Hiking can be an exciting and rewarding activity, but it can also be one of the most challenging experiences. Those who take on this challenge bask in the reward of reaching the summit, all while soaring over rugged trails and dangerous terrain. For those looking for something even further outside their comfort zone, there are certain hikes that must be seen to be believed, offering intense physical and mental obstacles in order to cross the finish line. From scaling immense rock faces, climbing rickety ladders and fighting through strong gusts of wind on a peak miles above sea level – a truly difficult hike is one that will leave you feeling exhausted, elated, and inspired all at once.
Hiking is a beloved pastime for many, and the United States has no shortage of hilly terrain, dangerous roughest, and impressive mountain ranges to explore. However, it can often be difficult to determine at the outset exactly what makes a hike hard – what might be too taxing for one person, could be a welcomed adventure by another. A multitude of factors including physical difficulty, environmental dangers, logistics of getting there and back safe, and other uncontrollable considerations all factor into how challenging a hike can be. Ranking the most difficult hikes in the US are not easy tasks as such variations exist between hikers’ experiences; but these 7 American hikes have been known that over the years they offer an array of tough climbing trails that are sure to challenge both beginners and advanced outdoorspeople alike.
South Kaibab Trail/Bright Angel Trail
- Location: Arizona’s Grand Canyon
- Total Distance: 28 Km (17 miles)
- Hard: Serious hikers only
The South Kaibab and Bright Angel Trails are akin to descending into a giant hole and then ascending back out again. This journey takes you deep into the Grand Canyon, where you’ll get a perspective on the canyon that most visitors won’t see. However, the path is quite perilous. The scarcity of water, the trail’s length, and the scorching heat all contribute to the challenge. Each year, around 250 hikers need to be rescued due to heat exhaustion and dehydration.
Kalalau Trail
- Location: Hawaii (Kauai)
- Length: 17.7 kilometers (one way) (11 miles)
- Difficulty: Difficult for most
The Kalalau Trail is without a doubt one of the most beautiful and challenging hikes in the United States. This trail is nothing short of dangerous, from its disintegrating trail beds and plunging cliffs to its slippery inclines and seemingly impossible climbs. Even a little shower may transform the path into a perilous slip and slide, which is less than ideal when you’re perched on the brink of a cliff that drops 90 metres (295 feet) into jagged waves. It’s a popular walk among both locals and tourists because it leads to Kalalau, one of the most stunning beaches in the world.
Muir Snowfield Trail
- Location: Washington (Mount Rainier)
- Length: 14.4 kilometres (7.7 miles)
- Difficulty: Mountaineering experience required
The Muir Snowfield is more challenging than the others because of the subzero temperatures and harsh arctic scenery. Hikers without prior alpine climbing experience stand an extremely slim chance of reaching the peak. The approximately 4,400-meter-tall (14,435.7-foot-tall) behemoth has caused slips and frostbite for even the most seasoned mountaineers. The trail begins seemingly harmlessly, meandering through flower-filled meadows. Don’t be fooled by the easy beginning; things take a sharp turn when you have to hike straight up the mountain.
The Maze
- Location: Canyonlands, Utah
- Length: 22.7 kilometers (14 miles)
- Difficulty: Expert level
The Maze is so named because it is a confusing maze of Redrock and dead-end valleys that requires careful navigation and independence from outside help. The scenery on this walk is stunning, but novice hikers should not attempt it. The interconnected, visually identical valleys, the high cliffs with no vantage points, the limited water availability, and the extreme heat (about 48 degrees Celsius) are all obstacles. (118 degrees Fahrenheit). If you make a mistake, the rescue committee could be delayed by three days.
Huckleberry Mountain
- Location: Montana
- Length: 22.5 kilometers (14 miles)
- Difficulty: Bear Grylls level
The chances of seeing a bear are higher in Glacier National Park than they are in any of the other lower 48 states. With the highest bear density in the southern United States, this lovely park should be approached with caution by hikers. At a density of 35 bears per 2.5 square kilometers, a recent research estimates that there are more than 550 bears in the park. Planning and preparation to the point that you are certain you might escape a bear attack makes the walk more challenging to manage. The paths are lovely, and the mountain air is refreshing, but it’s impossible to walk with any degree of confidence knowing a grizzly bear might be lurking around the next bend.
Barr Trail
- Location: Colorado
- Length: 21 kilometers (13 miles)
- Difficulty: Fearless hikers only
In terms of difficulty, the Barr Trail isn’t very difficult, but it does present its own special challenge: electrical activity. To be more exact, thunderstorms with lightning. Pikes Peak, the tallest peak in Colorado, is the epicenter of an extraordinary amount of electrical activity in the state’s mountainous regions. There is a road that leads to the peak, but most hikers consider that to be the lazy option. The Barr Trail winds through beautiful meadows and boulder fields before reaching the peak, which offers unparalleled panoramas. Others, though, contend that the danger of being struck by lightning isn’t worth the effort required to climb to the top.
Summary
Hiking can be a great way to help stay active and explore the wonders of nature. Of course, some hikes are more challenging than others. In the United States, there are some hikes that push the limits of even seasoned outdoor adventurers. From slopes of big mountains to steep paths through dense forest, the most challenging hikes in America offer both physical and mental tests. There are numerous thrilling places for hikers to explore in this vast nation. Combining spectacular scenery along with strenuous climbs, these tough trails will surely make you feel like a true outdoorsman at the end of your adventures!