Extreme Hiking: The most dangerous routes
hiking is a word that has a fairly clear connotation: simplicity, relaxation, ease... right? Well, there are routes and routes in the world that are completely far from the concept of hiking as an easily encompassable walk. There are extreme routes in the world of trekking and constant challenges, of course included in dreamlike and visually unbeatable spaces.
In today's post we are going to talk about some of the most extreme hiking routes found on the planet, in case you dare to do one this summer:
Drakensberg: Africa
This route takes place in South Africa, more specifically in the Natal National Park. This route is about 64 kilometers long covered by the most authentic South African culture, cave paintings more than 2000 years old, and an unlimited landscape power: steep peaks, forests, rivers, cliffs... This journey offers a real encounter with nature. and with the past of the continent.
However, we must be very alert to the environment that surrounds us when making this route, as it has somewhat unpredictable characteristics and the terrain is not always easy to follow. Until 1985, the hikers who lost their lives making this journey reached a total of 55, which may show that the journey has difficulties. What usually presents more difficulties when doing the Drakensberg route is above all the first stage of the path; You have to climb a practically vertical wall with hardly any firm grips or fastenings.
The Drakensberg is one of the highest mountain ranges on the continent. It is called the Drakensberg, or “the Dragon Mountains” because due to its altitude, it used to be said that only dragons were capable of flying over its peaks.
Huá-Shan: Asia
Hua Shan or Mount Hua, is one of the five sacred mountains of the Taoist region of China. This mountain is located about 120 kilometers east of Xian, the great influx of tourists it receives every year may be caused, in addition to the scenic beauty that this place offers, by the great religious impact found among the rocks of this mountain. , and which dates back to the 2nd century B.C.C. Along the way there are temples, monuments and authentic and virgin religious elements that are capable of transporting those who observe them back in time.
Despite being a visual marvel, the Huá-Shang trail is considered the most dangerous in the world. It has very narrow paths located on the edge of the precipices of the paths, the stairs are carved on the stone of the mountain and the inclination of the entire route makes the ascent practically vertical. Part of the course is on worn boards bolted to the rock face, so equipping yourself with a harness is mandatory to be safe as you try not to stare at the seemingly endless distance from your feet to solid ground. Sometimes it is necessary to resort to technical climbing and have slightly advanced notions about the realization of via ferrata.
Nevertheless, the demanding terrain is worth ascending this peak as the view from the summit is impressive. Many hikers, generally the most prepared, choose to go up when it is getting dark, sleep on top, and despite the cold, fatigue and wind characteristic of heights, they enjoy watching the sunrise and how the mountain lights up under their feet. . When the sun begins to warm again, they descend in a descent that lasts for about five or six hours, to the place where this risky, but renewing adventure began.
Kokoda: Oceania
Mount Kokoda lies between the north and south coasts of Papua and New Guinea, and the Kokoda trekking route is a of the most famous in the world. In addition to offering views that will take your breath away and an unrepeatable and impeccable landscape, this place is also home to history, as it was the scene of the fight between the Australian and Japanese armies at the start of the Pacific War, in World War II.
The trail extends over 100 kilometers that are usually covered between 4 and 12 days, through mountainous and jungle terrain, you can see both jungles and valleys, home to local villages that settled there centuries ago, as well as steep peaks and mountains.
To the difficulty inherent to the route we add that, during the day, it is humid and suffocating, and at night the temperatures drop resoundingly. To walk this rugged and imposing path, it is necessary to be a brave, dedicated and courageous person.
El Caminito del Rey: Europe
The Caminito del Rey route is located in Europe, specifically in Málaga, Spain. The beginning of the trail is surrounded by swamps, gorges and mountains, so the only viable option to reach it is to walk.
The route has a linear structure, that is, it does not start at the same point where it ends, and it is carried out using a via ferrata. The main attraction of the Caminito del Rey is that during the tour you live in a sensation of constant vertigo and you walk among rocks of gigantic dimensions.
The best time to do this route is during the month of September, however, it is necessary to reserve to travel it, since it receives a large amount of tourism throughout the year.
El Caminito del Rey rises over the Guadalhorce River and has walkways tied to the rock of the mountain, it runs through several gorges, canyons, and a spectacular valley.
A total of 8 kilometers are completed and the duration of the journey varies between three and four hours. It is possible that, of those mentioned, this is the least difficult route since it is quite commercialized and all possible facilities are offered to walkers and hikers, however, it is far from being a relaxed path and is worth looking at from another perspective. what the Andalusian landscape has to offer us.
Kalalau: Hawaii
This route is inaccessible, paradisiacal, it is located in a remote and almost unknown point in the Pacific; characteristics that make it especially famous. The dimensions and shapes of the mountains that surround the route are known by almost everyone, but identified by fewer; their sharp skyward peaks were the setting for the dinosaurs in Jurassic Park.
The route to Kalalau is also quite hard, normally it takes between one and two days to complete it and the route is about 35 kilometres, but Variable and unpredictable weather conditions mean that the route can be modified at any time.
The terrain through which you advance is not paved, you walk all the way on virgin land and a completely natural environment surrounded by the Pacific. Three valleys are visited along the route: Hanakapiai, a place where many locals and tourists come to simply spend the day, Hanakoa and Kalalau Valley.
To complete the tour, it is essential to acquire the Napali Coast State Wildness Park or Kalalau Permit, with which you can access the camping areas if you want to spend the night halfway.
What do you think of this conception of hiking? Has it caught your attention? If it has caused you curiosity and you consider that you are ready to carry out any of these adventures, we encourage you to do so, and
