Sometimes the only way to get to where we are going, or to enjoy the most spectacular view, is to climb a staircase. Some of the trails are steep, precarious and downright scary but the view is almost always worth it.
Sometimes the only way
to get where we are going, or to enjoy the most spectacular view, we have to
climb a staircase or two. Some of the trails are steep, precarious and
downright scary but the destination is almost always worth it. Watch your step
as we explore the scariest stairways we could find around the world
Haiku Stairs, Oahu, Hawaii These
spectacular staircases offer some of the world's most breathtaking views—and
heart-stopping thrills as they are not for the faint of heart. The stairs are
actually part of a "forbidden" trail and not legally open to the
public but this doesn’t stop intrepid hikers.
Pailon del Diablo Waterfall, Ecuador Translated
to English, the name means the “Devil’s Cauldron” so it is no wonder that these
steep steps, slick with water from the adjacent waterfall make this list. The
stairs themselves are made of smooth oversize pebbles with very little traction
so visitors need to hold on tight.
Half Dome, Cable Route, California As one
of the most iconic peaks in the Yosemite Valley, Half Dome begs to be
conquered, but to make it to the top, you have to ascend a cable ladder for
more than 400 vertical feet. Only 300 people per day are allowed (via permit)
to climb so you will want to make it count.
Mount Huashan Heavenly Stairs, China With an
unknown number of stairs on this ascent (presumably because everyone has always
lost count), this is no small feat. After you manage the stairs, you then face
a horizontal stretch along three-plank-wide walkway with only a chain to hold
onto, flush against the wall of flat rock.
Inca Stairs, Peru It may
be the site one of the most popular hikes in the world but that doesn’t make
the granite rocks of the Inca Stairs any less scary. Located at Machu Picchu,
the 200 metres of steep steps climb to the rarely visited Moon Temple. The park
limits the climb to the first 400 visitors each morning and has added some
metallic chains in the worst parts, so hold on because on one side is a sheer,
damp wall and on the other, a straight drop into the Urubamba river
Batu Caves,
Malaysia Just outside of Kuala Lumpur, these 272 steps
lead up to Temple Cave, a Hindu holy site. Aside from the challenge of the
steps themselves, you will have to battle greedy macaque monkeys who will
harass you for food if you are carrying any (better not to feed them)
San Juan de Gaztelugatxe,
Spain There are some spectacular views atop this rocky island but
to get there, you must cross a narrow stone bridge and climb 231 stone steps.
At the end of your trek, you will find a Romanesque chapel that is said to have
been used as a fortress by the Templars in the 14th century.
Angkor Wat, Cambodia The
uppermost temples at Angkor Wat are almost 70 per cent inclined and some of
them have ropes provided to help you haul yourself to the top. It is said that
the stairs were made so steep to remind people that heaven is hard to reach.
Taihang Mountains, China All
potential climbers of the 100m winding staircase have to sign a form stating
that they have no heart or lung problems and are under 60 years of age – a
telltale sign that these stairs are definitely on the scary side.
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