These hikes don’t care if you’re brave — they want to know if you’re ready. The U.S. is full of trails that look like postcards and feel like nightmares. From dizzying cliff edges to blistering desert floors, these aren’t your average weekend strolls — they’re survival tests with breathtaking views as the prize. Every year, hikers misjudge one key detail — the weather, the terrain, the distance — and it turns a thrill into a rescue mission. Some trails are so remote, help could be days away. Others? They’re deadly because of the crowds, not the solitude. This isn’t a list of pretty paths. These are the 20 hikes that bite back. If you’ve got a taste for danger, read on — just don’t say we didn’t warn you.
Angels Landing, Zion National Park (UT)
Imagine teetering on the edge of a narrow ridge, with 1,000-foot drop-offs on either side. Angels Landing in Zion National Park offers breathtaking views and adrenaline-pumping challenges. This hike requires a head for heights, as chain-assisted scrambling is needed to navigate its treacherous path. Overcrowding adds to the risk, demanding patience and vigilance. With 18+ fatalities documented, it’s a sobering reminder of nature’s perilous beauty. Prepare for crowds but revel in the unparalleled views. This hike is both a thrilling adventure and a test of courage.
Half Dome Cable Route, Yosemite (CA)
Half Dome’s iconic silhouette is both a beacon and a challenge for adventurers. The climb is steep, with hikers relying on steel cables to ascend its granite face. The risk of slipping is ever-present, especially when the rock is wet. Lightning storms are a concern, making timing crucial. Since 1919, this route has claimed around 10 lives, serving as a stark warning. The effort is rewarded with stunning vistas that stretch for miles. Half Dome is a test of endurance and respect for nature’s unpredictability.
Bright Angel Trail, Grand Canyon (AZ)
Bright Angel Trail may seem inviting, but its beauty conceals a harsh reality. The Grand Canyon’s extreme heat and elevation changes make this trail deceptively challenging. Hikers face dehydration and exhaustion, with hundreds requiring rescue each year. The trail’s allure lies in its stunning vistas, but preparation is key to safe passage. Carry ample water and monitor the weather closely. This trail is a testament to the Grand Canyon’s rugged allure, offering both danger and wonder in equal measure.
The Maze, Canyonlands (UT)
The Maze in Canyonlands is aptly named, a confusing labyrinth of red-rock canyons. Its remoteness adds to its danger, as rescues can take days. Flash floods and intense heat are constant threats. This hike requires expert navigation skills and a preparedness for the unpredictable. Despite its challenges, The Maze rewards those who venture with awe-inspiring solitude and raw, untouched beauty. It’s a journey that demands respect and readiness, a true wilderness experience.
Muir Snowfield, Mt. Rainier (WA)
Muir Snowfield is a year-round reminder of nature’s raw elements. Situated on Mt. Rainier, this hike presents challenges like white-outs, avalanches, and hypothermia. Over 90 lives have been lost since the 1970s, signaling its peril. Despite the dangers, the snowfield offers a breathtakingly pristine landscape. It demands respect, preparation, and an understanding of mountain weather patterns. For those who brave its slopes, Muir Snowfield offers both danger and the serene beauty of an alpine environment.
Kalalau Trail, Nā Pali Coast (HI)
Kalalau Trail is a breathtaking yet dangerous trek along Hawaii’s Nā Pali Coast. The trail features narrow ledges, coastal cliffs, and the ever-present threat of flash floods. It’s not uncommon for rescues to occur annually, with fatalities marking its history. Yet, the allure of its stunning vistas and lush landscapes draws hikers from around the world. Kalalau demands respect, preparation, and awareness of weather conditions. It’s a journey through paradise’s wilder side, where beauty and danger coexist.
Barr Trail, Pikes Peak (CO)
Barr Trail is a tribute to Pikes Peak’s majestic presence. Frequent lightning strikes above the tree line make this hike perilous, with weather changes occurring rapidly. Altitude adds to the challenge, as does the long exposure. Yet, the trail’s beauty, with sweeping vistas of Colorado’s landscape, is undeniable. Preparation for altitude and weather is essential. Barr Trail is a blend of challenge and reward, a journey that tests endurance and respect for nature’s might.
Presidential Traverse, White Mountains (NH)
The Presidential Traverse offers an exposed ridge walk across New Hampshire’s peaks, a trek marked by beauty and danger. Weather changes swiftly, and exposure to the elements is relentless. This 18-mile journey requires stamina and preparation, as it crosses multiple summits. The allure lies in its panoramic views and the challenge it presents. It’s a hike where nature’s power is palpable, demanding respect and caution. The Traverse is a testament to the rugged beauty of the White Mountains.
Abrams Falls Trail, Great Smoky Mountains (TN)
Abrams Falls Trail in the Great Smoky Mountains is both picturesque and perilous. The waterfall, though beautiful, conceals strong currents and slippery rocks. Flash floods add to the danger, with nearly 60 fatalities recorded. Despite its risks, the trail attracts those drawn to its serene beauty and the enchanting sound of rushing water. Respect for the water’s power and cautious footing are vital. Abrams Falls is a stunning but sobering reminder of nature’s dual nature of allure and danger.
Knife Edge Trail, Mount Katahdin (ME)
Knife Edge Trail on Mount Katahdin offers an adrenaline-fueled adventure. Its narrow, exposed ridge with steep drop-offs demands sure-footedness and confidence. Weather shifts can transform this path from challenging to deadly. Over 60 deaths on the mountain attest to its danger. Yet, the thrill and panoramic views entice adventurers seeking the ultimate challenge. Knife Edge is a dance with danger, where preparation and respect for nature’s unpredictability are key.
Nankoweap Trail, Grand Canyon (AZ)
Nankoweap Trail is one of the Grand Canyon’s most daunting paths. Its remoteness and unmaintained condition create a formidable challenge. The 6,000-ft descent lacks water sources, making dehydration a real danger. Despite its risks, the trail offers solitude and a sense of connection to the canyon’s raw beauty. Preparation and navigation skills are essential. Nankoweap is a journey into the heart of the canyon, where isolation and challenge walk hand in hand.
Maroon Bells South Ridge (CO)
Maroon Bells South Ridge presents a deceptive challenge. Its slopes, while seemingly moderate, conceal loose rocks and unexpected hazards. At elevations above 11,000 feet, the air thins, adding to the trail’s difficulty. Multiple fatalities serve as a sobering reminder of the mountain’s perils. Yet, the unparalleled beauty of the Maroon Bells captivates hikers, drawing them to its majestic vistas. This trail is a dance with danger, where respect for the mountain’s power is paramount.
Longs Peak Keyhole Route (CO)
Longs Peak Keyhole Route is a thrilling ascent for adventurers seeking a challenge. Narrow ledges and exposure to the elements test the nerve, while the risk of lightning demands vigilance. On average, one death occurs yearly, often from those trekking beyond the Keyhole. Yet, the rewards are immense, with sweeping vistas that inspire awe. Longs Peak is a journey of endurance and respect for nature’s might, a testament to the mountain’s captivating beauty and inherent dangers.
Mist Trail to Half Dome (Yosemite, CA)
Mist Trail to Half Dome is a captivating yet perilous journey. The trail winds past mist-covered waterfalls, with cable assists leading to the summit. Slippery rocks and exposure test resolve, while the climb to Half Dome demands respect and caution. Over 60 fatalities on the trail, including falls from Vernal Fall, underscore the risk. Yet, the trail’s beauty and the sense of achievement draw hikers. This journey is a blend of enchantment and danger, a testament to Yosemite’s majesty.
Mount Washington Summit (NH)
Mount Washington Summit is notorious for its extreme weather conditions. Wind gusts can reach 231 mph, posing a real threat. Hypothermia is a constant concern, with over 139 deaths historically recorded. Despite its dangers, the summit offers breathtaking views and a sense of achievement. Preparation and caution are key, as nature’s power is on full display. Mount Washington is a climber’s challenge, where beauty and peril coexist, demanding respect and readiness.
Cactus to Clouds Trail, Mt. San Jacinto (CA)
Cactus to Clouds Trail offers a dramatic elevation gain from desert floor to alpine summit. Extreme heat, reaching 110°F, and rapid weather changes make this hike a formidable challenge. Timing is crucial, with only narrow windows of safe hiking available. Yet, the trail rewards with stunning vistas and a sense of accomplishment. Preparation for heat and elevation is essential. This trail is a testament to nature’s diversity and demands respect, endurance, and vigilance.
Sky Pilot Traverse (BC)
While not in the U.S., Sky Pilot Traverse in British Columbia is worth mentioning for its challenge. Technical climbs and scree fields test climbers, with poor visibility adding to the risks. Falls are a real danger, demanding skill and preparation. Despite its challenges, the traverse offers stunning views and a sense of adventure. It’s a journey where nature’s beauty meets its unforgiving side, a climb that requires respect and readiness.
Precipice Trail, Acadia National Park (ME)
Precipice Trail is a thrilling ascent up Acadia’s granite cliffs. Iron rungs assist climbers, adding to the adventure. Crowding increases the risk, with rescues common during closures or falcon nesting season. Despite the dangers, the trail offers stunning views and a sense of achievement. It’s a hike that demands respect for nature’s heights and the thrill of the climb. Precipice Trail is a blend of beauty and challenge, a journey for the adventurous at heart.
Big Bend National Park Trails (TX)
Big Bend National Park Trails are a testament to Texas’s rugged beauty. The Marufo Vega Trail, in particular, is notorious for its heat, with fatal hyperthermia cases recorded. Despite the risks, the park’s trails offer stunning desert vistas and a sense of adventure. Heat preparation and vigilance are essential. These trails are a journey into the heart of the desert, where beauty and danger coexist, demanding respect and readiness from those who venture.
Capitol Peak Knife Edge
Perched in the heart of Colorado’s Elk Mountains, Capitol Peak is infamous for its Knife Edge traverse. This daunting stretch requires hikers to balance precariously on a narrow ridge with sheer drops on either side.
The path tests even the most experienced climbers, demanding a sharp mind and unwavering nerve. Loose rocks and rapid weather changes add to the danger, making preparation crucial.
Summiting Capitol Peak is a feat of daring and skill. It calls to those who crave high-altitude adventure and are willing to face its formidable challenges. Are you prepared for the Knife Edge?