World’s Most Dangerous Hikes

1. Angel’s landing: Zion National Park, Utah:

This super narrow trail isn’t for the faint of heart. While the 5-mile round trip is pretty well kept—and even has some paved sections—the last half-mile really ramps up, climbing over 1,400 feet along a slippery sandstone ridge with steep drops on both sides. You can expect narrow ridges and steep drop-offs. The final stretch of the hike involves holding onto chains bolted into the ground for support as you finally reach the panoramic views promised at the top of the canyons.

Huashan Trail, China:

Listed under the world’s deadliest trails, the Huashan trail is located thousands of feet in the air at the side of the Huashan mountain. It involves traversing narrow wooden planks bolted to the side of a cliff while only hanging off it with a safety harness and chain for support. The trail leads to ancient temples and teahouses atop the mountain. If you’re an adrenaline junkie, you’ll love it here! But if heights make you uneasy, you might want to skip this trail.

Kalalau Trail, Hawaii:

This trail, on the Hawaiian island of Kauai, stretches 11 miles along the mountains surrounding the Na Pali coast. The trail includes narrow paths, steep cliffs, and unpredictable nature, which makes it quite difficult to traverse without the endurance and training. The views that you are treated to while on the trail and after finishing it are incredibly beautiful. Fueled by the fact that your hike ends at the stunning, crowdless Kalalau Beach, that is only accessible by the trail, it makes the whole experience a hundred times worth it if you’re not only looking for the thrills but are also in it for the beauty of nature.

Kokoda Track, Papua New Guinea:

Lace up your hiking boots for an unforgettable adventure through a forest. The Kokoda Track, stretching for about 60 miles of a single file trail from Port Moresby to Kokoda, is a rugged adventure through the Owen Stanley Range. Trekkers face heavy rain, roaring rivers, and slippery mud, with journeys lasting up to two weeks, warranting for some serious survival skills out in the woods. Training for about a year is recommended to prepare for the tropical heat and chilly nights. Remember, this stunning trail was once a fierce battleground during World War II.

The Maze, Canyonlands, Utah, United States

Located in Canyonlands National Park, The Maze is an extremely remote and intricate network of canyons where even a skilled map-reader has a chance of getting lost. The Maze is one of the hiking trails where you need to dust off those survival skills and put them to use. Less than 2,000 people visit this hiking trail every year due to its remote location and unpredictable and changing nature. It starts with long drives on dirt roads, before setting out into the deep gullies of the canyons. Here, rockfalls and flash floods are not uncommon. At the end of it, though, you get to see timeless landscapes and utterly isolated pathways.