10 Trails That Have Killed More Hikers Than People Realize

Why Famous Trails Turn Deadly

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The trails below aren't obscure. Most are famous, well-marked and visited by hundreds of thousands of people a year, and that's part of the problem. Easy access, glossy photographs and social media buzz bring in hikers who don't realize what they're signing up for: exposed ledges, slick rock, sudden storms, extreme heat, high altitude or river crossings that flood without warning. Official fatality tallies are hard to compare, since parks count deaths differently and many trails sit within larger park statistics. Even so, rangers and search-and-rescue teams point to the same patterns each year. Falls, heat illness, hypothermia, lightning and drownings account for most deaths. Preparing for the specific hazards of each route makes a big difference. The 10 trails below carry real risks, and none of them is a reason to stay home. They are a reason to check weather, carry the right gear and be honest about your fitness and experience.

Angels Landing, Zion National Park

Angels Landing is a narrow sandstone spine in Zion where the final half mile follows a path with sheer drops on both sides and chains bolted into the rock for handholds. Counts differ, but dozens of people have fallen to their deaths here, and one tally put the number of known fatalities at more than a dozen since 2000, with additional deaths reported since. More hikers have died falling here than on any other trail in the park. Crowds are a big part of the risk, since hikers must pass one another on a ledge with little room. Zion now uses a permit system for the chained section to limit the number of people. Wet or icy rock, high winds and afternoon thunderstorms make it worse. Hikers should check conditions, avoid the chains if they're afraid of heights and never step off-trail for a photo.

Half Dome Cables, Yosemite

The last 400 feet of the Half Dome hike climbs a steep granite slope using two steel cables with wooden planks to rest on. The route is exhausting after a 14- to 16-mile day, and the granite becomes extremely slippery when wet. Thunderstorms build quickly in the Sierra, and lightning on the dome has forced hikers to flee down the cables in dangerous conditions. Falls from the cables have killed hikers over the years. The Park Service requires a permit for the cable section during the season to control crowds, and the cables are usually up from late May until October. Gloves with good grip are essential, and so is an early start so that you're off the dome by early afternoon. Hikers should turn back if clouds are building or the rock is wet. Reaching the top safely matters far more than any summit photograph.

Beehive Trail, Acadia National Park

The Beehive Trail climbs a granite cliff in Acadia using iron rungs and ladders bolted into the rock, with ledges and exposure on one side. It's short, but it's rated as one of the park's most strenuous trails, and one tally cites at least eight deaths in the area since 2012. Many visitors arrive expecting a casual walk, and some bring small children or dogs, which the Park Service warns against. The rocks get slippery when wet, and the trail becomes crowded in summer, forcing hikers to pause on narrow ledges. Rangers advise anyone afraid of heights to skip it and say it is not a place for those with a fear of exposure. Closure signs go up in icy conditions. Acadia has other trails with spectacular views and less exposure, and the nearby Bubbles offers a safer alternative with similar scenery.

Mount Washington, New Hampshire

Mount Washington is only 6,288 feet high, but its position at the meeting point of several storm tracks gives it some of the worst weather in the world. Wind speeds above hurricane force are common in winter, and the summit once recorded a gust of 231 miles per hour in 1934, then a world record. Well over a hundred people have died on the mountain since the 1800s, from exposure, falls, avalanches and hypothermia. Temperatures can plunge in minutes even in summer, and hikers dressed for a sunny trailhead can find themselves in freezing fog near the top. The Mount Washington Observatory and the Appalachian Mountain Club post daily forecasts, and the summit has a road and cog railway that make it look accessible. Carry layers, a map and a willingness to turn back.

Maroon Bells, Colorado

The Maroon Bells near Aspen are among the most photographed peaks in the Rockies, and they're also nicknamed the "Deadly Bells" for the loose, crumbling rock on their slopes. Eight people died on the peaks in one season in 1965, and the rock is still famously unstable, with holds that break away without warning. Climbing the peaks requires scrambling on steep, crumbly rock above 14,000 feet, where rockfall and falls have killed experienced climbers. Weather turns fast in the Elk Mountains, with afternoon thunderstorms most summer days. The popular Maroon Lake Scenic Trail at the base is a gentle walk, and many visitors never go beyond it, which is the safest way to enjoy the view. Those who do attempt the peaks need alpine experience, early starts and the discipline to turn around. The mountain's name and reputation are earned.

Kalalau Trail, Kauaʻi

The Kalalau Trail runs 11 miles along Kauaʻi's Na Pali Coast, crossing streams, sea cliffs and narrow ledges with sweeping drops to the ocean. The first two miles to Hanakāpīʻai Beach are popular day hikes, but the stream crossing there has claimed lives when sudden upstream rain caused flash floods. Hikers who cross in calm conditions can find themselves trapped by rising water on the way back. Further along, sections like the Crawler's Ledge hang above a steep drop, and the trail is slick and muddy in wet weather. Ocean hazards add to the risk, with strong rip currents that make swimming at the beaches dangerous. Park officials advise checking the weather and stream conditions, never crossing a rising stream, and carrying enough water and food. A permit is required for the overnight beyond the first two miles.

Grand Canyon Corridor Trails

The Bright Angel and South Kaibab trails drop thousands of feet from the rim to the Colorado River, and hikers who start down feeling great have to climb back up in the heat. The park averages roughly a dozen deaths a year from causes including falls, heat illness, cardiac events and drownings, though not all are on trails. In summer, temperatures at the canyon bottom can top 110 degrees Fahrenheit, and the Park Service warns that going down is optional but coming up is mandatory. Heat exhaustion, dehydration and hyponatremia, from drinking too much water without electrolytes, are common reasons for rescues. Rangers recommend starting before dawn, carrying extra food and salty snacks, and never trying to hike from the rim to the river and back in a day in summer. Turn around early if you feel unwell, and rest in the shade during midday hours.

Mount Whitney Trail, California

At 14,505 feet, Mount Whitney is the tallest peak in the contiguous United States, and its 22-mile round-trip main trail attracts thousands of hikers each summer. Though it's not technical in good conditions, the altitude, distance and weather make it a serious undertaking. Altitude sickness is common and can become life-threatening, and lightning storms hit the exposed ridges in the afternoon. The final stretch on the "99 switchbacks" and the ridge to the summit has some exposure, and ice and snow linger late into the season, making it far more dangerous. Hikers have died from falls, exposure and medical emergencies. A permit lottery limits daily use. Acclimatize by spending a night or two at high elevation before you go, start before dawn, carry traction devices if there's snow and turn back if clouds start to build.

Longs Peak Keyhole Route, Colorado

Longs Peak is one of Colorado's 14ers, at 14,259 feet, and its Keyhole Route is a long, demanding day that includes a boulder field, narrow ledges and the exposed "Narrows" with a long drop below. It's the most popular route and it's still a Class 3 scramble, not a walk. Dozens of climbers have died on the mountain since records began, from falls, lightning and exposure. Afternoon thunderstorms are common in summer, so rangers urge hikers to start around 3 a.m. and be off the summit by noon. Wet or icy rock makes the exposed sections treacherous. The Keyhole is a notch in the ridge where the real climbing starts, and many hikers turn around there, which is a reasonable decision. Carry a helmet, layers and a headlamp, and be willing to bail the moment weather or fatigue change the plan.

Mist Trail, Yosemite

The Mist Trail in Yosemite follows the Merced River past Vernal Fall and Nevada Fall and is one of the park's most popular hikes. Spray from the falls soaks the stone steps, making them slick, and the river above the falls runs fast in spring and early summer. Visitors have died after slipping into the Merced above the waterfalls, where the current can sweep people over the edge. Rangers repeatedly warn people not to wade or cross barriers above the falls, and not to go in the water at all during snowmelt season. Cold water, hidden currents and smooth granite make it impossible to climb out once you're swept in. The trail itself is safe for most hikers who stay on the paved and stepped route. Rain gear, good traction and respect for the river are all you need, but the barriers and signs are there for a reason.

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