Don't look down: the most dangerous hikes in the world

Don't look down: the most dangerous hikes in the world

Not only dizzying heights make these hikes the most dangerous in the world. Prepare for these hair -raising hikes for extreme weather, breaking off volcanoes and dangerous wild animals

We are back from Ethiopia and thought that we would update the most dangerous hikes in the world to record our latest dizzying adventure, the Abuna Yemata Guh hike.

Abuna Yemata Guh, Ethiopia

greatest danger: narrow rocky promotes, deep abysses and barefoot hiking

This church, hewn in the rock in the Gheralta region in Ethiopia, has been carved into the side of a vertical rock tower, which drops 200 m (650 ft) on all sides. To achieve it, hikers have to climb a steep rock wall and walk along a steep rocky lead, all barefoot, since shoes are not allowed on Ethiopia's holy sites. In fact, Abuna Yemata Guh is the least accessible prayer place in the world.

The first part of the hike is relatively gentle: steep, but quite feasible. However, hikers soon come across a steep area where ropes are required. Here climbers have to take off their shoes. Finally, a precarious narrow lead must be overcome, which immerse yourself in a hole in the rock face before you triumphantly penetrate the most accessible church in the world.

Further literature: Vertical Ethiopia, Climbing Toward Possibility am Horn by Africa

Shackletons Route, South Georgia Island, South Atlantic/Antarctic

greatest danger: exposure, glacier columns and a very remote location

alt = “most dangerous hiking shackleton route”> David Stanley; CC BY-SA 2.0 on the footsteps of legends on South Georgia Island

On May 20, 1916, Sir Ernest Shackleton and two others stumbled into the whaling station on the island of South Georgia, starved, exhausted and suffering under extreme stress. They had just done the very first crossing of South Georgia. The classic survival story of Shackleton and his team symbolizes this time of heroic research by Antarctica.

Today, guided expeditions follow one of the most dangerous hikes in the world that crosses this treacherous, wind -whipped and mountainous remote island. The hike takes place in the form of a "self -contained" expedition, in which customers have to wear their own clothes, meals, fuel and tents. No Sherpas here!

Further literature: Endurance: Shackletons Incredible trip

Darién Gap, Panama and Colombia

greatest danger: unknown jungle, kidnapping risk and toxic flora and fauna

alt = “most dangerous hike-8 ″> Dream time Not mapped: The Darién Gap is between 100 km and 160 km (60-100 miles) long

researchers, but the results were mostly catastrophic. The wild tropical forest has defeated travelers for centuries.

of the 48,000 km long Pan American Highway, which extends from Alaska to the end of the world in Argentina, holds the record for the longest accessible street in the world. However, there is a gap on the way where Panama meets Colombia. The gap is between 100 km and 160 km (60-100 miles) and there is no simple way. You can take the ferry around it or ... you could hike it. But you will probably die.

The route is often used for drug and human trafficking and the Colombian Farc rebels were once active in the region (and may still be). The area is also the home of some rather unpleasant wild animals, including the poisonous Panamaic gold frog, deadly jungle body and the rather unpleasant black palm.

Further literature: Crossing the Darien Gap (a daring journey through a bustling and enchanting and streetless jungle that is the only land connection between North America and South America)

The Labyrinth, USA

greatest danger: fall floods, rockfall and disorientation

alt = “most dangerous hike-utah”> Dave Riggs; CC BY-SA 2.0 The labyrinth in Utah is susceptible to fall floods

The Canyonlands National Park in Utah houses the rocky labyrinth, which is known as a Maze, the least accessible district of the popular national park. The mess of colorful gorges is rugged, deep and you can easily get lost in it. The GPS is often unreliable and the area is susceptible to fall floods and stone strikes - think of the gorge driver Aron Ralston, which is shown in the film for 127 hours. If you go, take a pocket knife with you. Out!

Further literature: between a rock and a hard place

Berg Hua Shan, China

greatest danger: shaky wooden platforms, vertical stairs and tricky handles

alt = “It is estimated that Mount Hua Shan demands 100 fatalities every year”> Dream time It is estimated that Mount Hua Shan demands 100 fatalities every year

The western mountain of the five large mountains of China has a long history of religious importance ... and death. There are no official statistics on deaths on the Hua Shan mountain, but it was estimated that the mountain demands about 100 fatalities per year! The paths to the highest point of the South Peak at 2,154 m (7,000 ft) includes steep stairs, vertical climbs and "paths", which consist of wooden platforms that are screwed to the mountain slope.

Further literature: Heavenly Empire: The yellow mountains of China

snowman hike, bhutan

greatest danger: capricious weather, extreme cold and altitude disease

alt = “most dangerous hike-bhutan”> CC BY-SA 2.0 Gangkhar summit in Bhutan seen from Snowman Trek

This is one of the most dangerous hikes in the world, since through hikers have to remain over 4,000 m (13,000 feet) over a longer period of time. A longer stay at this height can lead to acute mountain disease (AMS) or even altitude edema (HAPE). In addition, the steep climbs, the high passports (total 11), the seclusion of the place and the always moody weather conditions ensure an extremely challenging hike.

Further literature: Beyond heaven and earth: a trip to Bhutan

Vulkan Pacaya, Guatemala

greatest danger: melted lava, toxic vapors and crumbling terrain

alt = "most dangerous hiking pacaya"> Greg Willis; CC BY-SA 2.0 on Pacaya it can get hot

After the Pacaya volcano has been inactive for over a century, it broke out violently in 1965 and has been breaking out regularly since then. The volcano, which is only 30 km (19 miles) southwest of Guatemala City, is a popular tourist destination, at which guided groups pay a fee to be driven up to a crater. But that's not the most active (or most dangerous) crater on Pacaya.

The original “path” was officially closed to tourists, although hard -boiled hikers still take the hidden hike to the top of the primary slag cone of the mountain. It is best done at night when the lava flows are easier to see.

Further literature: Silence on the mountain: Stories of terror, betrayal and forgetting in Guatemala

Chadar Trek, India

greatest danger: severe cold and crossing frozen rivers

alt = “The most dangerous hikes in the world chadar”> ProPartha Chowdhury; CC BY-SA 2.0 A hiker along the icy river Zanskar

One of the toughest hikes in India is also one of the most dangerous hikes in the world. The route requires that hikers cross the frozen river Zanskar, where the annoying sound of the gurgling water can be heard directly under the ice blanket.

On the other side of the river, hikers still cannot relax. Much of the remaining route is to shuffle along the slippery rocks that line the river bank. The average temperatures are below freezing and fall to -35 ° C (-30 ° F) at night when hikers usually sleep under tapering icicles in caves. Expect that your nerves will be in good and correct if you can do it to the end.

Further literature: Trekking in Ladakh

el Caminito del Rey, Spain

greatest danger: narrow sidewalks over a 100 m (330 feet) deep abyss to the below

alt = "The most dangerous hike-el-camito"> gabi; CC BY-SA 2.0 A climber under the way to El Caminito del Rey

Spain's answer to the Mount Hua Shan in China, El Caminito del Rey (the small path of the king), is no longer the daring hike that she was once, but she still gets the adrenaline in the gone. The 3 km long concrete and steel path was built over 100 years ago to serve the workers of a local hydropower plant.

The sidewalk fell and was officially closed for a decade. After extensive restoration, it was reopened in 2015. Once known as the "most dangerous hike in the world", after five deaths in 1999 and 2000, it is now developing into a popular tourist attraction.

Further literature: Rick Steves Snapshot Sevilla, Granada & South Spain

West Coast Trail, Canada

greatest danger: steep conductor sections, storms and animal attacks

alt = “most dangerous hike-canada”> Dream time One of the "more stable" paths that are now available

Despite a relatively low mortality rate compared to some other hikes on this list, the long, almost vertical ladder sections of the West Coast Trail make him a real hiking trail for thrills. The terrain is consistently uneven.

hikers should be prepared to wade through rivers, climb over steep slopes and be prepared for slippery conditions. Storms regularly damage the paths and structures, which makes them even more dangerous or often impassable. Oh, and did I mention that you can meet one or the other bear or puma on the way?

Further literature: Blister and Bliss: A Trekker’s Guide to the West Coast Trail

Drakensberg-Traversse, South Africa

greatest danger: exposed rock walls, shaky chain ladders and bandits

alt = “most dangerous hike-southfrika”> dream time cathedral peak in the Drakensbergen

Until recently, the "only" was that a hiker had to worry about, the terrifying mortality rate for which this hike was famous. By the end of 1985, 55 people died on the route - almost always by falling. For some reason, there have been no official figures since 1985, although deaths are reported almost every year. For this reason, the route is considered one of the most dangerous hikes in the world.

In order to increase the dangers, reports on hikers appeared in May 2016, which were attacked and robbed by bandits, the clubs swing and were accompanied by wild dogs. Judging by the comments in some reports, it was not an isolated incident that reaffirmed the place of the Drakensberge among the most dangerous hikes in the world.

Further literature: Hiking in the Drakensbergen: 75 hikes in the Khalamba-Drakensberg-Park

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