Each year, hundreds of hikers die or require rescue on U.S. trails. While many routes are safe with proper planning, certain trails consistently lead to severe injury, complex evacuations, or death.
This case study analyzes the ten most dangerous hiking trails in the country—routes where the risks are well-documented and ongoing.
Here, “dangerous” refers to more than difficulty. These trails show patterns of high fatality rates, extreme exposure, unpredictable weather, and frequent search and rescue (SAR) operations.
Many combine technical terrain with environmental hazards like heat, altitude, river crossings, or sheer drop-offs.
To identify them, we reviewed National Park Service incident records, SAR reports, news archives, and wilderness medicine research. The goal is to understand where and why hikers face serious consequences—and how those risks are managed on the ground.
The following profiles break down each trail’s hazards, recent incidents, rescue difficulty, and protective measures in place.
1. Angel’s Landing
Zion National Park, Utah
Over 18 hikers have fallen to their deaths here since the 1990s. Despite permits, chains, and warning signs, serious accidents still happen.
What makes this trail so compelling is also what makes it so dangerous: big exposure, big views, and big consequences when something goes wrong.
Trail Snapshot
| Trail Length | 5.4 miles round trip |
| Elevation Gain | ~1,500 feet |
| Difficulty | Strenuous |
| Permit Required? | Yes (since April 2022) |
| Known Fatalities | 18+ (1987–2025) |
| Primary Risks | Falls, crowding, exposure |
Recent Incidents
Several well-documented accidents show how quickly things can go wrong, even for experienced hikers.
- Feb 2025 – Cesar Herrera-Ruiz died in a fall on the Canyon Overlook Trail, Zion’s first fatality of the year (NYT, St George News).
- May 2024 – A man died near Scout Lookout. Officials haven’t released details (NPS).
Why It’s So Dangerous
Between 2007 and 2024, Zion National Park recorded 59 fatalities, averaging approximately 3.3 deaths per year. Angel’s Landing was responsible for more than 18. (We Win Injury Law).
This trail is narrow, steep, and fully exposed. The last half-mile runs along a slick sandstone ridge just a few feet wide, with nothing but open air on both sides. Chains offer support, but they’re no safeguard against slips, especially in crowds, heat, or fatigue.
Hikers often freeze up or misstep while passing others.
In summer, intense sun and dehydration turn this already risky climb into a serious physical and mental challenge, especially for people in better physical shape who are more prone to underestimate risk (Hiker Heat Risk Study).
Rescue Difficulty
Rescue teams in Zion know this trail well, but getting to an injured hiker isn’t simple. High-angle rescues take time and technical skill. Helicopters help when they can, but canyon thermals and tight landings often limit air access.
In most cases, rangers have to climb in and carry out on a trail where even walking upright is risky.
What Authorities Are Doing
The National Park Service has taken multiple steps to reduce accidents and educate hikers, but the risk remains.
- Permit Lottery: Since April 2022, hikers need a permit to reach the upper section. The system limits crowding and encourages planning ahead (NPS). Hiking without a permit can bring fines or jail time. Park staff take compliance seriously (NPS PDF).
- Trail Checks: Rangers inspect the chains, monitor trail conditions, and close access during storms or extreme heat (NPS Conditions).
- Hiker Education: The park pushes safety messaging hard – via signs, ranger programs, and online updates. They encourage hikers to assess their own limits before committing.
2. Half Dome Cables Route
Yosemite National Park, California
Half Dome is one of Yosemite’s most iconic hikes, and also one of its most hazardous. The final 400-foot ascent up steep granite requires hikers to pull themselves up a slick, sloped rock face using steel cables. That final stretch has claimed lives, especially in bad weather.
Trail Snapshot
| Trail Length | 14–16 miles round trip |
| Elevation Gain | ~4,800 feet |
| Difficulty | Very strenuous |
| Permit Required? | Yes (since 2010) |
| Known Fatalities | 10+ on cables |
| Primary Risks | Wet rock, falls, lightning, crowding |
Recent Incidents
Several fatal falls, especially in wet conditions, have renewed scrutiny over the trail’s safety.
- July 2024 – Grace Rohloff, 20, slipped from the cables during a storm and died, despite efforts to save her (LA Times). Rohloff’s death marked the seventh fatal cable fall during wet conditions since 2006 (SFGate).
- Previous cable deaths include a series of incidents in 2019 (SFGate), 2018 (Santa Cruz Sentinel), and earlier, several of which involved hikers caught in the rain or descending in crowded conditions.
Why It’s So Dangerous
The cables run up a steep 45-degree granite slope. When dry, the climb is tough but manageable. When wet, the rock becomes extremely slick, almost polished (NPS).
The wooden boards between posts offer traction, but when dozens of hikers crowd the route, footing becomes unstable. In some areas, bypassing others or waiting on sloped rock adds physical and mental stress.
Lightning is another overlooked threat. The top of Half Dome is fully exposed, making it one of the last places you want to be in a storm. Add in fatigue from the long climb, and misjudgments are common.
Rescue Difficulty
Falls often happen near the summit, where rescues are complex. Rangers may hike in or call for a helicopter, but weather and visibility can delay flights.
Narrow trails slow access, making airlifts the most effective option. According to the NPS, most serious injuries on this route require helicopter evacuation (NPS).
What Authorities Are Doing
The NPS manages Half Dome’s risks through permits, education, and infrastructure—but unpredictable weather and human choices remain tough to control.
- Since 2010 a lottery-based permit system limits daily hikers (NPS)
- Trail signs and online updates warn of storms and slick cables.
- Rangers with the PSAR team speak with hikers en route, urging caution.
While the cables are seasonally removed and inspected, the park doesn’t enforce closures during storms or wet conditions, which was criticized by several studies over the years (Lawson & Newman, Spano, S.J. et al.)
3. Bright Angel Trail
Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona
Stretching from the South Rim down to the Colorado River, the trail tempts hikers with accessible trailheads, water stations, and stunning views.
But the real danger hides in the canyon’s extreme heat, brutal climbs, and the tendency for hikers to underestimate just how hard the return trip can be.
Trail Snapshot
| Trail Length | Up to 19 miles round trip (Rim to River) |
| Elevation Gain | ~4,380 feet |
| Difficulty | Strenuous (especially on ascent) |
| Permit Required? | No (day hike); Yes (overnight/backcountry) |
| Known Fatalities | Dozens annually in the park; many on trail |
| Primary Risks | Heat exhaustion, cardiac arrest, dehydration |
Recent Incidents
Bright Angel has seen a sharp rise in deaths and medical calls, especially during summer.
- July 2024 – A 50-year-old hiker from San Angelo, TX, was found unresponsive 100 feet below the trailhead. CPR attempts failed (NPS, ABC).
- June 29, 2024 – A 69-year-old man was found semi-conscious on the River Trail. He could not be revived (NPS).
- June 16, 2024 – A 41-year-old male hiker died after collapsing on the trail. Rangers cited extreme heat and overexertion as likely factors (NPS).
Why It’s So Dangerous
Hiking down feels easy, but the return is grueling. The trail drops over 4,000 feet, and summer temperatures inside the canyon regularly hit 110–120°F, even in the shade.
The climb back out is relentless, and by the time hikers turn around, many are already dehydrated or overheated (NPS)
Many hikers suffer from heat exhaustion, hyponatremia (overhydration without salt), or cardiac events triggered by exertion.
Rescue Difficulty
Yosemite’s SAR teams respond to hundreds of heat-related incidents each year, especially in summer. Most rescues on Bright Angel require rangers to hike down, assess, and often assist with rehydration or cooling before evacuation.
In extreme cases, helicopters are used, but canyon walls and narrow air corridors make landings tricky.
What Authorities Are Doing
Bright Angel Trail is home to one of the most proactive safety programs in the country. Rangers and PSAR volunteers patrol daily during peak season, offering water, checking on hikers, and encouraging early turnarounds when needed.
The “Hike Smart” campaign reinforces these efforts with clear messaging on when to hike, what to bring, and how to spot danger signs (NPS).
Trail crews maintain switchbacks, shade structures, and water points, though backup purification is still recommended.
4. Mist Trail / Vernal Falls
Yosemite National Park, California
While scenic, the combination of slippery rock, high foot traffic, and fast-moving water on the Mist Trail has led to dozens of serious injuries and deaths over the years.
Trail Snapshot
| Trail Length | ~7 miles round trip (to Nevada Fall) |
| Elevation Gain | ~2,000 feet |
| Difficulty | Moderate to strenuous |
| Permit Required? | No (day hike); Yes (for wilderness travel) |
| Known Fatalities | 20+ near Vernal/Nevada Falls (2000s–2020s) |
| Primary Risks | Slips, drowning, falls, wet granite |
Recent Incidents
Even in the absence of deaths, serious rescues highlight the trail’s ongoing hazards.
- 2025 – A hiker slipped 20–30 feet down granite stairs and had to be airlifted by CHP helicopter to a trauma center. The fall occurred despite clear signage and maintained trail infrastructure (ABC30).
- Ongoing – Mist Trail regularly ranks among Yosemite’s highest for search and rescue (SAR) callouts due to its combination of water, rock, and traffic.
Why It’s So Dangerous
Mist Trail conditions shift constantly with weather and waterfall volume. The granite steps near Vernal Fall stay slick year-round, worsened by waterfall spray. (NPS)
Tourists hike in sneakers or sandals, underestimate the climb, or lean too close to the riverbank for photos.
Drowning deaths above Vernal and Nevada Falls often involve strong swimmers who are swept over the edge in seconds. Even below the falls, wet rock and steep steps create fall hazards during peak crowding. (NPS)
Rescue Difficulty
Mist Trail sees frequent rescues due to slick granite, crowding, and steep terrain. Falls near Vernal and Nevada Falls often require helicopter airlifts, especially for head or spinal injuries. SAR teams handle 200–250 calls annually, with a large share coming from this busy, hazardous corridor (SFGate).
What Authorities Are Doing
Yosemite’s Mist Trail Corridor is one of its most closely managed areas, thanks to frequent accidents and high visitor traffic.
- Preventive SAR rangers and volunteers patrol regularly, offering gear checks and safety advice (Yosemite.org).
- Ongoing upgrades improve signage, footing, and congestion.
- Outreach campaigns like “Hike Smart” focus on preventing slips, drownings, and risky behavior near fast-moving water and slick granite stairs (NPS Project Page).
5. The Presidential Traverse
White Mountains, New Hampshire
With over 160 deaths recorded in the Presidential Range since 1849, this hike has one of the highest fatality rates per vertical foot in the country. Even seasoned hikers have died here due to misjudged forecasts or sudden whiteouts.
Trail Snapshot
| Trail Length | ~20–24 miles (varies by route) |
| Elevation Gain | ~9,000 feet cumulative |
| Difficulty | Very strenuous |
| Permit Required? | No (but overnight shelter reservations advised) |
| Known Fatalities | 160+ (since 1849) |
| Primary Risks | Hypothermia, falls, whiteouts, lightning |
Recent Incidents
Recent years continue to show how quickly things can go wrong, especially in winter and shoulder seasons.
- January 2024 – Experienced hiker Christopher Roma, 37, died near Mount Guyot during a solo hike in severe winter conditions, including single-digit temperatures and waist-deep snow (AP News).
- February 2024 – Cole Matthes, 22, was rescued after slipping and injuring himself in Ammonoosuc Ravine on Mount Washington (Seacoastonline).
- March 2024 – Madison Saltsburg, 20, died after falling approximately 600 vertical feet in Tuckerman Ravine on Mount Washington (NHPR)
Why It’s So Dangerous
The range includes nine major summits, all above 4,000 feet, with miles of trail entirely above treeline. There’s no protection from wind, cold, or storms.
Mount Washington, the tallest and most infamous peak, held the record for the world’s fastest surface wind (231 mph) and averages more than 100 days of hurricane-force gusts per year (Fox News).
Rapid weather shifts—sunshine turning to sleet in minutes—are normal. Whiteouts can erase the trail entirely. And since many hikers attempt the full traverse in a single day, fatigue becomes a key risk, especially when paired with late starts or route-finding errors.
Rescue Difficulty
Most rescues on the traverse require ground teams hiking in with technical gear, often in freezing wind, rain, or darkness. Helicopters can’t reliably fly in high winds or low visibility. Many victims are found hypothermic or unconscious hours after their last known location.
What Authorities Are Doing
Education and self-responsibility form the backbone of safety here, alongside New England’s toughest SAR crews.
- HikeSafe Program: New Hampshire’s flagship initiative promotes the Ten Essentials and sound judgment. The optional Hike Safe Card helps fund rescues and shields cardholders from reimbursement fees.
- Forecast Literacy: The Mount Washington Observatory shares detailed reports, but hikers must know how to read and act on alpine forecasts (Mount Washington).
- Volunteer-Led Rescues: Organizations like AMC and Mountain Rescue Service conduct most operations, often in whiteouts or high winds (AMC).
- No Permits: There’s no quota system here. The region relies on personal readiness, trail signage, and shared backcountry culture (NH).
6. Kalalau Trail
Nā Pali Coast, Kauai, Hawaii
The Kalalau Trail draws hikers with its raw coastal beauty, but its terrain and remoteness make it one of the most dangerous trails in the U.S.
Winding 11 miles along Kauaʻi’s rugged Nā Pali Coast, the trail includes exposed cliffs, flash-flood-prone stream crossings, and steep drop-offs that claim lives every year.
Trail Snapshot
| Trail Length | 22 miles round trip (to Kalalau Beach) |
| Elevation Gain | ~6,200 feet cumulative |
| Difficulty | Very strenuous |
| Permit Required? | Yes (camping or hiking past Hanakāpīʻai) |
| Known Fatalities | 15+ confirmed; dozens of rescues annually |
| Primary Risks | Falls, flash floods, rockslides, illness |
Recent Incidents
Injuries and illness continue to trigger rescues—even near the trailhead.
- Mar 23, 2025 – A Utah hiker suffered a leg injury near mile 1.5 and was airlifted to Princeville for medical care (Kaua‘i County).
- Mar 28, 2025 – Another visitor from Ohio was rescued after sustaining an injury on the trail (County Press).
- Sept 2024 – A norovirus outbreak forced a full trail closure after dozens of hikers fell ill with vomiting and fever. DLNR reopened only part of the trail for day use later that month (Hawai‘i Public Radio).
Why It’s So Dangerous
The trail follows narrow ledges carved into sea cliffs, with several exposed sections, most notably Crawlers Ledge, where footing is precarious and one misstep means a fatal fall.
Tropical storms and rainfall happen frequently, triggering flash floods that can turn stream crossings like Hanakoa and Hanakāpīʻai into impassable torrents. Hikers caught between swollen streams and cliffs have died trying to cross back.
Loose rock, mud, and rip currents add to the danger, with falls, drownings, and rockslides claiming many experienced hikers and swimmers.
Rescue Difficulty
Kalalau is remote, and there’s no cell service. Injured hikers must rely on satellite beacons, visual signals, or other hikers to get help.
The Kaua‘i Fire Department and Hawai‘i DLNR conduct rescues using helicopters equipped for short-haul extractions, but cloud cover and narrow landing zones often delay response.
What Authorities Are Doing
Hawai‘i State Parks enforces permits, maintains warning signage, and issues frequent closures to keep hikers safe.
- Permit System: Hikers must obtain permits to go beyond Hanakāpīʻai or to camp at Kalalau Beach. Rangers regularly check for violations (DLNR).
- Trail Closures: DLNR frequently closes the trail during storms, landslides, or health emergencies. For example, the 2024 norovirus outbreak led to a full closure for over a week (Gov. Newsroom).
7. Maroon Bells – Four Pass Loop
White River National Forest, Colorado
Though not as deadly as some high-profile trails, this loop sees regular rescues due to altitude sickness, exhaustion, and fast-changing weather.
Even experienced hikers have needed airlifts after getting caught in snow, losing gear, or underestimating the loop’s intensity.
Trail Snapshot
| Trail Length | ~26 miles loop |
| Elevation Gain | ~7,500 feet |
| Difficulty | Very strenuous |
| Permit Required? | Yes (overnight stays) |
| Known Fatalities | Dozens (Maroon Bells area, historical trend) |
| Primary Risks | Altitude, storms, slips, rockfall, isolation |
Recent Incidents
Recent rescues underscore the loop’s remoteness and the real costs of misjudgment.
- July 2024 – Two hikers were stranded while attempting the loop and required an 11-hour search-and-rescue effort near Snowmass Lake (The Aspen Times).
- June 2024 – Hikers lost gear and became trapped during harsh weather near Buckskin Pass. Mountain Rescue Aspen reported high winds and snow during the incident (SnowBrains).
Why It’s So Dangerous
All four passes—Buckskin, Trail Rider, Frigid Air, and West Maroon—sit above 12,000 feet, exposing hikers to acute mountain sickness even if they’re fit. Headaches, nausea, and disorientation can come on fast and worsen without descent.
The trail also includes technical sections with loose scree, steep climbs, and narrow traverses.
The weather flips without notice. Sudden summer storms bring hail or sleet, and lightning at elevation is a deadly threat. Snow in July isn’t rare. Add in thin air, remote miles, and slow bail-out options, and it’s clear why this loop tests physical and mental limits.
Rescue Difficulty
Access points like Maroon Lake and Snowmass Trailhead offer entry, but the interior of the loop is days from help. Helicopter rescues are sometimes possible, but terrain, weather, and thin air make them unpredictable.
Most evacuations involve SAR teams hiking long distances in with heavy gear, often at night, in alpine conditions.
In 2024 alone, multiple rescues required air and foot operations due to weather and poor preparation. There’s no cell service, and many hikers still forgo GPS beacons, relying on hope instead of a plan.
What Authorities Are Doing
The Forest Service and local rescue teams focus on prevention, preparation, and wilderness ethics.
- Since 2023, overnight permits are required year-round, with designated sites near Crater Lake and strict rules for dispersed camping (White River NF).
- Bear canisters are mandatory due to frequent bear activity, and group sizes are limited to protect the landscape.
- Rangers and local outfitters emphasize Leave No Trace, altitude prep, and lightning safety.
- Mountain Rescue Aspen, funded by donations, handles an increasing number of volunteer-led rescues.
8. Mount Whitney Trail
Inyo National Forest, California
Mount Whitney, the tallest peak in the contiguous U.S. at 14,505 feet, is a magnet for ambitious hikers. But the altitude, fickle weather, and rugged terrain make it a place where small mistakes quickly snowball into serious emergencies.
While it’s non-technical in summer, the trail’s 16,000+ annual permit holders still see frequent rescues, and at least six hikers have died over the past decade. Incidents spike in shoulder seasons when snow and ice linger on exposed sections like the 97 Switchbacks.
Trail Snapshot
| Trail Length | 22 miles round-trip |
| Elevation Gain | ~6,100 feet |
| Difficulty | Strenuous to extreme |
| Permit Required? | Yes (lottery, year-round) |
| Known Fatalities | 6+ in past decade |
| Primary Risks | Altitude, ice, rockfall, exhaustion, weather |
Recent Incidents
- Jan 2025 – Taylor Rodriguez, 29, was found dead near Upper Boy Scout Lake after a solo winter attempt. He’d gone missing for five days (The Trek).
- Nov 2024 – Two hikers carrying 150 lbs of gear were rescued after becoming exhausted mid-climb. One had altitude-related medical issues (Snow Brains).
- Sept 2024 – Five climbers required rescue after being trapped by early-season ice on upper trail sections (SF Chronicle).
Why It’s So Dangerous
Altitude is the big variable. Even fit hikers can be hit with AMS (Acute Mountain Sickness) at 12,000 feet. Add in fatigue, rockfall, or snow patches, and the final miles become risky.
“Summit fever” pushes some to keep going despite clear warning signs—often leading to rescues or worse.
Rescue Difficulty
SAR missions are coordinated by Inyo County Search & Rescue, often with helicopter support. The response can be fast near Whitney Portal but slow above 12,000 feet.
Rescue costs aren’t charged to victims, but terrain and altitude often demand rope teams and aerial extractions.
What Authorities Are Doing
To balance heavy foot traffic with safety and conservation, officials around Mount Whitney have implemented a range of protective measures.
- A strict permit system limits daily hikers, while seasonal updates are shared via the Whitney Portal store and online forums (Rec.gov).
- Bear canisters are required overnight, and camping is restricted in sensitive areas like Mirror Lake to protect fragile ecosystems (USFS).
How Do These Trails Compare
Some of the most dangerous trails in the U.S., like Maroon Bells (~26 miles) and Mount Whitney (~22 miles), are long, high-elevation pushes. But others, like Angel’s Landing, pack serious risk into just a few miles.
Trails like the Presidential Traverse, Maroon Bells, and Mount Whitney demand the most elevation gain, often over 6,000 feet, placing a huge strain on endurance and acclimatization.
While some trails are long and steep endurance tests, like Maroon Bells and the Presidential Traverse, others, like Angel’s Landing and Mist Trail, are much shorter but still dangerous due to concentrated risks like exposure, crowds, and slick terrain.
Elevation and mileage alone don’t capture the full picture of trail danger.
Most trails share multiple overlapping risks, especially falls and weather, while only a few, like Kalalau and Maroon Bells, check nearly every danger box. The conclusion is that risk is a combination of hazards that compound in challenging environments.
Conclusion: What These Trails Teach Us
After digging through dozens of fatality reports, rescue logs, and ranger statements, one pattern is hard to ignore: danger doesn’t come from difficulty alone, it comes from the mix of exposure, crowds, and misjudgment.
Trails like Angel’s Landing and Half Dome aren’t technically extreme, but they funnel thousands of people onto narrow, exposed terrain where one misstep ends badly.
Others, like the Presidential Traverse or Mount Whitney, challenge even the prepared with high elevation, unpredictable weather, and isolation.
Injury and death most often stem from five overlapping issues:
- Environmental exposure (extreme heat, cold, or storms)
- Altitude and physical overexertion
- Slippery or exposed terrain
- Navigation errors or timing mistakes
- Ignoring early signs of distress
And yet, these trails remain worth exploring, not because the danger defines them, but because they demand respect. They ask hikers to show up with humility, training, and good judgment.
Trail-Tested Safety Principles
If you take anything from this study, let it be this:
- Start early, especially in desert and alpine zones.
- Turn around before it’s too late. The summit isn’t worth your life.
- Know your limits. Conditioning, not confidence, keeps you safe.
- Check the weather—twice. And don’t gamble with it.
- Eat and drink more than you think you need.
- Respect rescue resources. PSAR teams work hard to prevent calls that shouldn’t have happened.
These trails won’t forgive carelessness. But if you approach them with the right mindset and preparation, they’ll offer something unforgettable and for all the right reasons.
