Hiking is among the most popular pastimes in the world, and most hikers tend to like trails that don’t take every ounce of their energy and determination to get through. But there are those few that like to be faced with a challenge and want to be able to say that they pushed through and made it to areas that few will ever be able to see with their own eyes.
This is why tough and sometimes even dangerous hiking trails come into play. These are trails that are meant for the seriously tough hikers that are accustomed to walking many hours per day, often over rough terrain, including steep vertical climbs and temperamental weather.
The Amphitheatre Trail
Set at over 3000 metres above sea level in the famous Drakensberg Mountains of South Africa, this trail is widely considered to be one of the most beautiful in the world, with incredible views of mountain tops, as well as one of the most incredible waterfalls in the world. In fact, it is one of the highest falls of any hiking trail, but viewing it means having to climb chain ladders, one of 10 metres and the other of 20 metres. Despite the fact the the chains are regularly maintained and checked, it remains an extremely dangerous hike, especially for inexperienced hikers.
Half Dome Mountain
The world-famous Half Dome is situated in the equally renown Yosemite Park, and it almost 3000 metres above sea level. In the past, it was almost impossible to make any serious progress on this trail, but a system of ropes that were installed in recent years had made the route that much more accessible.
Half Dome is visited by thousands of people every year, but not all of them are able to reach the summit. It can take around 12 hours of hard walking and climbing in order to complete the hike, which includes reaching Half Dome and then making it back to the starting point, and for some it might be easier to stay behind and enjoy real money online roulette in Australia.
Mount Huashan Trail
The Mount Huashan trail, which can be found in the country of China, is definitely not for those that tend to feel a bit uneasy when high up. Mount Huashan is part of the five sacred mountains within China, and it’s common to find pilgrims climbing to the monastery, which can be found relatively close to the summit of the mountain.
The trail is open to anyone, however, and people from all over the world fly out to China to have their go at this trail, although not everyone succeeds, and it’s often regarded as one of the most dangerous hiking trails in the world.
Some other notable mentions include the Caminito Del Ray, the Pacaya Volcano Trail, and the Tianmen Glass Trail, all of which are best suited for seasoned hikers seeking a serious challenge.