You know what can get pretty boring? Walking, that’s what can get pretty boring. And if walking can get pretty boring, so too can hiking. Sure, it’s nice to get out there in nature, to breathe the fresh air, and to check out surroundings that might be unfamiliar. But, when you get right down to it, there’s no excitement. That’s where the “hiking trails” on this list come into play.
Now, you’ve probably noticed (and questioned) that we’ve put “hiking trails” in quotation marks. That’s because it wouldn’t be entirely truthful to call many of these places trails. Instead, you should think of them as places you can walk, while also getting a whole boatload of excitement. Actually, that’s not entirely truthful either… That’s because some of the locations on this list you can’t really walk – at least not in the traditional sense.
Look, it will all make sense once you start checking these places out. So, if you’ve got a flair for excitement, and you’re thinking about taking a trip to quench your thrill-seeking thirst, then come check out the 10 scariest “hiking trails” in the entire world. We promise that you won’t be disappointed.
1. Tower Bridge Glass Walkway (England)
There’s nothing dangerous about this trail at all; however, that doesn’t mean it won’t make you pee yourself!
That’s because you’ll be looking through crystal clear glass over 14 stories below you at fast-moving traffic.
2. Huangshan Walkway (China)
Let’s put this one in the simplest possible terms: it’s a Cliffside walkway that’s over a mile in the air…
If you’re a person that gets vertigo, then it goes without saying that this treacherous trail should be avoided at all costs.
3. Tianmen Skywalk (China)
You know, China has a think for the treacherous trail! This trail goes along the side of a cliff, and it’s – you guessed it – about a mile high.
As if that weren’t bad enough, there are actually glass-bottomed stretches of the walkway. Try not barfing when you cross them!
4. Hua Shan (China)
China for the hat trick! This trail is also along the edge of a cliff, except this time you’ve only got a wood trail and steel chains to hang on to.
This trail has proved deadly for some tourists, but the Chinese government is boasting recent “safety improvements”…
5. Ferrata Bridge (Italy)
This one is like something straight out a Hollywood movie. It’s a rickety wood suspension bridge that hangs between too cliffs.
Keeping with the Hollywood theme, this bridge is commonly referred to as “Cliffhanger” – you know, like that classic Stallone film!
6. Titlis Cliff Walk (Switzerland)
This one’s simple. It’s a suspension bridge that’s 160 stories up in the air between two cliffs.
You’ll find it difficult not to think about how your very life depends on the strength of the steel cables that keep the bridge together.
7. Via Ferrate (Italy)
This “hiking” trail is half hiking and have rock climbing. When you go, you’ll latch onto a steel cable bolted into the side of a cliff face and hope for the best!
There are multiple routes you can take, though, with the most difficult taking hikers / climbers 3,000 feet up!
8. Dachstein Skywalk (Austria)
Why will you hike this treacherous trail? It’s for the panoramic view of the Alps that it offers!
Of course, you might be so distracted by avoiding your fear of heights that you forget to take it all in!
9. Capilano Suspension Bridge (Vancouver)
It may not look intimidating at first, but see how you feel when you’re walking across this massive suspension bridge!
It will carry you 30 stories in the air above this Vancouver, British Columbia, park. Oh, and there’s places where you can look through the glass bottom. Did we mention that?
10. El Caminito Del Rey (Spain)
Not only is this pathway, which runs along a sheer cliff face, one of the scariest in the world, it’s also one of the deadliest.
Problems with the trail that lead to some deaths resulted in this pathway being closed for repairs for nearly a decade.
