Be warned, these 8 treks on our list are no joke and it is recommended for experienced hikers only that are in great shape and have been hiking for the longest time. For the not so-experienced hikers, it is best that a professional hiker be with you throughout the journey if you wish to go on trekking to these sites. Great preparation as well as good understanding of the terrain should NEVER be taken for granted if one wishes to conquer any of these treacherous treks.
Here are 8 Treacherous Treks that Should Satisfy Your Thirst for Challenge
1. Mount Rainier, WA
source: fineartamerica
As of the latest tally, 87 climbers have died while trying to reach the summit of Mount Rainier. The beginning of the climb may start out easy. But don’t get your hopes up. As you slowly ascend, the nightmarish and deadly winter breeze that blows off the Pacific Ocean without warning is the real danger of this trek. That’s not all; Mount Rainier is also an active volcano.
2. Columbia River Gorge, OR
source: reddit
For those who are looking for the best and greatest workout on the planet, Columbia River Gorge is your answer. Going up on the taxing trails of the Columbia River Gorge (3,700 feet), you need to prepare your whole body most especially when you reach the so called “Catwalk.” With just more than a foot wide exposed and narrow rock with drops on either side, “The Catwalk”is a hiker’s nightmare. Columbia River Gorge may not be the most treacherous compared to the other hikes on our list but it is still a great challenge even for the most skilled trekkers around the world.
3. Canyonlands, UT
source: discovermoab
Have you watched the movie 127 Hours? Well, before you go trekking Canyonlands, I suggest you watch the movie first. It will give you an idea of the kind of adventure you’re going to have, hopefully without the self amputation part. Great preparation is also needed. You must know how to read a map and make sure to have enough water before you go down to the depths of the abyss. The trail at Canyonlands was described by those who have experienced the hardships of the trail as “trail-less” so you better bring with you a GPS unit.
4. Joyce Kilmer-Slickrock Wilderness, NC
source: pinterest
Going on a trail at the Joyce Kilmer-Slickrock Wilderness is like travelling back to the past. Here hikers will experience the last virgin stands of East Coasts’ old growth trees. They will also witness rain forest-like terrains with rushing streams soaked in moss. The ascent to the top of Joyce Kilmer-Slickrock Wilderness will test every hiker’s agility, stamina, and endurance. Countless of trekkers have broken their ankles while trekking this wilderness because of the slippery stream crossings. But once you reach the peak, the sights that you will witness will be worth all the efforts and hardships that you have experienced while hiking Joyce Kilmer-Slickrock Wilderness.
5. Grand Canyon, AZ
source: lazypenguins
Hands down, Grand Canyon is the hardest trail on this list. Descending to the huge hole in the ground is just half of the trek. Getting back up is another. So if you plan on taking an adventure on the Grand Canyon, make sure that you are prepared physically and mentally. You also need to bring with you enough water because water is nonexistent on this site. Once you have hiked down to the bottom, you will be amazed by the majestic views of the canyon walls, a site that is rarely seen up close by most people around the world.
6. Grand Teton National Park, WY
source: roadtrippers
This 10,800 foot trek with its 8 mile, 4,000 foot vertical route to Paintbrush Divide in the Grand Teton National Park will be a huge challenge even to the greatest and most accomplished hiker on the planet. Grand Teton’s size will simply bewilder any hiker who visits it and reaching the summit and watching the beautiful views of the colorful, banded rock walls framed by the Teton Crest and the entirety of the Jackson Hole valley will be a reward that will stay with them for the rest of their life.
7. Presidential Range, NH
source: steelerslounge
If you want to get up close and personal with Presidents Madison, Adams, Jefferson, Washington, Monroe, Eisenhower, and Pierce, you first need to conquer the 11 peaks of the more than 9,000 feet elevation Presidential Range located in the dangerous and unforgiving White Mountain National Forest. Conquering the 11 peaks is not as easy as it seems. Many trekkers get lost before they finish the hike due to freakish weather. There is also a warning that was posted there by the U.S. Forest Service that reads: “The area has the worst weather in America…Turn back now if the weather is bad.”
8. Catskill Mountains, NY
source: studyzone
The “Devil’s Path” will leave even the most hardcore and hardened mountaineers around the planet pleading for salvation. Home of the 6-Peaks that span over 14,000 feet in length and more than 3,500 feet in elevation, the Devils Path in Catskill, NY will test every hikers balance and patience while traversing the slippery rocks and dense undergrowth that the hike offers. The reward in finishing this adventure is also spectacular. Views of splashing waterfalls, secluded woodlands, and vistas that span four different states will make you appreciate the beauty of nature and the American outdoors in general.