What Is the Most Dangerous Hiking Trail? 10 Trails That Demand Serious Caution

If you are wondering what is the most dangerous hiking trail, there is no single trail officially recognized as the world’s most dangerous. The answer depends on what makes a trail dangerous—steep cliffs, technical climbing, extreme weather, falling hazards, exposure, remoteness, or a combination of several risks.

Among famous U.S. trails, Angels Landing in Zion National Park, Half Dome in Yosemite National Park, and Mount Washington routes in New Hampshire are often discussed when hikers talk about serious trail hazards. Each presents a different kind of challenge.

The important thing is not simply choosing the “most dangerous” trail, but understanding why a trail is dangerous and whether its conditions match your experience and preparation.

What Is the Most Dangerous Hiking Trail?

There is no universal ranking of the world’s most dangerous hiking trails because hiking risk changes with weather, season, trail conditions, experience, and individual decisions.

However, Angels Landing in Zion National Park is one of the best-known dangerous hiking trails in the United States. The final section follows a narrow ridge with steep drop-offs and uses fixed chains for assistance. According to the National Park Service, the majority of deadly accidents on Angels Landing since 1930 have occurred on the chains section.

That does not mean Angels Landing is automatically the most dangerous trail in the world. Instead, it illustrates why a popular and relatively accessible hike can still contain extremely serious hazards.

1. Angels Landing, Zion National Park

Location: Utah, USA
Main hazards: Exposure, steep drop-offs, narrow ridge, heat, thunderstorms

Angels Landing is probably one of the first trails that comes to mind when discussing dangerous hikes in America’s national parks.

The hike becomes particularly exposed during the final half-mile, where hikers use a metal chain system while traversing a narrow ridge. The National Park Service specifically warns hikers to use caution around the chains and says that the majority of deadly accidents on the trail have occurred in this section. A permit is required for the chains section.

The danger isn’t limited to the cliffs. Zion can become extremely hot, and there is no drinking water along the trail. During the monsoon season, thunderstorms and flash flooding can create additional hazards.

Why it is dangerous: One slip on an exposed section can have catastrophic consequences.

2. Half Dome, Yosemite National Park

Location: California, USA
Main hazards: Steep granite, cables, thunderstorms, wet rock, fatigue

Half Dome is another famous U.S. hike where seemingly manageable conditions can quickly become dangerous.

The final ascent involves climbing steep granite using cables. According to the National Park Service, many of the major documented accidents on the Half Dome cables occurred when the rock was wet or icy.

Lightning is another major concern. The National Park Service warns that the summit is particularly dangerous during thunderstorms and recommends checking the forecast and reaching the summit early because afternoon thunderstorms are more common.

The cables themselves are not necessarily the biggest problem. Wet rock, bad weather, overcrowding, exhaustion and poor decisions can turn the route into a serious accident zone.

3. Mount Washington, New Hampshire

Location: New Hampshire, USA
Main hazards: Extreme weather, wind, cold, fog, snow and ice

Mount Washington is different from Angels Landing and Half Dome because its greatest danger often comes from weather rather than a single exposed section of trail.

The Mount Washington Observatory describes the mountain as an extreme environment where even normal conditions can become dangerous for people who are unfit or poorly prepared. In summer, winds average around 25 mph, hurricane-force gusts are possible, and thick wet fog occurs frequently.

Winter can be dramatically more severe, with sub-zero temperatures, strong winds, blowing snow, ice and very limited visibility.

This means a sunny morning at lower elevation does not guarantee safe conditions near the summit.

Why it is dangerous: Weather can change rapidly, and hikers may have to deal with conditions that are very different from those they experienced at the trailhead.

4. Bright Angel Trail, Grand Canyon

Location: Arizona, USA
Main hazards: Extreme heat, dehydration, steep elevation change, exhaustion

The Grand Canyon can look deceptively easy from above. Bright Angel Trail is well established and heavily traveled, but hiking into the canyon means that the return journey becomes progressively more difficult.

Heat is a major concern, particularly during warmer months. Hikers also need to remember that going down is only half of the journey. A person who feels comfortable descending may become exhausted when climbing back toward the South Rim.

The combination of heat, dehydration, distance and elevation gain makes preparation particularly important.

Why it is dangerous: The trail may not look technically extreme, but environmental conditions can overwhelm unprepared hikers.

5. The Mist Trail, Yosemite National Park

Location: California, USA
Main hazards: Slippery granite, waterfalls, wet conditions, steep steps

The Mist Trail is one of Yosemite’s most spectacular hikes, but its wet environment creates an important hazard.

Near Vernal Fall, hikers encounter steep granite steps and spray from the waterfall. When surfaces become wet, footing can become much less predictable.

The lesson here is important: a trail doesn’t need a knife-edge ridge to be dangerous. Slippery surfaces near steep terrain can create serious fall risks.

6. Kalalau Trail, Hawaii

Location: Kauai, Hawaii
Main hazards: Cliff exposure, mud, falling hazards, flash floods and remoteness

The Kalalau Trail along Kauai’s Na Pali Coast combines dramatic scenery with challenging terrain.

Sections of the trail can become muddy and slippery after rain, while narrow areas along steep slopes require careful footing. Heavy rainfall can also create dangerous conditions, including flash flooding and unstable terrain.

Its remote location adds another layer of risk because assistance may not be immediately available.

Why it is dangerous: A relatively small mistake can become much more serious when you’re far from easy access and rescue.

7. Precipice Trail, Acadia National Park

Location: Maine, USA
Main hazards: Exposed cliffs, iron rungs, steep scrambling

Precipice Trail on Champlain Mountain is one of Acadia’s most challenging popular hikes.

Instead of simply walking uphill, hikers encounter steep rock sections, iron rungs and exposed terrain. The route requires careful use of hands and feet and is not appropriate for everyone.

Weather can also affect the difficulty. Wet rock can make scrambling sections substantially more challenging.

Why it is dangerous: The trail combines steep climbing with exposure, making concentration and careful movement essential.

8. Mount Katahdin, Maine

Location: Maine, USA
Main hazards: Rapid weather changes, exposed ridges, steep terrain

Mount Katahdin is the highest mountain in Maine and includes rugged terrain with exposed sections.

The Knife Edge ridge is particularly famous for its dramatic terrain. Strong winds, rain, fog, ice or thunderstorms can significantly increase the risk.

Like Mount Washington, Katahdin demonstrates why weather is one of the most important variables in mountain safety.

9. Half Dome and Other Cable Routes in Bad Weather

A trail that is manageable in dry conditions can become dangerous after rain, ice or snow.

Half Dome provides a clear example. The National Park Service identifies being on the cables when the rock or cables are wet as the leading cause of fatal falls from the cable route.

This is why experienced hikers don’t judge difficulty solely by a trail’s mileage or elevation gain.

A five-mile hike in perfect weather can be safer than a shorter hike during a thunderstorm.

10. Tuckerman Ravine, Mount Washington

Location: New Hampshire, USA
Main hazards: Avalanche conditions, steep terrain, ice, falling hazards and extreme weather

Tuckerman Ravine is well known among climbers, skiers and experienced mountain users, particularly because of its steep terrain and challenging conditions.

The surrounding Mount Washington environment can produce rapidly changing weather, strong winds, freezing temperatures and poor visibility. The Mount Washington Observatory has repeatedly emphasized that mountain visitors need to understand local conditions and be prepared to turn around when circumstances become unsafe.

What Makes a Hiking Trail Dangerous?

When deciding whether a trail is dangerous, look beyond the trail’s difficulty rating. Several factors can dramatically increase risk:

1. Exposure

A narrow trail beside a steep cliff leaves little room for error. Trails such as Angels Landing demonstrate how exposure can turn a relatively short section into the most dangerous part of a hike.

2. Weather

Rain, lightning, snow, ice, high winds and fog can transform trail conditions.

Mount Washington is a particularly strong example because extreme weather can occur even when conditions at lower elevations appear comfortable.

3. Heat and dehydration

Desert environments such as Zion and the Grand Canyon can create serious heat-related problems. Hiking early, carrying enough water and understanding the day’s forecast are essential.

4. Remoteness

If something goes wrong several miles from a road or developed area, getting assistance can take significantly longer.

5. Experience

A trail that is appropriate for an experienced hiker may be completely unsuitable for someone who is new to exposed terrain, scrambling or mountain weather.

Is Angels Landing the Most Dangerous Hiking Trail?

Angels Landing is one of the most dangerous and iconic hiking trails in the United States, but it is not officially designated as the world’s most dangerous hiking trail.

The National Park Service itself avoids labeling an individual national park as “the most dangerous,” explaining that parks contain different natural hazards and that risk depends partly on the activity and decisions visitors make.

The same principle applies to individual trails.

A better question is:

What hazards does this trail have, and are today’s conditions safe for me?

That question can prevent more accidents than any internet ranking.

How to Stay Safe on Dangerous Hiking Trails

Before attempting a challenging trail:

Check the official weather forecast.
Read current trail conditions and closure notices.
Understand the route before starting.
Carry enough water and food.
Wear appropriate footwear.
Start early when recommended.
Tell someone your hiking plans.
Stay on the designated trail.
Never ignore warning signs or closures.
Turn around if conditions become unsafe.
Don’t let reaching the summit become more important than getting home safely.

The National Park Service emphasizes that hikers should recognize hazards and make informed decisions rather than assuming that a popular trail is automatically safe.

Final Answer: What Is the Most Dangerous Hiking Trail?

There isn’t one universally accepted answer to what is the most dangerous hiking trail. If you’re looking specifically at famous U.S. trails, Angels Landing, Half Dome, Mount Washington routes, the Kalalau Trail and exposed sections of Mount Katahdin all deserve serious respect for different reasons.

Angels Landing stands out for its narrow, exposed chains section. Half Dome combines steep cables with wet-rock and lightning hazards. Mount Washington is notorious for rapidly changing and potentially severe mountain weather.

Ultimately, the most dangerous trail is not necessarily the steepest or longest one. It is the trail where the terrain, weather, experience level and preparation don’t match.

Before hiking any challenging route, check official park or land-management information and current conditions. A spectacular trail is worth experiencing—but getting back safely should always be the priority.