Here are the most adrenaline pumping Hiking Trails and Bridges from around the world. Do you think you have the guts to attempt one of these? Get ready to face your fears, and for some, these trails could be your lifetime adventure.
El Caminito del Rey, Spain (World’s Deadliest Pathway)
‘El Caminito del Rey’ in spanish means “The King’s Little Pathway”. Its a crumbling walkway pinned along the walls of El Chorro, a huge limestone gorge near Álora, situated above the Guadalhorce river. Its a narrow walkway located on the steep walls of a gorge in Ardales, near Malaga in Spain. Considered to be the ‘most dangerous path in the world’, the Spanish authorities officially closed the trail in 2000 after five people fell to their deaths in less than two years.
Adrenlaine junkies however have reason to rejoice now as the ‘World’s deadliest walkway’ reopened to the public after undergoing years of repair work to make it structurally safe.
Trift Bridge, Switzerland
This one is in Switzerland, and feels somewhat less scary. Though the bridge sways a bit in windy conditions, it seems to be built well. Trift Bridge, above the Trift gorge, is the longest pedestrian-only suspension bridge in the Alps (if not in Europe). Enjoy the magnificent surroundings.
Yosemite’s Half Dome, USA
Thousands of hikers reach the summit of ‘Half Dome in Yosemite’ each year by following an 8 mile-long trail, including several hundred feet of granite stairs and miles of switch backs. The last 400 vertical feet are ascended with the aid of two metal cables.
Angels Landing, USA
Angels Landing (formerly ‘Temple of Aeolus’) is located in Zion National Park, Utah. Known as ‘Angels landing’ because it was once believed that only angels could land on it. But now, lot of people go on this trail. The dangerous section of the trail begins after Scout Lookout; this last half-mile is a series of narrow rock steps (less than 2 feet). The trail drops 800 feet on one side and 1,200 on the other.
Haiku Stairs, Hawaii
Located in the island of Oahu, Hawaii, many also call it the ‘Stairway to Heaven’. Currently off-limits to the public due to safety concerns, many hikers still ascend the stairs in pitch dark to avoid getting caught.
Keshwa Chaca, Peru
Next we head to South America, where ‘Keshwa Chaca’, a handwoven bridge above the Apurimac River. It’s believed to be the last remaining Inca rope bridge. Even though a wider and safer bridge has been built for normal use, many use Keshwa Chaca as a means of keeping the tradition alive and honoring their ancestors.
Inca Trail to Machu Picchu: Stairs of Death, Peru
The world-wide famous Inca Trail to Machu Picchu (World Heritage site) involves climbing lots of steep and narrow stairs, with several floating steps. Build by the Incans, who are considered to be master builders, engineers & great mathematicians. Fancy yourself standing on one of those floating steps?
Heaven’s Gate, Glass Skywalk Trail, China
Situated at the Tianmen Mountain National Forest Park, and often referred to as the “the soul of Zhangjiajie”, one has to climb 999 steps to reach the top of Heaven’s Gate. You may take the Big Gate Road, aka Heaven Linking Avenue, or reach the Heaven’s Gate by cable car. The Glass Skywalk Trail, the highest of its kind in the world, is another breathtaking attraction at the park; its constructed using only transparent glass.
Hussaini Bridge, Pakistan
Located above Lake Borit, in the Upper Hunza, the Hussaini Bridge attracts countless hikers who’re looking for some adventure. Looks scary? Well, locals who live around and need to travel to a nearby town or village cross the Hussaini Bridge regularly.
Hua Shan Trail, China
Mount Hua Shan is one of China’s five sacred mountains and is also known as “the Number One Precipitous Mountain under Heaven”. Considered as one of the most dangerous hiking trails in the world, there’s a chain around the cliff, so pack a harness or rent one from the base if you plan to hike this peak.
