The most dangerous hiking trails and roads in the world. Death trail on Mount Huashan in Xi'an, China The most dangerous route in China

As delicious as Chinese tea is, it is not usually associated with adrenaline rushes and fear of death. However, Mount Huashan in China managed to combine both tea and adrenaline, because it is here that the most terrible and dangerous hiking trail in the world is located, along which tourists go straight to a tea house at an altitude of 2160 meters.

Mount Huashan has been one of the most important places for Taoists since the second century BC - then a Taoist temple was built at its foot. Since then, pilgrims and monks have lived on and around the mountain. A whole network of dangerous paths allows them to reach five peaks, each of which has a religious building, such as a tea house. Together these five peaks form the petals of the lotus. The trails have been strengthened due to the recent influx of tourists, but they are still very dangerous and have a bad reputation. They say up to 100 people a year fall from these trails.

Mount Huashan is one of the five sacred mountains of Taoism.

Some parts of the trail are truly terrifying.

The area has been considered sacred since the second century BC.

Monks and pilgrims built these “steps” to the top of the mountain.

The trails were strengthened as the route grew in popularity among tourists.

The most high peak the mountain reaches 2160 m.

The main thing is to look where you are going... And it’s better not to look down.

In some places local residents they also cut steps right into the mountain wall.

But in other places, the only security measure is iron chains.

This trail has a bad reputation, but that hasn't stopped many adventurers from trying this dangerous road for themselves.

Of course, if the adrenaline still takes over you completely, you can always take a break and relax in the chess pavilion.

China is known for many mysterious and mysterious places. Each has its own characteristics and secrets. Mount Huashan in China is famous for its Death Trail.

The most dangerous route in China

It is no coincidence that the trail received its ominous name. Carved into the rock, it is a narrow strip covered with boards. On one side there is a sheer cliff, on the other there is a deep abyss. One wrong move and the traveler will fall into the abyss. It is difficult to imagine what feelings travelers once experienced when using this dangerous path.


What was once a cruel ordeal has now become:
  • attraction;
  • sight;
  • popular tourist destination.

The desire to experience adrenaline, feel danger, smell fear attracts many tourists to Mount Huashan. Despite the extreme mountain road, the risk is minimized. There is a strong chain stretched along the route, which travelers hold on to. A strong cable is built into the rock for attaching safety belts.

Despite the precautions, tourists are guaranteed an unforgettable experience. The tension of nerves and strength combined with stunning views create sensations that will not soon be forgotten.

Story

Mount Huashan in China is fraught with many mysteries. At the end of the 20th century they discovered large caves. They were not mentioned in ancient chronicles, books and manuscripts. Historical chronicles also keep secrets.

The artificial origin of the Huashan caves is not in doubt. Arches, stone bridges, pools, columns, vaults testify to the titanic efforts of ancient stonemasons. It is surprising that the slope of the cave arches coincides with the direction of the outer slopes of the mountain. This circumstance speaks of the high skill and deep knowledge of mountain builders.


For what purpose and by whose order the caves were cut out of the rock is unknown. It is only known that in ancient times, some Chinese rulers climbed Mount Huashan, paying tribute to higher powers.

Overcoming a dangerous climb goes back to ancient times. Yellow Mountain is sacred place for the Chinese and a cult item of Taoist ritual traditions. It consists of five peaks, representing the four cardinal directions and the center. Mount Huashan rises in the west and is a guard peak blocking the path of the dark forces of the night.

The mysteries of the mountain include the fact that it is located at 30 degrees north latitude. On the same parallel are:

  • Bermuda anomalous zone;
  • Egyptian pyramids;
  • Tibetan Mount Kailash.

The location of the mountain testifies to the undisclosed secrets carefully kept by the silent rocks.

Monastery on the mountain

Mount Huashan in China is not only known for being the most dangerous trail in the world. Since ancient times, Taoist temples and monasteries have been located on the mountain. Despite the dangerous road, pilgrims from all over China flocked here.

A monastery of a jade spring settled at the foot. They drew strength from endless prayers and vigils. By giving honor to the gods, they achieved the highest enlightenment and the light of truth.

But main goal pilgrims there was not a monastery at the foot, but a temple at the top. To reach it meant to overcome oneself. Not everyone passed the test of fear and fatigue. Some abandoned their intended goal, many disappeared without a trace. The mountain is merciless towards the weak, but lenient towards the strong. The reward for courage and perseverance was prayer on the top of the sacred Mount Huashan.

Deaths

Tourists from all over the world strive to walk the Huashan Death Path. The “Mountain Huashan” brand is known even in remote corners of the planet. Travelers are drawn:

  • feel danger;
  • perceive risk;
  • try your luck;
  • tickle your nerves.

The shaky line separating life and non-existence attracts everything large quantity travelers.

Looking at the numerous photos of the trail, you understand how dangerous this path is. A deep abyss can swallow an unwary traveler at any moment. Natural whim or frivolity will lead to fatal consequences. Studying photos on the Internet, the indiscretion of individual tourists is striking. Taking liberties and underestimating danger can cost a daredevil dearly.

How many people died

There are no official statistics on accidents on the trail. They talk about hundreds of victims a year. It’s hard to believe that so many people died. The authorities have taken necessary measures aimed at route safety. Safety belts and massive chains prevent you from falling down.

Rumors of deaths on the Huashan Trail most likely stem from a desire to increase tourist traffic. Nothing promotes popularity more than ominous rumors and an aura of danger. But the possibility of getting hurt or experiencing psychological trauma is real.

Unlike modern times, in ancient times climbing Huashan was fraught with great risk. One can only guess how many victims were made to the mountain. According to legend, there were as many accidents as there were trees in the foothills.

How to get to the top

There are two options to climb the mountain. The first is the most modern and popular. At the foot of the western slope begins cable car, which will take the tourist to the top. The cost of travel is 140 yuan. A bus to Mount Huashan and a visit to the protected area are paid separately.


The second path involves two routes: by cable car or on foot. Walking tour provides:
  • journey along stone steps;
  • conquering the slopes;
  • overcoming natural barriers.

True connoisseurs of nature will appreciate the route. Mountain landscapes and the changing landscape will bring pleasure even for the sophisticated traveler. Combined with the mystery and mysteries of Mount Huashan, the path in the mountains will not leave indifferent anyone who dares to climb. This trip takes 8-10 hours, so it’s worth calculating the time in advance.

The path along the path of death itself begins with a descent. Metal pins embedded in the rock lead to the fatal path. After overcoming the first obstacles, an abyss appears, limited steep cliff. A plank path, nicknamed the “path of death,” stretches along the vertical surface. Path along dangerous road takes 10-15 minutes. As compensation for the hardships and hardships, travelers are invited to take a photo in a small niche carved into the rock. The service is paid, but optional.

Map

Mount Huashan is part of the Qinling mountain range, passing through the territory of Shaanxi Province. There is a city nearby local significance Huayin. You can get to the city by railway or by bus. The choice of route depends on the preferences of the traveler and the type of excursion.

Uninformed people confuse Mount Huashan with mountain range Huangshan in Anhui Province. The Huangshan chain is located in eastern China and is famous steep cliffs and mountain pine trees. The granite spurs are distinguished by their picturesque shapes and bizarre outlines. The Huangshan complex is under the auspices of UNESCO and has received the status of a national park since the 90s.

Conclusion

The Death Trail is one of the most extreme hiking routes in the world. The monasteries and temples of Mount Huashan convey the originality and peculiarity of Chinese culture. The mysteries and secrets of numerous caves add sacred mountain popularity.

If you can't live without thrills and just dream of a new dose of adrenaline, then the extreme “attraction” on the Chinese Mount Huashan is for you. Both daredevils come here who want to prove to themselves and the world their own fearlessness, as well as weak-spirited people who dream of getting rid of their inner insecurities. Huashan Mountain is an effective pill for fears and an effective vitamin of self-affirmation.

Flower Mountain, which is how the word Huashan is translated into Russian, is a sacred Chinese mountain that unites five petal-shaped peaks and is located near the city of Xi'an in Shaanxi Province. There are many fascinating tourist routes here, including cable car rides and hiking. Curious travelers can, if desired, reach each of the five peaks of Huashan - South, North, West, East and Central.

The most convenient way is to use the funicular and climb from the foot North Mountain to its top. The road to the Western Peak is also safe. The hike to the North Peak, starting from the eastern entrance, with all the tortuosity and steepness of the ascent, although it requires a fair amount of physical training, is also not associated with much risk, since it is laid along fairly wide stone steps.

But there is also one a tourist route, which can make the most impressionable tourists faint, is the transition from the North Peak of Huashan to the South Peak. Some travelers, having taken the first step, literally turn to stone with horror, unable to unclasp their cramped fingers and move from their place. And this is not surprising.

It’s not for nothing that this road, laid along steep vertical cliffs, is called the path of death - falling off the narrow boards into a bottomless abyss would mean certain death, but the flow of tourists trying to make the risky climb is not thinning. Travelers step on boards nailed over the abyss and move to the top, hugging the rock or holding on to chains firmly soldered to the stone wall.

No railings or fences - just you, a stray wind, and hundreds of meters under your feet. Of course, there is some kind of insurance - all daredevils are wearing a belt with a cable and a carabiner on it so that they can cling to the safety rope stretched along the entire route.

The reward for brave tourists will be not only the marvelous panorama opening from the South Peak - the highest of all five “petals” of the Huashan flower, but also a whole bouquet of stormy emotions experienced by travelers who have overcome the ascent. The news that climbing the most dangerous path is not a one-way route, but a round trip, sounds like a thunderbolt to many tourists. clear skies, but the descent, as a rule, is easier.

Couples in love who believe in lucky omens leave symbols of unquenchable feelings on the top of the conquered mountain - shiny locks and red ribbons, the abundance of which dazzles the eyes. Each of those who have conquered the dangerous path happily shares the extraordinary sensations from the climb - at first it is panic fear, and then the delightful euphoria of not giving up, succeeding, overcoming, winning.

For those who are bored with monotonous tourist programs with visits to various monotonous temples and an endless number of museums, there is an excellent alternative for real extreme sports enthusiasts: this is the death trail on Mount Huashan in the city of Xi'an, Shaanxi Province.

This trail is located at an altitude of about 2000 meters on the sacred Mount Huashan, which has five petal-shaped peaks, the highest peak is the South Peak, its height is 2154 meters from sea level, the lowest North Peak is 1614.9 meters high.

How to get to the top

There are two ways to get to the mountain, there are two entrances, one entrance from the West, which is equipped with a cable car and you can only go to the top along it (the cost of a one-way lift costs 140 yuan, which is about $20), the cost of a bus that will take you to it is $3.

Second entrance from the North, there is also a cable car here, but it costs a little less than 120 yuan in both directions. But there is also walking route with steps carved into the rock and rope bridges. But the path will not be easy and will take you about 6-8 hours to climb.

What is the path of death

At the top there is simply stunning views of the mountains and nature of China.

The trail on Mount Huashan is very popular tourist place both among visitors from other countries and among the Chinese themselves. Therefore, very often there is a decent queue for it, so get ready to stand in it for at least 20-30 minutes. (maybe, of course, you will be lucky and you will pass it, but we were not lucky).

Although the death trail looks scary from the photographs, it is practically safe, since before you start you are given special safety equipment (belts and a cable with a carabiner, the total cost is about 30 yuan - that’s about 4 bucks).

After you receive the ammunition and put your things in the storage room (so as not to accidentally drop them while walking along the trail to the bottom).

You'll have to wait a little longer, since the path has only one end and you can only return from there the same way you came, trying to miss the people coming back to meet you.

Only after this can you hit the road. The trail begins with a descent along metal piles driven into stone.

At the bottom you will be met by a Chinese man who will help you fasten the carabiner from one cable to another.

Somewhere in the middle of the path, there is a booth in a hole in the rock where you can take first-class photographs, but if you have a phone with you, you will not need its services; the main thing is not to drop your gadget down. The Chinese say that this happens very often, maybe they do it to sell their photos, but it’s better to be safe.

The route lasts only 15-20 minutes. Climbing to the top you can see a small sacred altar and beautiful landscape opening from Mount Huashan.

Be sure to visit the death trail, get new emotions and enjoy the views of the surrounding nature.

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