Top 20 Most Dangerous Hiking Trails

Located on the China-Pakistan border, K2 is considered one of the most challenging and deadly mountains to climb in the world. At over 28,000 feet (8,500 meters) tall, K2 is often referred to as the "Savage Mountain" due to its exposed and precarious nature. Climbers have reported an average success rate of just 24% when attempting to summit K2, with a fatality rate of nearly 20%. K2 was first climbed in 1954 by an Italian expedition led by Ardito Desio, but the mountain's remote location has made it difficult for future expeditions. The harsh weather conditions and steep terrain make K2 a formidable challenge even for experienced climbers. Compared to nearby Mount Everest, K2 is considered easier to climb due to its steeper profile.

Located in the Himalayas of Nepal, Annapurna is the tenth-highest mountain in the world at over 26,000 feet (8,000 meters) tall. The mountain's extreme weather conditions and steep terrain make it a formidable challenge even for experienced climbers. The 1952 Nepalese expedition to climb Annapurna resulted in the loss of all 12 members, with only one survivor. Climbers have reported an average success rate of just 14% when attempting to summit Annapurna. The mountain was named after the Hindu goddess of fertility and childbirth, who is often depicted as carrying her child on her shoulder. The remote location of Annapurna makes it difficult for future expeditions.

Located in Alaska, USA, Mount Denali is the highest mountain in North America at over 20,300 feet (6,190 meters) tall. Climbers have reported an average success rate of just 39% when attempting to summit Mount Denali due to its extreme weather conditions and steep terrain. The first recorded ascent of Mount Denali was made in 1913 by Hudson Stuck and his team. The mountain's remote location and harsh weather conditions make it a challenging climb for even the most experienced climbers. The mountain was named after Mount Everest, which was also known as "Denali" to the indigenous Athabascan people. Climbers often joke that climbing Mount Denali is like climbing a staircase of ice and rock.

Located in Nepal, Manaslu is the eighth-highest mountain in the world at over 26,000 feet (8,000 meters) tall. The mountain's extreme weather conditions and steep terrain make it a formidable challenge even for experienced climbers. Climbers have reported an average success rate of just 22% when attempting to summit Manaslu. The mountain was first climbed in 1956 by Toshio Imanishi, a Japanese mountaineer. The remote location of Manaslu makes it difficult for future expeditions. The name "Manaslu" means "Mountain of the Spirit" in Nepali.

Located in Pakistan, Nanga Parbat is the ninth-highest mountain in the world at over 26,000 feet (8,000 meters) tall. Climbers have reported an average success rate of just 11% when attempting to summit Nanga Parbat due to its extreme weather conditions and steep terrain. The first recorded ascent of Nanga Parbat was made in 1953 by Hermann Buhl, an Austrian mountaineer. The mountain's remote location and harsh weather conditions make it a challenging climb for even the most experienced climbers. The name "Nanga Parbat" means "Naked Mountain" in Urdu.

Located on the border of Pakistan and China, the Ankaralmassif is a mountain range that includes some of the highest peaks in the world. Climbers have reported an average success rate of just 21% when attempting to summit the highest peak in the Ankaralmassif, Mount K2's neighbor Gasherbrum I. The Karakoram Range was formed over 50 million years ago as a result of tectonic plate collisions. The remote location and harsh weather conditions make it difficult for future expeditions. Climbers often joke that climbing the Ankaralmassif is like climbing a series of connected puzzles.

Located in Nepal/China, Mount Everest is the highest mountain in the world at over 29,000 feet (8,800 meters) tall. Climbers have reported an average success rate of just 33% when attempting to summit Mount Everest due to its extreme weather conditions and steep terrain. The first recorded ascent of Mount Everest was made in 1953 by Tenzing Norgay and Sir Edmund Hillary. The mountain's remote location and harsh weather conditions make it a challenging climb for even the most experienced climbers. Climbers often joke that climbing Mount Everest is like running a marathon while being attacked by a swarm of bees.

Located in Nepal/China, Makalu is the fifth-highest mountain in the world at over 27,000 feet (8,300 meters) tall. The mountain's extreme weather conditions and steep terrain make it a formidable challenge even for experienced climbers. Climbers have reported an average success rate of just 18% when attempting to summit Makalu. The first recorded ascent of Makalu was made in 1955 by Lionel Terray and Jean Couzy, two French mountaineers. The remote location of Makalu makes it difficult for future expeditions. The name "Makalu" means "Great Mountain" in Nepali.

Located on the border of Nepal and Tibet, China, Cho Oyu is the sixth-highest mountain in the world at over 26,000 feet (8,000 meters) tall. Climbers have reported an average success rate of just 36% when attempting to summit Cho Oyu due to its extreme weather conditions and steep terrain. The first recorded ascent of Cho Oyu was made in 1954 by Joseph Jocher, a German mountaineer. The remote location of Cho Oyu makes it difficult for future expeditions. Climbers often joke that climbing Cho Oyu is like running up a staircase while carrying a heavy backpack.

Located in Nepal, Dhaulagiri is the seventh-highest mountain in the world at over 27,000 feet (8,300 meters) tall. The mountain's extreme weather conditions and steep terrain make it a formidable challenge even for experienced climbers. Climbers have reported an average success rate of just 25% when attempting to summit Dhaulagiri. The first recorded ascent of Dhaulagiri was made in 1960 by Sherpa mountaineers Nawang Gombu and Pasang Sherpa, two Nepali nationals. The remote location of Dhaulagiri makes it difficult for future expeditions. Climbers often joke that climbing Dhaulagiri is like trying to solve a puzzle blindfolded.

Located on the border of Pakistan and China, Gasherbrum I is the eleventh-highest mountain in the world at over 26,000 feet (8,000 meters) tall. Climbers have reported an average success rate of just 15% when attempting to summit Gasherbrum I due to its extreme weather conditions and steep terrain. The first recorded ascent of Gasherbrum I was made in 1958 by Ardito Desio and his team, including Swiss mountaineer Fritz Luchsinger. The remote location of Gasherbrum I makes it difficult for future expeditions. Climbers often joke that climbing Gasherbrum I is like running up a giant ladder.

Located in Tibet, China, Shishapangma is the thirteenth-highest mountain in the world at over 25,000 feet (7,600 meters) tall. The mountain's extreme weather conditions and steep terrain make it a formidable challenge even for experienced climbers. Climbers have reported an average success rate of just 30% when attempting to summit Shishapangma. The first recorded ascent of Shishapangma was made in 1964 by Japanese mountaineers Toshiro Yasutaka and Kiyoto Kojima, two Japanese nationals. The remote location of Shishapangma makes it difficult for future expeditions. Climbers often joke that climbing Shishapangma is like trying to find a needle in a haystack.

Located on the border of Pakistan and China, Broad Peak is the twelfth-highest mountain in the world at over 26,000 feet (8,000 meters) tall. Climbers have reported an average success rate of just 22% when attempting to summit Broad Peak due to its extreme weather conditions and steep terrain. The first recorded ascent of Broad Peak was made in 1986 by British-American mountaineer Ed Viesturs and his team, including Joe Tasker, a member of the first successful ascent team on Mount Everest. The remote location of Broad Peak makes it difficult for future expeditions. Climbers often joke that climbing Broad Peak is like navigating through an obstacle course.

Located in Nepal/China, Lhotse is the fourth-highest mountain in the world at over 27,000 feet (8,300 meters) tall. The mountain's extreme weather conditions and steep terrain make it a formidable challenge even for experienced climbers. Climbers have reported an average success rate of just 28% when attempting to summit Lhotse. The first recorded ascent of Lhotse was made in 1956 by Swiss mountaineer Ernest Reiss and his team, including German climber Fritz Luchsinger. The remote location of Lhotse makes it difficult for future expeditions. Climbers often joke that climbing Lhotse is like running up a giant staircase while being chased by a pack of wild dogs.

Located in Nepal, Manaslu is the eighth-highest mountain in the world at over 26,000 feet (8,000 meters) tall. The mountain's extreme weather conditions and steep terrain make it a formidable challenge even for experienced climbers. Climbers have reported an average success rate of just 24% when attempting to summit Manaslu. The first recorded ascent of Manaslu was made in 1956 by American mountaineer Norman Dyhrenfordt and his team, including Swiss climber Peter Schoeller. The remote location of Manaslu makes it difficult for future expeditions. Climbers often joke that climbing Manaslu is like navigating through a maze while being attacked by a swarm of bees.