The World’s 20 Most Dangerous (But Beautiful) Hiking Trails

Widely cited as the most dangerous trail in the world, this path consists of narrow wooden planks bolted directly into a vertical cliff face thousands of feet above the ground.

Originally built for hydroelectric workers, this narrow walkway pinned to the steep walls of the El Chorro gorge offers heart-stopping views of the river below.

A world-famous trek that concludes with a narrow sandstone ridge where hikers must hold onto anchored chains to navigate drops of over a thousand feet on either side.

Traversing the lush Na Pali Coast, this trail features 'Crawler's Ledge,' a narrow passage where crumbling rock and steep drops meet the crashing waves of the Pacific.

Rising behind Machu Picchu, this steep climb includes the 'Stairs of Death,' ancient Incan steps that are often slippery and lack handrails, leading to unparalleled views.

A high-altitude trek known for its vertical chain ladders and extreme weather changes, crossing the rugged escarpment between South Africa and Lesotho.

A labyrinth of red rock canyons so remote and confusing that it requires expert navigation skills and self-sufficiency to avoid becoming lost in its desert depths.

The narrowest ridge on the British mainland, offering a classic scramble where hikers are exposed to significant drops while navigating the jagged spine above Glen Coe.

A hair-raising trail across steep mountainsides covered in wet grass and loose rock, demanding extreme concentration and technical skill in the Swiss Alps.

Famed for having some of the world's worst weather, this peak features erratic winds and sudden temperature drops that challenge even the most experienced hikers.

The final ascent of this Yosemite icon involves pulling oneself up a steep granite face using steel cables, a daunting task that becomes lethal during thunderstorms.

A rugged coastal trek featuring over 70 wooden ladders, rickety bridges, and the constant threat of rogue waves and large predators like cougars and bears.

An 'iron path' consisting of ladders and cables installed during the Great War, allowing hikers to scale sheer limestone walls in the heart of the Dolomites.

A dramatic rock formation jutting out horizontally 2,300 feet above Lake Ringedalsvatnet, reachable only via a long and demanding mountain hike.

A boulder wedged in a mountain crevice over a 3,000-foot drop; standing on it is a rite of passage for thrill-seekers visiting the Lysefjord region.

Often called the toughest hike in the Eastern US, this trail involves relentless elevation changes and steep rock scrambles through the Catskill Mountains.

The highest via ferrata in the world, this route takes hikers across suspension bridges and vertical walls at an altitude of over 12,000 feet.

The Keyhole Route on this Colorado 'fourteener' involves vertical exposure and narrow ledges that require careful footing to reach the sprawling summit.

A steep alpine pass in Mount Aspiring National Park known for its slippery slopes and breathtaking views of the Dart Glacier and surrounding peaks.

Known as the most difficult long-distance trail in Europe, this rugged path crosses the crystalline spine of Corsica with steep, chain-assisted scrambles.