Fatal drops, deep gorges, thin planks along sheer cliffs, precarious toe holes — Mount Hua Shan in China is home to the world’s scariest and most dangerous trail.
One usually doesn’t associate Taoist monks with extreme adventures, but the heavenly stairs, which lead to the Hua Shan plank path, is just that. These thrill-seeking monks certainly had a taste for exhilaration, as well as meditation of course.
For those brave (or crazy) enough to make their way up this 2,154 meter mountain, something special awaits…
This is the easy part.
A lot of stairs but no danger in sight…
Don’t let the heavenly stairs lull you into a false sense of security.
The views of the surrounding mountains and villages that dot them are staggeringly beautiful.
Once you get high enough, you can take a gondola to the southern peak, where the plank path awaits.
As promised, we present: Danger. Walk along the planks and hold on to the chains for dear life. Safety gear is optional.
These people are officially nuts.
Whatever is waiting at the top better be worth it…
If that wasn’t enough, there are parts you must climb — note the toe holes cut out.
Eeek!
My knees are wobbling just looking at this.
I think her choice of footwear is questionable at best.
There is no point of turning back now.
Almost there…
Finally! And here is what awaits…
…a Taoist temple that has been converted into a teahouse!
So, either these people really like dangerous climbing, or they really like tea. I’ll stick to my local coffee shop thank you very much.