Hikes That Might Try to Kill You (and Hikes for the Rest of Us)

I've actually had some requests for this from some of you, so I thought I'd see what I can do. I'm not a hiker myself, at least not at the moment. I used to get up early and take my dogs to hike at a local state park almost daily, but some back issues I developed during my caregiving years kind of ended that. It is something I hope to get back to one day, though. 

Even so, I do recognize that not all hiking is created equal. Some people love the thrill and adventure of it all, while others see it as a way to relax, calm their brains, and get a little exercise. Some fall in between those two categories. What's important is that more and more people are turning to the great outdoors for pleasure.  

According to the Outdoor Industry Association, 58 million Americans go hiking each year, and that number is on the rise, as are other outdoor activities, especially among seniors, youth, and various other groups. In other words, everyone wants a little breath of fresh air.  

Whatever your own hiking speed, I hope you'll find some inspiring ideas within these lists.  

Hikes That Might Kill You 

This Mental Floss list of the "12 of America’s Most Dangerous Hikes" is part of what inspired this list. Even if I were in the best shape of my life, I probably wouldn't take these hikes, but if you're an adrenaline junkie, these are for you. Here are five that stood out to me: 

1. Kalalau Trail at Nā Pali Coast, Kauai, Hawaii: 11 miles along the Hawaiian coast? Mental Floss says this one is gorgeous, but there is plenty that can go wrong, including "sudden flash floods, steep cliffs, and narrow, muddy paths make it a magnet for adventurers and a nightmare for first responders." But if you're up for it, you can also see beautiful forests, sea caves, and beaches that most people will never experience. A few people have actually died on the trail, and Mental Floss says that in 2022, 46 people had to be rescued while hiking. Keep in mind that you may need a permit for this one, especially if you plan to go camping. 

2. Hawksbill Crag in Ozark National Forest, Arkansas: The nearly three-mile Whitaker Point Trail that takes you to Hawksbill Crag is considered a moderate hike itself. It's what you find when you get there that can be deadly. Hawksbill Crag looks like something out of a fairytale, as Mental Floss put it, and it offers some beautiful views of the Ozark National Forest. It's become one of the most-photographed spots in the state, and it's especially popular for those looking to get a cool selfie or an interesting marriage proposal backdrop. But all of that often comes at a price. Local officials say that at least one person falls there every year. 

3. Capitol Peak via Capitol Ditch Trail in Colorado: You probably need to be a professional for this one. The hike is 15.9 miles, and according to All Trails, "In order to reach the top, you'll need to complete a long Class 3-4 scramble along a knife edge ridge with steep drop-offs on either side. This is the standard route to the peak's summit." I don't know exactly what that means, so that's why I say it's probably for professionals. It's also prone to pop-up thunderstorms. Capitol Peak itself is a 150-foot "rock spine" with 1,000-foot drop-offs on either side, and many people have died attempting to hike it, including nine over the last two and a half decades. 

4. Tenaya Canyon in Yosemite National Park, California: Apparently, they call it Yosemite's "Bermuda Triangle." I took one look at the pictures and noted that it's gorgeous, but it's a no for me. I don't do well with slick surfaces, and this 10-mile trail seems to have plenty of them. Even John Muir, founder of the Sierra Club and a National Park advocate, spoke of its beauty, but he slipped and became unconscious while hiking. At least 17 people have died here, while many others have required rescue. It's important to note that many people get disoriented when hiking this spot. 

Tenaya Canyon, Yosemite National Park,
California USA 🇺🇸📍 pic.twitter.com/pX3G4nSOI0

— 𝕱𝖗𝖊𝖉𝖗𝖎𝖈𝖐 𝕻𝖗𝖎𝖙𝖈𝖍𝖊𝖙𝖙 🇺🇸♒ (@FredrickPritch9) July 16, 2025

5. Devil’s Path in Catskills, New York: If I were going to try any of these on the list, it might be this one (or maybe the one in Hawaii, just because that's my type of scenery). But don't expect to see me out there anytime soon. It's 24 miles, first of all, with a 9,000-foot ascent.  It's often called one of the most challenging hikes in New York, as well as the entire northeastern United States. "There are relentless elevation changes and rock scrambles, making for devilish ups and downs," and one woman who ran the trail in five hours (what?) said it's "like someone marched a straight line through the woods pinning trail markers to trees with complete disregard for what lay underfoot." I am not sure if anyone has ever died here, but it's a regular call for search-and-rescue teams looking for lost or injured hikers.  

Hikes That Don't Require Much Effort 

If those overwhelmed you, don't worry. I've got a few ideas for much easier hikes that still offer amazing scenic views. Some are even paved.  

1. Shark Valley Trail in Everglades National Park, Florida: I love a beautiful marsh view, and the 15-mile Tram Road hike at Everglades National Park offers plenty of that, along with wildlife sightings that range from alligators to wading birds. The entire path is flat and paved (it forms a loop), and if you're not up for a 15-mile hike, you can rent a bike or only explore a portion of it. Along the way, you can stop by an observation tower for panoramic views and journey through a tropical hardwood hammock.

2. Gatlinburg Trail in Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Tennessee: I've been reading about the best national parks for hiking, and the Great Smoky Mountains come up time and time again. The hike to Laurel Falls, which is just 2.6 miles, is said to be the longest and most popular of the park's "easy" paved trails. It's the one I originally planned to list here, but unfortunately, it's closed until next year for a rehabilitation project. Another one that stood out, however, is the Gatlinburg Trail, which is just under two miles, mostly flat, and runs along the Little Pigeon River. You can also rent a bike or bring your dog along if you like. You will need a parking pass, but it offers some pretty scenery and a little history along the way in the form of the remnants of old homesteads. 

3. Swiftcurrent Nature Trail in Glacier National Park, Montana: All Trails considers Swiftcurrent Nature Trail "easy" and "family-friendly." It forms a 2.6-mile loop around the Swiftcurrent Lake and offers some gorgeous mountain views and a generally flat space for hiking. Just keep in mind that it's not paved: "The trail surface is a stabilized soil surface for the first 0.25 miles and then a natural surface (dirt)."  

4.  Ka’ena Point Trail in Oahu, Hawaii: All Trails actually rates this one as moderate, but also as a good Hawaiian choice for kids and families. It's five miles, and there is little elevation change or technicality. It can get hot, though, and there is little shade, so bring some water and wear a hat. The site does point out that you can hike down some rock formations to get closer to the water, but they can get slick at high tide. It looks stunning, and it's said to be a great place for swimming and photography. 

Ka’ena Point Trail, north side of Oahu pic.twitter.com/6zzrb9HPjK

— Risk of Ruin Podcast (@halfkelly) January 30, 2025

5. Fay Canyon Trail in Sedona, Arizona: This one is also ranked as moderate, but it's considered kid-friendly. I think the reason for that ranking is that there are some rocky sections as you cross some dried-up creek beds, but I haven't read anything that would deter me, and I'm all about easy right now. Considered one of the "best hiking trails in Sedona," Fay Canyon is just over two miles. It "offers breathtaking views of unique rock formations, beautiful red rocks, and canyon walls." It's also shaded and somewhat cooler than the surrounding area.  

For our hikers in the audience, what do you prefer? Easy-peasy or near-death experiences? Let me know in the comments, and feel free to share some of your favorite hiking spots in our big, beautiful country.