As far as adrenaline-pumping activities go, “World’s Steepest Staircase” might scream extreme fear and excitement. Whether spiraling up a hill, crumbling upstairs, or panting in a narrow passage, a perilous staircase can have a dramatic effect on the memory, as on where it ends up.
While some travelers may find this intimidating, while others may take the challenge in stride, something this adventurous is definitely doable. If you decide to muster the courage, these are the ten steepest stairs in the world that a traveler can actually climb.
10 Huashan
Huashan is one of the five famous mountains in China, and it is full of dangers everywhere. Located in Huayin City, Shaanxi Province, it is popular among climbers for its breathtaking sunrises, sunsets and unparalleled views.
The mountain consists of five peaks, namely North Peak, South Peak, East Peak, West Peak and Middle East Peak. Climbing these peaks and their summits leads to fantastic sights, and Huashan has nearly 210 sights in total.
Although the journey begins with the giant staircase, also known as the Stairway to Heaven, they are still the easiest part of the journey. The end of the ladder seems to be surrounded by clouds and mist, so it is called the ladder of heaven, and it also puts tourists in a small house and a small village.
The journey continues with a cable car that takes visitors to the teahouse. Finally, the hardest task begins with the Skywalk, one of the most dangerous trails. This is a 700-year-old plank road, with wood and stone nails suspended from the vertical cliff.
Visitors must navigate the trail, which has no handrails or any solid supports to hold on to, other than chains on the cliffs. The total length of the trail is only 30 centimeters, and the steep valley below is a test of the courage and faith of tourists.
One can enjoy a magnificent panorama of the rolling mountains, the Yellow and Wei rivers, Taoist temples and the popular Skywalk. Plus, there are a variety of hiking opportunities to explore here.
9 half dome
Half Dome is an off-center granite dome at the eastern end of Yosemite Valley in Yosemite National Park, California. This steep and strenuous hike takes about 10-14 hours to complete at 5,457 feet above sea level.
There are several ways to hike Half Dome, starting with the Mist Trail and heading to Vernal and Nevada Fall. After this, the trail passes through a grove of redwoods and the hike begins to the Subdome.
The most fascinating part of the ride is the Half Dome Gondola, which takes visitors up and down steep stairs. Permits are required to climb the Subdome and Half Dome, and most people make it to the summit safely, while others turn back.
8 great wall of china
A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Great Wall of China was built by Chinese emperors to protect their territory. The total length of the Great Wall of China in the past dynasties is about 21196.18 kilometers, and the existing Great Wall is 8851.8 kilometers. The walking portion takes approximately 3 hours and is roughly 4-6 km in length.
The Great Wall of China has different sections with varying levels of difficulty. Badaling Great Wall and Mutianyu Great Wall are relatively easy to hike, while Jinshanling and Simatai are relatively boring.
However, Jiankou is considered the most dangerous route, with steep steps, and is part of the Great Wall near Beijing. It takes almost a year and a half to walk the entire Great Wall of China on foot, testing the endurance of physical and mental strength.
7 Devil’s Barrel
A fascinating landmark, the Pailon Del Diablo (Devil’s Cauldron) is a massive waterfall in Baños, Ecuador. The majestic waterfall is 80 meters high and 1410 meters above sea level.
The winding spiral staircase that follows the falls adds to the majestic view as it allows remote viewing of the falls from all directions. While the grandeur of the waterfall is unmatched, parts of the staircase are shrouded in mist, making the scene adventurous and intimidating.
However, there are two ways to reach the falls. The original route involves descending 20 minutes of steps to descend below the falls, while the second route takes visitors up to the top of the falls for a panoramic view.
Due to the different perspectives of the two places, tourists can try one or both routes. The original route was a bit more difficult as it included steep climbs.
6 Flory stairs
Florli is a small roadless village on the southern side of Lysefjorden in Norway, famous for Stairway to Heaven. The world’s longest wooden staircase, located in the Florli Stairs in southern Norway, is equivalent to climbing the Eiffel Tower or the Empire State Building almost twice.
Along the water and electricity pipelines, in order to facilitate the maintenance of workers, this Flory’s famous 4444-step staircase was built more than 100 years ago. Even though they are the tallest and longest staircases in the world, they are easily accessible to tourists.
It takes about four hours to complete this hike. The bonus of hiking is the unique view of one of Norway’s most beautiful fjords.
5 China Taihang Mountains
Be careful climbing these steps if you have any heart problems. While the formidable Taihang Mountains stretch 400 kilometers across almost three provinces, the 300-foot spiral staircase adds to the mountain’s allure.
Indeed, stairs offer the same experience as climbing a mountain without any of the dangers and are therefore very popular with travelers. However, it is not recommended for people over the age of 60 or those with heart conditions.
It is truly an adventure with strong winds, panoramic views and birds flying by.
4 san juan de gaztrugat
It should come as no surprise if anyone has come across this location on Game of Thrones. San Juan de Gaztelugatxe is an abbey church dedicated to John the Baptist, located on the coast of the Bay of Biscay in Spain.
Built in the 10th century, the church can be reached by a stunning staircase, also known as the “Stairway to the Sea”. On the Rocky Isle, the nearly 237 stairs that wind from top to bottom are considered one of the most magnificent staircases in the world.
If visitors successfully climb these stairs and ring the bell three times in front of the door, their wishes may come true.
3 Batu Caves, Malaysia
The second tallest statue of a Hindu deity in the world, Malaysia’s Batu Caves are a series of caves in the Malaysian state of Selangor. Not only is the cave fascinating because of its formation, but so is the rainbow-colored steep staircase.
There are 272 steps in total, which are naturally steep. Although, they are easily accessible, it takes about 20 minutes to climb them and two to three hours to explore the caves.
The Batu Caves are just one of the reasons why Malaysia is so highly underrated.
2 Angkor Wat
Considered the largest religious monument in the world, Angkor Wat in Cambodia dates back to the 12th century. Dedicated to Lord Vishnu, the temple covers 401 acres and stands 700 feet high.
Angkor Wat is believed to have quite complicated and steep stairs, and one had to climb the steps by hand. Recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the site is revered for its cultural significance across the globe.
1 Machu Picchu
The ancient Incan ruins of Machu Picchu in Peru is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the Seven Wonders of the World. Located at an altitude of 7970 feet above sea level, this castle belongs to the 15th century. The purpose of Machu Picchu is very vague, as there are never written records of the Incas who built it.
There are many routes to reach the top of Machu Picchu, with nearly 1,600 uphill steps. The stairs are monolithic steps, naturally quite steep, and there is no split.
