Caminito del Rey | Malaga, Spain
Skirting the Garganta del Chorro gorge is the notorious Caminito del Rey footpath, known to be one of the world’s scariest hiking routes. Built to provide an access way between the two power stations that were built either side of the El Chorro gorge, it became an iconic feature once King Alfonso XIII walked its whole length and gave it its name. The one metre wide path threads the length of the gorge, hanging precipitously 100 metres high. Recently re-opened after refurbishment, it now has a handrail and the path is reinforced (scary thought that it wasn’t previously) and there is a daily limit of 1,000 people allowed to walk the pathway. If looking down doesn’t take your breath away the views will.
It is recommended you book a time slot in advance to walk the Caminito del Rey as tickets often sell out. The official Caminito del Rey website is the best place to check and book tickets.
Aonach Eagach Ridge | Glen Coe, Scotland
Aonach Eagach ridge is repeated ranked as one of the best ridge walks and scrambles in the UK and perhaps the scariest one to give it the hat-trick. Located in Glen Coe, the ridge towers at 3,127ft high, is six miles long, a grade two scramble and is the narrowest ridge on the British mainland. It is known particularly for its sheer drops, spine-tingling exposure and relatively few escape points, which makes it tricky to traverse and downright dangerous even for the most expert hiker. One thing for sure it to keep an eye on the weather if you do attempt it as the rocks can be extremely slippery when wet and high winds are the last thing you need when on top of a knife-edge ride.
You can take on Aonach Eagach Ridge as part of the Ridges & Scrambles in the Western Highlands tour by HF Holidays throughout the year. Contact HF Holidays for availability and prices.
Marmolada Via Ferrata | Dolomites, Italy
Translated as ‘iron way’ via ferrrata’s were built during World War One by Italian soldiers so troops could move quickly and safely over the mountains. Consisting of iron ladders and a cable connected at intervals Via Ferrata gives you the thrills of exposed High Alpine terrain with little of the associated danger. The Dolomites are home to some of the most famous and challenging via ferrata, with Marmolada being one of the oldest, highest and longest of them all. It's also one of the scariest as it involves two glacier sections which require the use of ice axes and crampons so although you don't need any climbing skills you'll definitely need a head for heights.
SNO offer seven-night walking holidays in Canazei including flights, half board and 4* hotel accommodation from £785pp.
North Drakensberg Traverse | Kwazulu Natal, South Africa
Drakensberg Traverse translates from Afrikaans to mean Dragon Mountain and the northern trek is a well-established 40-mile route through Natal National Park that crosses some of the most exposed alpine terrain in the world with the risk of a creeping mist coming in at any given point. There are few real tracks here and rickety chain ladders take trekkers to the ridge, where animal tracks, herding trails, and rock scrambles are cobbled together to make up the route. Hikers need to be self sufficient here and camping spots include Mponjwane Cave which sits beneath a peak right on the ridge edge, not one for sleep walkers.
You can hike the traverse and track wildlife on World Expeditions Drakensberg and Kruger Walking Safari. 11 days costs £1750 and includes accommodation and meals.
Cribb Goch | Snowdon, Wales
Reaching the summit of Snowdon is an accomplishment on many a walker’s list but taking the Cribb Goch route to the top is an accolade only the hardiest can claim to have done. Best described as a ‘knife-edged’ arête it can feel like you are traversing a mountain high tightrope. Classed as a Grade 1 scramble the ridgeline has a 900m sheer drop on one side and another equally as scary on the other, once you have started the traverse here there is no other option but to continue and perhaps not look down. It is here many a hiker literally freezes and has to be rescued so a good head for heights is a must before even considering the mighty Cribb Goch ridge.
Lost Earth Adventures can supply a private guide for you or a group to take you across Cribb Goch. Prices from £75 per person for a group booking.
Mount Hua Shan | Shaanxi Province, China
This list wouldn't be complete without mentioning Mount Hua Shan Walk. Pilgrims have climbed to the temples on the five spires of Mount Hua Shan for centuries and it is the plank trail on the south of the mountain that has been branded the most dangerous hike in the world. The trail is made from wooden platforms that appear loosely to be bolted onto the mountainside and hikers need to hook into a chain parallel to this while hovering thousands of feet above the ground. At one point the platform disappears leaving small divots in the rock as the only option to keep going. Once you make it along the trail you can visit one of the highest tea houses in the world, just make sure you use the loo before you start the trek back!
Responsible Travel will tailor make a China adventure for you to include a visit to Mount Huashan and the Shaanix Province. Prices from £1950.
West Coast Trail | Vancouver, Canada
Located on the west coast of Vancouver Island, the West Coast Trail was once a life-saving route established for survivors of shipwrecks along the coast. Now it is a 75km trail that attracts many adventurous travellers with an average of 1 in 100 needing to be evacuated at some point in the trail. The route is packed with lots of hills and valleys to navigate along with some scary suspension bridges and long ladders to climb. It rains a lot here so besides keeping dry there is a high risk of slipping and falling or coming face to face with bears, wolves or cougars. With the average hiker covering 1km every 90 minutes this is one big endurance trail.
Frontier Canada offers an 8 day Challenge Yourself tour that takes you on the West Coast Trail.
The Cliffs of Moher | County Clare, Ireland
The Cliffs of Moher are one of Ireland’s most well-known treasures with a coastal pathway that attracts walkers from all over. Set along huge black cliffs that drop down 600 metres to the sea, the narrow jagged path is often hidden by the mist coming from the sea pounding below. The path branches across two directions at the top with safety barriers keeping you from getting too close to the edge of the cliffs, but only up to a point and this is where the scary part comes in. Many people choose to continue along the unprotected path to get right to the edge for the ultimate photo. The winds here can pick up unexpectedly and lift you clean off. Alongside this the cliffs are made of Namurian shale & sandstone, which can sometimes crumble without warning due to erosion, creating yet another danger to be wary of.
Macs Adventure Holidays offer a 7 day Walk The Burren Way along The Cliffs of Moher on Ireland’s Atlantic coastline with prices starting at £505.
The Maze | Canyonlands National Park, Utah
Located in Canyonlands National Park, although not strictly 'scary' the Maze is considered to be one of the most dangerous hikes in America. A red rock labyrinth full of dead ends it is notoriously hard to get to as well as navigate so only a few travellers make it and those that do take the high risk of getting lost. Prone to flash floods and dangerous rockfalls, even the rangers here warn hikers against the perils of the area. Those that have been tend to take a minimum of three days with most needing a week to negotiate the incredible rock jungle. The film 127 hours was based here so that pretty much gives you a good enough idea of how crazy the Maze is.
As The Maze is such a remote and untouched area the best way to explore is with one of the National Park Rangers who offer a free guided tour of the Horseshoe Canyon which is part of The Maze.
