Challenging yourself to overcome obstacles you thought were unsurmountable and pushing your body and mind to seemingly impossible limits, treks and hikes are the best ways to test your self-determinacy and control. As much of a test of mental endurance as that of physical strength, hikes are often undertaken by people looking to push boundaries. As you finally savour the sweet success of reaching your destination after an adventurous and extremely difficult trek, you realise why it was worth all the efforts you took. For those looking to test yourselves this year, embark upon these 5 impossible hikes recommended by TripHobo

1. Huayna Picchu, Peru

Rightly known as “Hike of Death,” the Huayna Picchu is a dangerous trail that takes you up the old and crumbly Inca staircase that is carved out of granite. Ascending about 1,000 feet in less than a mile, this rotting trail full of slippery stones and unexpected obstacles is nerve-wracking, to say the least! If this journey alone wasn’t enough to test your willpower and if you feel like pushing yourselves further, you can even continue all the way down into the caves below which present challenges like mist, tropical showers, and exposed corners to the trekkers.

2. Mount Hua Shan, China

Photo credits: chensiyuan

A trek to the temples on the five spires of Mount Hua Shan is the real test of your grit and determination. Of the numerous trails on this mountain, the plank trail to the South Mountain is often dubbed as the deadliest one. Full of wooden platforms bolted onto the mountainside, trekkers need to take the help of the iron chains which run parallel to the boards while hovering thousands of feet above the ground. If you thought the vertical rebar staircase was the worst part about this climb, then wait till you reach the portion where the wooden planks disappear completely, and you have nothing but mountain divots and crannies for support.

3. Snowman Trek, Bhutan

Taking almost a month to complete even for the fittest trekkers, the Snowman Trek keeps you hiking on an altitude of over 13,000 feet the whole time. Running through a tricky and challenging terrain that takes you through the snow-capped Himalayas, dense forests, and slippery streams, this hike is not for the faint-hearted souls.

4. The Maze, Utah

Perhaps the most dangerous hikes in the United States, The Maze lies in the most remote section of Canyonlands National Park in Utah. The Maze is essentially a red rock labyrinth which is full of confusing dead-ends. The most hazardous part is the constant threat of flash floods and rockfalls. The extremely narrow and treacherous ravines, gaps, and interconnecting canyons are highly deceiving and navigating them is a true test of your sense of direction, composedness and grit.

5. Drakensberg Traverse, South Africa

Photo credits: Rick McCharles

A trek of the Drakensberg Traverse is a daunting prospect form the beginning itself, when two rickety chain ladders take trekkers to the ridge from where the route turns extremely nasty and risky. Full of animal footprints and rocky outcroppings, this trek takes you through some of the most exposed and stunning alpine terrain in the world.

So, excited yet? Pack your trekking gear and off you go today!