10 of the World’s Most Terrifying Hikes

While hiking is often considered a gentler option compared to mountaineering, it’s far from always being a simple stroll in nature. Some trails are genuinely spine-chilling, whether due to extreme physical hazards like steep cliffs or the psychological dread they evoke. These ten intimidating hikes don’t require expertise in advanced climbing gear—just sturdy boots and an unyielding sense of bravery.

1. Mount Ijen // East Java, Indonesia

At the summit of Mount Ijen lies a stunning turquoise lake, though swimming in it is ill-advised. This volcano is home to the world’s largest acidic lake, its high sulfur content creating a toxic environment. The sulfur gases ignite into vivid blue flames, attracting adventurous hikers. However, the air inside the crater is hazardous, necessitating the use of gas masks for safety.

While the hike itself isn’t particularly strenuous for those with moderate fitness, hiring a guide is highly recommended. They can help you stay calm if you’re surrounded by sulfuric fumes and provide safer employment for locals who might otherwise work in hazardous sulfur mines.

2. Trift Glacier Hike // Gadmen, Switzerland

If the iconic rope bridge scene in Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom (1984) makes you nervous, the Trift Glacier Hike might not be for you. This trail in the Swiss Alps features a suspension bridge that towers 328 feet above the ground and stretches 558 feet across. The bridge, which appears precarious but is entirely safe, crosses Lake Triftsee, formed by the melting glacier. Most hikers take a cable car partway up the mountain, followed by a two-hour trek to reach the bridge and glacier.

3. Mount Hua Plank Walk // Huayin, China

The Mount Hua Plank Walk is often dubbed the most dangerous hike in the world. Situated on South Peak, the mountain’s highest point at 7070 feet, the trail consists of narrow wooden planks bolted to the cliffside. With no guardrails, hikers rely on a safety harness and an iron chain to steady themselves as they navigate this heart-pounding path.

The wooden planks were initially installed over 700 years ago by a Taoist priest named He Zhizhen. While they’ve been modernized over time, the precarious-looking planks still evoke a sense of danger. The trail leads to a small Taoist temple carved into the mountainside, but since it’s a dead end, hikers must retrace their steps across the planks to return.

While the plank walk is Mount Hua’s most renowned feature, the other routes on the mountain are equally harrowing. Hikers face nearly vertical stone steps, referred to as “sky ladders,” and narrow paths where a single misstep could result in a fatal plunge off the mountainside.

4. Doll’s Head Trail // Atlanta, Georgia

A visit to Constitution Lakes Park reveals an unexpected sight along its 2.5-mile trail: eerie doll heads and other discarded items transformed into artistic installations. Joel Slaton, a local artist, began crafting these displays in 2011 using debris found in the park. Visitors are encouraged to create their own unsettling arrangements but must use only materials found within the park and avoid disturbing existing exhibits. “The trail is now public art, built by the public,” Slaton remarked in 2019.

5. Aokigahara Forest // Narusawa, Japan

Aokigahara, often referred to as the “suicide forest,” is believed to witness between 30 to 100 suicides annually within its dense woods near Mount Fuji. It ranks as the second-most common site for suicides globally, trailing only San Francisco’s Golden Gate Bridge. Efforts to prevent tragedies include posted warnings and organized searches to recover bodies.

The forest’s thick foliage makes it easy to get disoriented, and the iron-rich soil disrupts GPS and phone signals. Beyond the fear of getting lost or encountering a body, Aokigahara is also rumored to be haunted. Supernatural enthusiasts should be wary of yūrei, spirits in Japanese folklore said to arise from violent deaths.

6. Angels Landing // Zion National Park, Utah

Angels Landing is a highly sought-after trail in Zion National Park, yet it’s also one of the most perilous, having claimed 14 lives since 2000. The hike involves traversing a narrow ridge with sheer 1000-foot drops on both sides, making it unsuitable for those with a fear of heights. Chains are provided for support in the narrowest sections, and those who brave the trek are rewarded with breathtaking views of the park.

7. Mount Nyiragongo // Virunga National Park, Democratic Republic of the Congo

Among the few active volcanoes open to hikers, Mount Nyiragongo stands out as one of the most hazardous. Its crater contains the world’s largest lava lake, spanning approximately 820 feet in width and reaching depths of up to 1970 feet. The volcano’s eruptions, which occur every few decades, have caused significant devastation in nearby Goma—the most recent eruption in May 2021 occurred without warning.

Despite the risks, the allure of witnessing the bubbling lava lake attracts adventurers. Scaling its 11,385-foot summit is no small feat, and the lava’s visibility isn’t guaranteed. Park rangers caution visitors: Do not lean over the edge, as several fatalities have occurred due to such actions.

8. The Darién Gap // Colombia–Panama border

Venturing into a rainforest is inherently challenging, but the Darién Gap, spanning the Colombia-Panama border, is arguably the most perilous rainforest trek. Despite its dangers, 250,000 migrants crossed it in 2022 en route to the United States, seeking better opportunities. Known as the gap, this 66-mile stretch is the only break in the Pan-American Highway, as plans to construct a road were abandoned due to high costs and environmental concerns.

Navigating the dense jungle requires crossing rivers, swamps, and steep slopes, often in sweltering heat. The region is also home to hazardous wildlife, including disease-spreading insects and venomous snakes. Historical attempts by 16th- and 17th-century colonists to conquer the gap failed, and many explorers have perished there over the years.

The most accessible path through the rainforest is controlled by the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC), a guerrilla group. This route is also exploited by smugglers transporting drugs and weapons. Simply put, travelers face a real threat of violence when crossing the Darién Gap.

9. Abuna Yemata Guh // East Tigray, Ethiopia

Ethiopia is home to numerous rock-hewn churches, with Abuna Yemata Guh being one of the most awe-inspiring. Perched on a cliff face hundreds of feet above the ground, reaching the church involves a valley hike followed by a barefoot climb up the cliff. Guides assist by pointing out secure handholds and footholds, but the sacred nature of the site requires visitors to ascend without shoes.

While a fall would certainly be fatal, no deaths have been reported so far. “The path is blessed,” stated Father Assefa, who has climbed it daily for more than 50 years, in a 2019 interview. “Our patron saint protects those who fall, using his wind to return them safely to the ledge.” After scaling the cliff, visitors must carefully edge along a narrow path with a sheer drop on one side to reach the church’s entrance.

10. Caminito del Rey Hike // Málaga, Spain

For those seeking the thrill of traversing a vertical cliff without extreme danger, Caminito del Rey in Spain is the ideal destination. Originally, the hike relied on narrow concrete pathways, but over time, these deteriorated, leaving hazardous remnants. The trail was declared illegal in 2000 after five fatalities, though some adventurous hikers continued to brave the risks.

In 2015, a new wooden walkway with essential guardrails was introduced. This 328-foot-high path stretches nearly two miles through a stunning gorge, providing an exhilarating experience without the danger of falling.