The world's toughest hiking trails

Mount Huashan, China

Mount Huashan, China, West Coast Trail, Vancouver Island, Canada, Inca Trail, Machu Picchu to Huayna Picchu, Peru, GR20, Corsica, France, Cascade Saddle Route, New Zealand, Half Dome, Yosemite National Park, California, Drakensberg Grand Traverse, South Africa, Kokoda Track, Papua New Guinea, Rover's Run Trail, Alaska, Mount Washington, New Hampshire, Kalalau Trail, Hawaii, Aonach Eagach, Scotland

One of the sacred Daoist mountains of China is also home to the most extreme precipices. Often referred to as "the deadliest hike in the world," this hike is definitely not for the fainthearted.

West Coast Trail, Vancouver Island, Canada

Mount Huashan, China, West Coast Trail, Vancouver Island, Canada, Inca Trail, Machu Picchu to Huayna Picchu, Peru, GR20, Corsica, France, Cascade Saddle Route, New Zealand, Half Dome, Yosemite National Park, California, Drakensberg Grand Traverse, South Africa, Kokoda Track, Papua New Guinea, Rover's Run Trail, Alaska, Mount Washington, New Hampshire, Kalalau Trail, Hawaii, Aonach Eagach, Scotland

The 47-mile (75-km) hike along the Strait of Juan de Fuca is beautiful. But hikers will have to face over 100 ladders, deep mud, bodies of water, and sometimes inclement weather conditions.

Inca Trail, Machu Picchu to Huayna Picchu, Peru

Mount Huashan, China, West Coast Trail, Vancouver Island, Canada, Inca Trail, Machu Picchu to Huayna Picchu, Peru, GR20, Corsica, France, Cascade Saddle Route, New Zealand, Half Dome, Yosemite National Park, California, Drakensberg Grand Traverse, South Africa, Kokoda Track, Papua New Guinea, Rover's Run Trail, Alaska, Mount Washington, New Hampshire, Kalalau Trail, Hawaii, Aonach Eagach, Scotland

The famous Incan ruins of Machu Picchu are a must-visit in Peru. For many, the visit also involves the trail to Huayna Picchu.

Mount Huashan, China, West Coast Trail, Vancouver Island, Canada, Inca Trail, Machu Picchu to Huayna Picchu, Peru, GR20, Corsica, France, Cascade Saddle Route, New Zealand, Half Dome, Yosemite National Park, California, Drakensberg Grand Traverse, South Africa, Kokoda Track, Papua New Guinea, Rover's Run Trail, Alaska, Mount Washington, New Hampshire, Kalalau Trail, Hawaii, Aonach Eagach, Scotland

Over the years, many tourists have succumbed to the "Hike of Death." The reasons include heart attacks, falls, and incidents involving rock falls, among others.

GR20, Corsica, France

Mount Huashan, China, West Coast Trail, Vancouver Island, Canada, Inca Trail, Machu Picchu to Huayna Picchu, Peru, GR20, Corsica, France, Cascade Saddle Route, New Zealand, Half Dome, Yosemite National Park, California, Drakensberg Grand Traverse, South Africa, Kokoda Track, Papua New Guinea, Rover's Run Trail, Alaska, Mount Washington, New Hampshire, Kalalau Trail, Hawaii, Aonach Eagach, Scotland

As with other dangerous hikes in this gallery, many people have died throughout the years hiking through GR20. In 2015, seven trekkers lost their lives in a landslide in the steep Cirque de la Solitude.

Cascade Saddle Route, New Zealand

Mount Huashan, China, West Coast Trail, Vancouver Island, Canada, Inca Trail, Machu Picchu to Huayna Picchu, Peru, GR20, Corsica, France, Cascade Saddle Route, New Zealand, Half Dome, Yosemite National Park, California, Drakensberg Grand Traverse, South Africa, Kokoda Track, Papua New Guinea, Rover's Run Trail, Alaska, Mount Washington, New Hampshire, Kalalau Trail, Hawaii, Aonach Eagach, Scotland

According to a 2020 report, between 2007 and 2019, 65 hikers have died on the Cascade Saddle Route.

Half Dome, Yosemite National Park, California

Mount Huashan, China, West Coast Trail, Vancouver Island, Canada, Inca Trail, Machu Picchu to Huayna Picchu, Peru, GR20, Corsica, France, Cascade Saddle Route, New Zealand, Half Dome, Yosemite National Park, California, Drakensberg Grand Traverse, South Africa, Kokoda Track, Papua New Guinea, Rover's Run Trail, Alaska, Mount Washington, New Hampshire, Kalalau Trail, Hawaii, Aonach Eagach, Scotland

At least 13 deaths have been reported since 2005. This includes people slipping under the cable handrails and falling to their deaths.

Drakensberg Grand Traverse, South Africa

Mount Huashan, China, West Coast Trail, Vancouver Island, Canada, Inca Trail, Machu Picchu to Huayna Picchu, Peru, GR20, Corsica, France, Cascade Saddle Route, New Zealand, Half Dome, Yosemite National Park, California, Drakensberg Grand Traverse, South Africa, Kokoda Track, Papua New Guinea, Rover's Run Trail, Alaska, Mount Washington, New Hampshire, Kalalau Trail, Hawaii, Aonach Eagach, Scotland

Countless people have died on the trail, but every year hikers are attracted by its breathtaking landscapes.

Kokoda Track, Papua New Guinea

Mount Huashan, China, West Coast Trail, Vancouver Island, Canada, Inca Trail, Machu Picchu to Huayna Picchu, Peru, GR20, Corsica, France, Cascade Saddle Route, New Zealand, Half Dome, Yosemite National Park, California, Drakensberg Grand Traverse, South Africa, Kokoda Track, Papua New Guinea, Rover's Run Trail, Alaska, Mount Washington, New Hampshire, Kalalau Trail, Hawaii, Aonach Eagach, Scotland

In addition to the numerous dangers hikers are usually subject to in a jungle, there is also the human element.

Rover's Run Trail, Alaska

Mount Huashan, China, West Coast Trail, Vancouver Island, Canada, Inca Trail, Machu Picchu to Huayna Picchu, Peru, GR20, Corsica, France, Cascade Saddle Route, New Zealand, Half Dome, Yosemite National Park, California, Drakensberg Grand Traverse, South Africa, Kokoda Track, Papua New Guinea, Rover's Run Trail, Alaska, Mount Washington, New Hampshire, Kalalau Trail, Hawaii, Aonach Eagach, Scotland

Also known as Mellen's Way, this seemingly peaceful trail just outside of Anchorage is more dangerous than it looks.

Mount Washington, New Hampshire

Mount Huashan, China, West Coast Trail, Vancouver Island, Canada, Inca Trail, Machu Picchu to Huayna Picchu, Peru, GR20, Corsica, France, Cascade Saddle Route, New Zealand, Half Dome, Yosemite National Park, California, Drakensberg Grand Traverse, South Africa, Kokoda Track, Papua New Guinea, Rover's Run Trail, Alaska, Mount Washington, New Hampshire, Kalalau Trail, Hawaii, Aonach Eagach, Scotland

Mount Washington looks peaceful enough, so it might come as a surprise that from 1849 to 2019 there had been 161 deaths on the trails.

Kalalau Trail, Hawaii

Mount Huashan, China, West Coast Trail, Vancouver Island, Canada, Inca Trail, Machu Picchu to Huayna Picchu, Peru, GR20, Corsica, France, Cascade Saddle Route, New Zealand, Half Dome, Yosemite National Park, California, Drakensberg Grand Traverse, South Africa, Kokoda Track, Papua New Guinea, Rover's Run Trail, Alaska, Mount Washington, New Hampshire, Kalalau Trail, Hawaii, Aonach Eagach, Scotland

This beautiful park on the island of Kauai offers amazing views of the Pacific and the mountains, as well as access to gorgeous beaches.

Aonach Eagach, Scotland

Mount Huashan, China, West Coast Trail, Vancouver Island, Canada, Inca Trail, Machu Picchu to Huayna Picchu, Peru, GR20, Corsica, France, Cascade Saddle Route, New Zealand, Half Dome, Yosemite National Park, California, Drakensberg Grand Traverse, South Africa, Kokoda Track, Papua New Guinea, Rover's Run Trail, Alaska, Mount Washington, New Hampshire, Kalalau Trail, Hawaii, Aonach Eagach, Scotland

This 6-mile (9.5 km) hike will take you through the majestic landscapes of the Scottish Highlands. But being exposed to the elements and steep ridges make it quite a dangerous hike.

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