The Path of Death is a kind of attraction for thrill-seekers, which is located on Mount Huashan (Huàshān) almost in the very center of China, namely in the province of Shaanxi. The famous trail is located on sheer cliff at a height of several hundred meters and consists of 3-4 boards fastened together and laid along the mountain. The route involves an approximately 30-meter trail, where at the end there is a special platform with views of the surroundings, and the way back.

Peak tourist season on Mount Huashan falls from May to October. However, in winter, Mount Huashan is also open to the public, but it is not recommended to conquer its peaks.

Accidents on the Death Trail at Mount Huashan

Only the most courageous can take such a step as the passage of one of the most dangerous and terrible routes in the world. The path of death is so narrow that any wrong step can lead to an accident.

But, fortunately, official statistics do not confirm the tragedies. However, locals sure that one way or another people are dying here.

Trail Features

The Death Trail, despite its name and exciting experience, every year attracts an increasing number of tourists and the Chinese themselves. That is why you have to wait in line here, because the trail has the same beginning and end. At the end of the trail, an incredible view from the top of Mount Huashan awaits all those who have reached it, but the most important thing is those emotions that will last a lifetime.

Passing the Path of Death is not recommended for the faint of heart, because on the one hand there is a colossal rock, on the other hand - a deep abyss. But of course, you will not have to go through the trail without equipment. The most courageous who dare to go through it are put on a belt with a small cable. As you move to the peak of the mountain, you need to hold on tightly to the chains that are attached to the rock itself along the path.

History of appearance

The Death Trail didn't just appear out of the blue, nor was it made specifically to attract tourists. The original wooden path through Mount Huashan was built by monks about 700 years ago. At that time, the trail consisted only of boards, and chains, handrails and equipment were made relatively recently.

Mount Huashan in China

Mount Huashan, which means "Flower Mountain" in Chinese, consists of five main peaks, namely North, East, South, West and Central. The highest is south peak, which has 2154 meters in height.

Mount Huashan was only recently a place for hermits, but in recent years this place has become so popular among tourists that everything is done here to attract them. But as for the Path of Death, it attracts extreme lovers only with its phenomenal atmosphere. The most reckless tourists decide to walk along the path from the Northern peak to the Southern one.

The Death Path is not the only route to overcome. There are many unusual trails laid here, among which there are climbs to cable car, and hiking, all of which are safe, but require excellent physical fitness and attentiveness from travelers. If you wish, you can conquer each of the 5 peaks, on some you can even rent a hotel room, guest houses or just rent a room.

How to get there

To get to the Path of Death, you need to go a long way: first get to the mountain, then get to the nearest peak, and only then to the path itself.

You can get to Huashan Mountain in the following way:

• In the nearby city of Xi'an, take the subway (red line No. 2) and get to Xian North RailWay Station.
• Next, you need to climb up from the subway and go to the station to the right of the exit, from where trains periodically run to the HuaShanBei station, that is, HuaShan North. Travel time by train will be no more than 40 minutes.
• Then from the station square you need to go to the nearest bus stop, from where bus number 1 runs to the very foot of the mountain.
• Already there you can take a bus that goes to the funiculars, having previously bought a ticket in national park where Mount Huashan is located.

You can climb the mountain itself in two ways: by cable car through the East Gate of the park or directly to the North Peak of the mountain, from where routes to other peaks are laid.

The road to the trail has a long beginning. First you need to go a long staircase on the northern peak, which is called the "Heavenly Stairs". It seems that it leads to the sky, since it is impossible to see where its steps end. At the end of the stairs there are houses and there is a village where there are even hotels. And the road to the Path of Death continues. Next, you need to go along the south side of the mountain, where the famous Death Path is located.

Panorama of the Path of Death and its environs:

Video: Death Path, Mount Huashan

It is in the central part of this country that the mountains sacred to Taoism are located. Excursion to Mount Huashan death path will give you an unprecedented experience, because it is the most dangerous hiking path in the world.

Mount Huashan

This mountain consists of 5 peaks that form the silhouette of a flower, from which this place got its name. Huashan is located in the Shaanxi region and is one of the significant mountains for Taoists.

This mountain attracts not only pilgrims and wanderers of Taoism from all over the world, but also attracts many tourists, because it is not just beautiful place. Here, in addition to beautiful landscapes, many people note beautiful temples, gates and bridges, ancient monasteries and mysterious caves. All this can be seen by going on a tour of these sacred Taoist places.

You can explore these places both on a walking tour, for which several routes are provided, or take the funicular, which is easier and safer. But the funicular operates only up to the North Peak, therefore, in order to see all 5 peaks, you will have to do it only on foot.

Adherents of the culture of Taoism go upstairs exclusively on foot. Since the ascent is not an easy task, they stay overnight at the top to renew their strength and continue the pilgrimage.

death trail

It is for its trails that Huashan Mountain is famous for many tourists. The ascent to this mountain is extremely dangerous and very extreme, so it is not suitable for everyone. The easiest climb is to the north summit, which is the lowest of the five.

On the way up there are not only paths, but also bridges with steep ladders. Remarkably, there are not only hanging stairs, but also steps carved into the rock. Most often, the climbs are steep, so you need to prepare for physical exertion. The shortest route will take at least 5 hours.

You need to be prepared for the fact that there are paths that are quite dangerous. To pass them, individual insurance is attached to everyone, because one wrong step can cost a life.

But this journey and feelings are worth it, no one can forget such a journey. You simply cannot find such a place as here in China, it is worth the attention of all tourists. Mount Huashan The trail of death awaits all extreme sportsmen, will amaze with incredible landscapes and historical monuments.

Welcome dear friends!

Today we will go to one of the 5 great mountains of the Celestial Empire and one of the most dangerous mountains in the world for tourists - Mount Huashan in Shaanxi Province (not to be confused with the mountain, Anhui Province).

The mountain has a bad reputation. According to unofficial statistics, Huashan takes up to 100 human lives every year. It is here that the world-famous Death Path is located, which attracts extreme lovers from all over the world.

In fairness, we note that Mount Huashan is not tea. The climate here is cooler and not humid enough to grow tea. Our goal is the Death Path.

It is for the sake of the "Path of Death" that we drive 120 km from ancient capital China - Xi'an, spending about 2 hours by train.

10 minutes by local bus, and here we are at the foot of Mount Huashan. Entrance to the mountain will cost you 180 yuan (30 dollars), and if you are a student, 2 times cheaper. Go!

At first, the ascent is quite comfortable, it is easy to go.

But gradually the steepness of the steps increases.

In some places we are forced to stand on four limbs.

The hike to the highest southern peak takes about 6 hours. Incredibly amazing views!

On the southern peak we find our "Death Path". Wow, it's creepy at first! But then the fear disappears, not for everyone, but for someone it decreases ...

The path of death is a few boards roughly nailed to each other at a height of 2 km.

But when the board ends, we have no choice but to go along the recesses in the rock, which Taoist monks made many centuries ago for their own needs.

You don’t realize anything until you realize that the movement along the path goes in two directions, and you have to manage to bypass the Chinese coming towards you.

The goal has been reached, the path has been passed, and we got an unreal charge of positive and adrenaline!

And also Huashan sacred mountain, it is full of Taoist temples and pagodas, at the foot of the mountain there is a huge park.

If you are in Xi'an, be sure to get off at Huashan!

More photos below. The photos are in chronological order.

We attach a 10-minute video from Mount Huashan:

Would you like to have tea on the 2160 meters high mountain? How about getting an adrenaline rush along with a constant fear of death? If you agree to this, then you should visit the most dangerous hiking trail in the world on Mount Huashan in China, climbing which you will go straight to the tea house.

Ever since the 2nd century BC, when a Taoist temple was built at the foot, Mount Huashan has been the most important place for Taoists. Since that time, monks and pilgrims have lived on and around the mountain. In order to get to one of the five peaks (on one of which the tea house is located), a whole network of very dangerous paths was laid here.

Together, these peaks form lotus petals. In connection with the recent influx of tourists, the trails have been strengthened. Even so, it remains the most dangerous hiking trail in the world and has a bad reputation. The "Path of Death" is made of narrow boards that hang over a bottomless abyss, without any railings or fences. Some parts of the trail are terrifying, so it's best to look where you're going... and it's best not to look down. According to uncertain data, up to 100 people fall from these trails every year.

In some places, the locals also carved steps, making a staircase with a railing. In other places, iron chains are the only security measure (before, the locals just walked on planks). Some daredevils, having taken the first step, turn to stone with fear, unable to disengage their fingers and move, which is not at all surprising.

Despite the fact that the trail is "famous" for its bad reputation, many adventurers come here to test themselves.

January 16, 2013, 22:58

Spain. El Caminito Del Rey Balancing on the verge between life and death, thrill-seekers from all over the world walk along a narrow, crumbling path, which is laid at a height of more than a hundred meters above the ground, trying not to think that any careless movement can be fatal for them.
The El Caminito Del Rey trail was built in 1905 to facilitate the movement of workers between the two hydroelectric plants.
It is also known as the King's Path. To walk on it, you must be at least 12 years old and have good height tolerance. China. Huashan mountain trail The Qinling mountain range divides the Chinese central province of Shaanxi into two parts. Huashan Mountain is located here, to the top of which Hua Shan Yu walking trail was laid back in the 4th century. During the Tang Dynasty, this trail was improved, but even today it remains extreme. Despite the safety measures (stone steps built, the width of the path increased and railings added), fatal accidents still occur here.


But the second path leading to Mount Haushan is the most dangerous, it is literally the road over the abyss. She is also known as New Yueyang Trails or "Death Trail" Daredevils come here, who want to prove their own fearlessness to themselves and the world, and people who are weak in spirit, who dream of getting rid of their inner uncertainty. The "Path of Death" consists of boards nailed to a sheer cliff hundreds of meters high, and chains that you can hold on to. The creation of these trails is a very difficult and dangerous business. A whole army of "spider-men" from Hunan province is building hundreds of meters of mountain paths at a great height, using only seat belts for this. Each such path is only a meter wide and is not even equipped with a railing. According to Mr. Zhang Bin, leader of the trail builders team, the workers who build the trail among the steep cliffs have to be very brave and, at least, extremely mentally strong. China. Mountain path to school
The village of Gulukang is located in Western China. Probably the most fearless children live here, because every day they have to go to school along a narrow path carved into the rock, which is located at an altitude of 1500 meters. There is simply no other road from the village. France. Roche Veyrand
There are about 120 via ferrata in France that range from easy to very difficult routes. (Via ferrata or "iron path" is a rocky area equipped with wooden or metal structures to make it easier to overcome). Roche Veyrand is one of the most difficult and dangerous mountain trails in France. The trail is located in the southeastern part of the country, in the Rhone-Alpes region, in Saint-Pierre d'Entremont.
Switzerland. Ebenalp trail In Switzerland, there are prehistoric Ebenalp caves, which are very often visited by tourists. So that travelers could get to this natural attraction, the Ebenalp trail was built, which starts at the mountain station of the same name. The path along the trail takes only 20 minutes, but the impressions from the passage of this route will remain with tourists for a lifetime. Unfortunately, there was only one photo of this trail. Ireland. Cliffs of Moher This trail is for those cyclists who like to tickle their nerves. The path along the Cliffs of Moher is considered the most dangerous cycling trail on our planet. It rises 215 meters above Atlantic Ocean and the trail is less than one meter wide in places.
It's scary even just to walk this path over the abyss, not to mention cycling. But if dangerous hiking trails exist mainly for thrill-seekers and adrenaline addicts, then driving along no less dangerous highways is a harsh daily necessity for residents of those places that will be discussed below. There are countless such roads around the world. Below are three of the most prominent examples.
Some roads are more forgiving of minor miscalculations in driving, some less, but Old Yungas Roads forgives nothing. Every year, the number of deaths among those who dare to ride the forty-mile road of the Old Yungas exceeds one hundred. Ironically, this route has become a place of tourist pilgrimage among those foreigners who wish to add the item "traveled the most dangerous road in the world" to their list of achievements. One lane, steep slopes, and lack of guardrails only add to the danger. In addition, fog and rain can interfere with visibility and cover the road surface with mud, as well as loosen the rock above. Guoliang Tunnel in the Taihang Mountains (China).
The name of the tunnel is translated from Chinese as "The road that does not tolerate mistakes." First, a tunnel was created by villagers from the remote area of ​​the Taihang Mountains to get to the outside world. Now it is a 3.1 m wide road, which is quite scary for drivers. The tunnel has 30 windows to see what's what.

Halsema Highway, Philippines
Gorgeous, but very dangerous road on the island of Luzon. In addition to unpaved parts of the roads, landslides and large stones, heavy fog is possible.