A narrow ridge can make a short hike feel enormous. So can a remote canyon with no reliable water, or a mountain where the weather changes faster than you can descend. These are ten of the world’s scariest hiking trails, and the reasons they feel intimidating are very different.
This list mixes hikes I’ve tackled with routes still on my bucket list. The views draw me in, but the planning matters just as much: a permit does not remove exposure, a cable car does not guarantee the attraction you want is open, and a mountain hut does not make the route between huts straightforward.
Planning a 2027 trip? I’ve checked the access, booking and safety information below against official sources as of October 21, 2026. Where 2027 dates have been announced, I’ve included them; where they haven’t, I’ve kept that uncertainty clear. Start with the comparison tool, then read the full entry and the linked official notices before booking.
Angels Landing
- Time commitment
- 5.4 miles return; about 4 hours or longer
- Access and booking
- Lottery permit for the chains beyond Scout Lookout
- Main exposure
- Narrow ridge, steep drops and chains; wet or icy rock changes the decision
Hua Shan
- Time commitment
- Mountain day; route and cable-car choices change the walking time
- Access and booking
- Mountain admission and transport; plank walk access requires separate status and eligibility checks
- Main exposure
- Steep mountain paths; optional cliffside plank section
Caminito del Rey
- Time commitment
- 3–4 hours including approach and exit paths
- Access and booking
- Timed admission; minimum age 8; under-18s need an adult
- Main exposure
- Cliff walkways, steps and uneven approach paths
Kalalau Trail
- Time commitment
- 22 miles return; a backpacking trip with a full day each way
- Access and booking
- Camping permit beyond Hanakāpīʻai; arrange trailhead access separately
- Main exposure
- Unprotected coastal ledges, slippery ground and flash-flooding streams
The Maze
- Time commitment
- Usually at least 3 days; access alone takes hours
- Access and booking
- Overnight backcountry permit; maximum 5 backpackers per permit
- Main exposure
- Remote navigation, scarce water and steep slickrock/drop-offs
Drakensberg Grand Traverse
- Time commitment
- Roughly two weeks; distance and support depend on itinerary
- Access and booking
- Confirm park/overnight permissions and route-specific border arrangements
- Main exposure
- High, largely unmarked mountain terrain and changing weather
Cascade Saddle
- Time commitment
- Multi-day crossing; 8–10 hours from Aspiring Hut to Dart Hut alone
- Access and booking
- Plan huts, transfers and the exit with DOC; start from the Matukituki side
- Main exposure
- Very exposed alpine terrain, unbridged streams and sudden snow or low visibility
Huayna Picchu
- Time commitment
- Timed Circuit 3-A visit plus a steep mountain climb
- Access and booking
- Named Route 3-A ticket and original ID; follow city and mountain entry times
- Main exposure
- Steep Inca stairs and exposed sections, slippery when wet
Kokoda Track
- Time commitment
- Multi-day jungle trek; length and pace vary by operator
- Access and booking
- KTA trek permit and currently licensed operator
- Main exposure
- Steep, humid terrain, river crossings and remote evacuation
Mount Washington via Tuckerman Ravine
- Time commitment
- 8.4 miles return; 4,250 feet of ascent; a full mountain day
- Access and booking
- Check seasonal trail restrictions and summit facilities; snow changes the route
- Main exposure
- Rocky ledges above treeline, strong wind and fast-changing mountain weather
The World’s Scariest Hiking Trails
A managed cliff walkway, a permit-controlled ridge and a remote expedition need different plans. The entries below explain what makes each route demanding, what to arrange, and which current restrictions could change your trip.
1. Angels Landing, Zion National Park, Utah, USA
Angels Landing earns its reputation on the exposed ridge beyond Scout Lookout. I’ve done plenty of scary hikes, but this kind of exposure still deserves respect. NPS describes sections less than three feet wide, with chains to assist you and steep drops alongside. This is a place to be comfortable turning around, even after securing a permit. The official permit announcement explains the ridge and access system.
The NPS planning guide puts the hike at 5.4 miles round trip with 1,488 feet of ascent; allow about four hours or longer. Everyone continuing onto the chains needs a permit. The lottery application costs $6 for up to six people, then $3 per successful permit holder. The day-before lottery runs from 12:01 a.m. to 3 p.m. Mountain Time. Scout Lookout does not require this permit, but reaching it is still a strenuous hike.
For 2027: NPS has announced the winter cycle through February 28, 2027; its seasonal application window was October 1–20, 2026. Check the official page for later 2027 dates rather than assuming an old calendar applies. Match your permit’s start time at the Grotto with the shuttle timetable, carry the downloaded permit and ID, and leave the ridge alone in wet, icy or stormy conditions. A reservation is permission to enter, not a reason to push on.
- Read next: Beautiful Spots in Zion National Park
2. Hua Shan Trail, Huayin City, China
Mount Hua (Huashan) is absolutely insane, and I mean that in the best possible way. Its famous Changkong plank walk clings to the eastern flank of South Peak, but that optional attraction is only one part of the mountain. Your walking distance and climbing effort depend on the entrance, cable cars and peaks you choose; one mileage figure cannot describe every Huashan visit.
Check the plank walk’s status before planning a trip around it. An official September 2026 notice closed both the plank walk and Sparrowhawk Turn from September 15 for maintenance and safety upgrades, while other mountain areas remained open. Reopening requires a later announcement; no confirmed 2027 opening date was available for this update. Once reopening is confirmed, check the current reservation, harness and age/height requirements directly with the scenic area.
For travel from Xi’an, use China Railway 12306 to check Xi’an North–Huashan North trains for your date, then allow time for the station transfer and mountain queues. Decide whether you want North Peak or West Peak cable-car access before buying transport. Check each ticket’s inclusions and the last downhill service, and leave a generous return buffer. I’d plan the mountain visit so it still feels worthwhile if the plank section is unavailable.
- Read next: Most Beautiful Places to Visit in China
3. El Caminito del Rey, El Chorro, Spain
El Caminito del Rey still delivers serious cliff-walk thrills above the Desfiladero de los Gaitanes gorge. Allow about 3–4 hours for the full outing: the official 7.7-kilometer figure includes the approach and exit paths, rather than 7.7 kilometers of suspended walkway. It runs one way from Ardales in the north to El Chorro in the south, so plan your return transport when choosing where to park.
I’d recommend booking early through the official ticket site. The current listed prices are €10 for general admission and €18 for the official guided visit; recheck the rate and available dates when booking for 2027. Children under eight cannot enter, and under-18s need an accompanying adult and proof of age. The supplied helmet and suitable footwear are required. Renovated walkways still involve exposed heights, steps and uneven approach paths.
If you park near the northern access, walk to the entrance and use the shuttle after finishing; parking at the southern end means taking it before your walk. The operator FAQ lists a €2.50 same-day shuttle ticket, available online with admission or for cash from the driver. Allow time for the approach walk and arrive at the entrance 30 minutes before your slot. Check messages before travelling: wind, weather or maintenance can close the route.
- For more epic hikes: 13 EPIC Hiking Locations that Belong On Every Bucket List
4. Kalalau Trail, Kauai, Hawaii, USA
Access alert, checked October 21, 2026: DLNR’s current Nāpali Coast park notice says Kauaʻi camping remains closed following storms. Hāʻena’s day-use reopening does not mean Kalalau camping has reopened. The information below explains normal access rules; confirm a reopening before committing to a 2027 backpacking trip.
The Kalalau Trail follows the Nāpali cliffs for 11 miles each way, repeatedly dropping into valleys and climbing out again. State Parks allows a full day for the one-way walk. Beyond Hanakāpīʻai Valley, you need a valid overnight camping permit even if you intend to return the same day. Under the normal permit rules, reservations open 90 days ahead and cost $35 per nonresident per night, or $25 for Hawaiʻi residents. I once had to wait nearly a year for the dates I wanted; that was my experience of availability, not a one-year booking window.
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👉 Send me cheap 2026–2027 flightsFor the first two miles to Hanakāpīʻai, nonresidents still need Hāʻena entry and transport reservations. A Kalalau camping permit covers park entry, but overnight parking or a shuttle still needs arranging. The biggest planning mistake is treating the coastline as a beach walk: DLNR warns about narrow ledges, slippery footing, no cell coverage and fast-rising streams. Never cross a flooded stream. Swimming at Hanakāpīʻai is not recommended, and a commercial boat pickup at Kalalau is not a legal shortcut back.
- Read next: Beautiful Places in Kauai That Feel Unreal
5. The Maze, Canyonlands National Park, Utah, USA
The Maze is a remote district with multiple routes, not one signed hike. I spent four days there and barely scratched the surface. Its challenge is the combination of complicated navigation, steep slickrock and long distances from assistance. NPS says visits rarely last less than three days. This is a very different commitment from adding a short hike to a Moab sightseeing day.
Allow far more time for the approach than a road map suggests. Hans Flat Ranger Station is about 2½ hours from Green River; reaching the Maze canyons then takes another 3–6 hours in a suitable high-clearance 4WD. Those roads are unsuitable for inexperienced off-road drivers. There is no fuel, food or potable-water service in the district. Confirm your route’s water situation and road conditions with the park, carry a navigation backup, and plan for a delayed exit.
Overnight permits are required and are not free. The current NPS reservation fee is $36 per advance permit, plus $5 per person per night; backpacking groups in the Maze are limited to five. The published schedule releases permits seasonally, four months ahead, at 8 a.m. Mountain Time. Check the dates for your 2027 season before booking transport. I’d settle the route, water plan and vehicle capability first; securing a campsite does not solve the hard parts of this trip.
- Read next: 30-Day Utah National Park Road Trip
6. Drakensberg Grand Traverse, South Africa and Lesotho
The Drakensberg Grand Traverse is an expedition through high country along the border of South Africa and Lesotho. Guided itineraries commonly cover around 220–230 kilometers over roughly two weeks, but the exact distance depends on the route. Much of the walking is cross-country: navigation, weather judgment and carrying camping equipment are central to the challenge.
I attempted this traverse and honestly, the logistics alone are intimidating. Arrange the relevant park entry and overnight permissions with Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife and your starting-point operator, and complete the mountain rescue register. Resolve passport, visa and border arrangements for your actual route before departure; a hiking permit does not replace immigration clearance. Peak High’s guided itinerary, for example, includes Sani Pass and specifies passports. A local guide can help plan these details alongside transfers, camps and resupply.
Build your food, fuel and water plan around the support you have arranged. Some guided trips resupply en route, while independent parties must organize their own logistics. Ezemvelo warns that mountain weather can change within minutes, so carry appropriate shelter and protection from cold and rain in every season. I’d strongly recommend a qualified local guide for anyone without comparable navigation and wilderness experience. Mountain rescue services exist, but remoteness and weather can delay help; leave a route plan and agree on emergency communications.
7. Cascade Saddle, Mount Aspiring National Park, New Zealand
Cascade Saddle is a serious alpine crossing in New Zealand, with exposed slopes where wet grass or a short snow patch can change everything. I hiked here in shoulder season and encountered sunshine and near-whiteout conditions in the same day. That’s a memory to learn from, not a reason to repeat the timing: DOC recommends fine weather in mid to late summer, high-level backcountry skills, and starting on the Matukituki side because climbing the steep section is safer than descending it.
Treat the complete crossing as a multi-day itinerary. The Aspiring Hut–Dart Hut leg alone is 16 km and 8–10 hours, before the approach and walk-out. Arrange huts and transfers together. Aspiring Hut requires a booking year-round; as checked in October 2026, stays through June 30, 2027 are on sale. A hut booking is not a promise of suitable crossing conditions.
The exit needs particular care: DOC currently says the Dart Track is closed indefinitely after a large slip. It lists an exit via the Rees Valley, subject to its own track and bridge conditions; there is no announced 2027 reopening to assume. Carry an emergency shelter, spare food and a distress beacon. Flooded streams can delay you, and wet, windy, snowy or deteriorating conditions are reasons to abandon the crossing. The Matukituki bushline is an important decision point, before committing to hours of exposed terrain.
- For more hiking destinations, check out: Epic Bucket List Hiking Locations Around the World
8. Huayna Picchu, Peru
Huayna Picchu, also spelled Waynapicchu, is the needle-shaped peak above Machu Picchu. Its steep Inca stairs and exposed sections demand careful footing, especially when wet. For the climb, select Circuit 3, Route 3-A: Montaña Waynapicchu on the Ministry of Culture’s TuBoleto platform. This ticket follows its own archaeological-site route; it is not interchangeable with the Classic Circuit or a general Machu Picchu visit.
I tried booking last-minute and ended up waiting three months for available dates. I’d book the correct route before committing to the rest of the itinerary. Follow the city-entry time and mountain-checkpoint instructions on your ticket: the ministry’s entry notice specifies no grace period at mountain controls. Bring the original ID used for the booking. If travelling with children, confirm the current minimum age and Route 3-A admission conditions directly before paying.
I felt the elevation even though I was already acclimatized from time in Cusco. Bring shoes with good grip, take your time on the steps and follow staff instructions about conditions. The documented June 1–30 maintenance closure applied to 2026; it is not a confirmed June 2027 closure. For a 2027 trip, check the official release of dates, route availability, admission conditions and prices rather than relying on an old dollar estimate or daily quota.
- Read next: Best Things to Do in Peru
9. The Kokoda Track, Papua New Guinea
The Kokoda Track in Papua New Guinea combines steep jungle trekking with the history of the 1942 campaign. The Kokoda Track Authority describes approximately 96 kilometers between Owers’ Corner and Kokoda; the duration depends on the operator’s route and pace. I found the physical preparation requirements are no joke. Train for repeated climbs and descents, humid conditions and the pack you will actually carry.
The Kokoda Track Authority requires a trek permit and a licensed tour operator. Verify the operator’s current licence and that your permit is arranged before departure. Compare written inclusions: porters, village stays, camping equipment, meals, transfers and evacuation arrangements vary. Request an itemized price for your 2027 departure. Ask how much you carry and what happens if you need to leave the trek early.
Before booking, read the current government travel advice for PNG. It specifically warns of Kokoda blockades at short notice, crime along the track and at its endpoints, and delayed medical evacuation. Reconfirm access and security with the operator close to departure, including your arrival and return transfers. Insurance should cover this trek and medical evacuation. Seasonal averages cannot guarantee river conditions or an open track, so keep flexibility in a 2027 itinerary.
- Continue your hiking adventures: World-Class Trekking Destinations for Your Bucket List
10. Mount Washington (via Tuckerman Ravine Trail), New Hampshire, USA
Mount Washington can feel like a different mountain above treeline. I’ve hiked it multiple times and been shocked by how quickly conditions deteriorate. Tuckerman Ravine combines narrow rocky ledges with an exposed upper mountain. The Mount Washington Observatory’s route guide gives 8.4 miles round trip and 4,250 feet of ascent from Pinkham Notch. Leave room in your schedule for a slow descent on tired legs.
Read the Higher Summits Forecast, not just the weather in the valley. Carry insulating layers, waterproof protection, a headlamp, navigation and emergency supplies, even on a summer day. Check Mount Washington Avalanche Center notices and the trail information at Pinkham Notch when snow is present. Snow-season travel through the ravine calls for a different set of avalanche and mountaineering skills; a summer hiking description is not a winter route plan. Respect any posted closure and turn around before conditions remove your options.
Do not make summit shelter or a ride down your backup plan. NH State Parks says summit visitor services closed for the 2026 season on October 16 and will reopen on a date still to be confirmed in May 2027. Facilities can also be unavailable outside operating hours. Plan to descend under your own power and confirm the operating arrangements for your actual visit. I’d choose a day with a generous weather window over keeping a fixed summit date.
Global Viewpoint is a personal blog. All content is for informational and entertainment purposes only and does not constitute professional financial, medical, or legal advice.
