20 Most Challenging/Deadly Treks, Hikes & Climbs In The World

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Since you’re here reading this blog I can only assume that like me, you love to walk/trek. We have our favorite local walks, we go on walking holidays and hike alone, or with friends, but have you ever thought about really challenging yourself ?

I’ve listed 20 toughest walks in the World below, some of which are pretty dangerous and are certainly to be approached with caution. From the Snowmen Trek to the Longs Peak; discover these 20 Unbelievable Adventurous Treks, Hikes & Climbs in the World that are not only tough but ultimately rewarding.

1) The Snowmen Trek, Bhutan

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The trek is widely regarded as one of the hardest treks in the Himalayas and in the World. This is largely due to its huge length of 350 km (approx. 218 mi) having an altitude of 5,332 meters (nearly 17,500 ft), and the fact that 11 high passes must be crossed.


2) The Darien Gap, Panama and Colombia

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The Pan-American highway goes from the southern tip of Chile all the way to Alaska with one exception – the 90 km (56 mi) Darien gap that connects North and South America has a dangerous reputation. Filled with impassable swamps, drug cartels, human trafficking and some of the most disagreeable conditions on the face of the Earth, only the suicidal should attempt this one.


3) Huayna Picchu, Peru

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Hiking to Machu Picchu is one thing. But continuing past Machu Picchu mountain and up to Huayna Picchu mountain is another. Also known as the “Hike of Death”, “Wayna Picchu”, the climb up this mountain is difficult and dizzying, and takes several casualties every year. In fact, Huayna Picchu, which means “Young Peak”, culminates at 2,693 m (8,835 ft). The bird’s eye view of Machu Picchu is supposedly worth it.

 

4) Mount Huashan, China

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Appropriately called “Death Trail”, Mount Huashan stands 2,154 m (7,066 ft) tall and is the most steep mountain under paradise. Every year over 100 people die in this pilgrimage. 

 

5) Kokoda Track, Papua New Guinea

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The scene of intense fighting during World War II, this trek hasn’t stopped taking lives which links the Southern and Northern coast of Papua New Guinea. Between malaria, extreme hot humid days, cold nights, poisonous plants and unstable terrain, only the fittest and bravest should attempt to complete this 130 km (81 mi) jungle hike which takes 4-11 days to complete.

 

6) North Drakensberg Traverse, South Africa

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Things get serious when two shaky chain ladders take hikers to the top of a ridge. Animal tracks, footprints and rocks at the top will get you going the right way. This trail ranges between 220-240 km (about 150 mi). The views are worth it but don’t be fooled…lives are lost every year.

 

7) Cascade Saddle Walk, New Zealand

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Made famous by The Lord of the Rings movies, this place really is beautiful. The trail is popular in the summer but the winter is a whole different story - the 32 km (20 mi) hike through a forest and meadows is very slippery. The danger, however, should not be underestimated and a local coroner even demanded that officials close the area down in 2014 due to a high number of casualties.

 

8) Aonach Eagach Ridge, Scotland

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It’s probably not the first place that you would look for dangerous trails, but this 10 km (6.2 mi) mountain walk offers no way down except through if the weather turns bad (which it often does). As you might expect, accidents are common.

 

9) Chadar Trek -Himalayas, India

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One of the toughest and famous treks in India, the Chadar Trek lasts approximately 6-10 days and reaches altitudes up to 10,900 ft (3,322 m). This trek requires crossing over the frozen river of Zanskar Valley, which can be a solid sheet of ice which sometimes breaks due to shifting of river and the only way to continue on is by way of slippery rocks along the riverside. The temperature can reach below -35° Celsius at night.


10) Pacaya Volcano, Guatemala

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Having an altitude of 2,552 m (8,373 ft), this active volcano has been closed recently due to numerous casualties on its slopes, stubborn hikers still access the peak from nearby local farms.

11) Wendenstock, Switzerland

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With narrow and often slippery paths that can be hard to differentiate from their surroundings, one wrong move here is likely the last wrong move you’ll ever make.

12) Sahara Desert Trek

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Although crossing the Sahara encircles about a hundred different routes, there is no desert on Earth that people try to cross more often than this one. Unfortunately a good bit of those crossings are unsuccessful.

13) West Coast Trek, Canada

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Originally called the Dominion Lifesaving Trek, is a 75 km backpacking Trek. Between wild animals, narrow canyons, and shaky wooden ladders this is the perfect place to tempt fate.

14) Devil's Path, New York

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Here’s another path that hikers typically underestimate. With no visible dangers, the winding and slippery track leads to at least 1 death yearly. The total length of trek is 38.9 km (24.2 mi)

15) Rover's Run Trek, Alaska

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Also known as Mellen’s Way Trek, total length of 2.6 km (1.6 mi). As compared to geography this trail is relatively less dangerous compared to the rest of the list. It’s the bear attack that ruins things though. Local officials have even considered closing the area off.

16) Mount Washington, New Hampshire

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Also called Agiocochook by some Native American tribes, is the highest peak in the Northeastern United States at 6,288.2 ft (1,916.6 m). The mountain is well-known for its erratic weather. With the Mount Washington Observatory laying claim to “the world’s worst weather”, numerous naive hikers have started up in shorts and a t-shirt only to get hypothermia half way.

17) Kalalau Valley Trek, Hawaii

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Sure, this 11 mile (8 km) trek through heaven seems beautiful, and it usually is…but rock falls, slippery ledges, and hoodlums (yes, drug dealers have been known to mug hikers) abound. The trek has been named one of the most beautiful, and dangerous, hikes of the United States.

18) Angel's Landing Hike, Utah

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Previously known as the Temple of Aeolus, is a 1,488 foot (453.5 m) tall rock formation,  is an unforgettable short adventure hike worthy of your bucket lists. With extremely narrow paths only wide enough for one person, people fall every year.

19) Mist Trail, California

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One of the most popular short trails in California which takes 5-6 hours to cover 7.3 miles (11.8 km) round trip. During poor weather conditions, the portion of the trail that ascends over slippery, wet granite steps is always crowded, with no handrails, and huge steps that were probably made for mules, not people. 

20) Longs Peak, Colorado

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As one of Colorado’s most dangerous and deadliest peaks, thanks to both the difficult 14.5 mile (23.3 km) climb and huge drops. The first half of the hike is deceptively easy, while the second half is deathly hard. It recorded 70% deaths from falls alone and the other 30% are said to have come from exhaustion, hypothermia, and cardiac arrest.


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