As you climb these steps, make sure to watch where you step. Here are some of the most spectacular and dangerous staircases in the world. Stairs have been built for a very long time to aid in the ascent of heights and to lessen the amount of work that is required for this. However, in other regions of the world, stairs are so terrible that they appear to be nothing more than a series of corridors going to the underworld.
#1: Half Dome Stairs, California, USA
The Half Dome Cable Route is a scary walk that goes for 13 km and takes you to an altitude of about 4,800 ft. Before, because the trail was hard, there weren’t as many people on it, but now there are about 800 people on it every day. This hiking trail takes you to the Vernal and Nevada Falls, then into Yosemite Valley, and finally to the Half Dome.
#2: Spiral staircase of the Sagrada Familia, Barcelona, Spain
One of the most impressive examples of architecture in the world can be seen in the unfinished church designed by the illustrious architect Antoni Gaudi. Gaudi’s vision for this Roman Catholic Church included the canopy of a nearby forest serving as the structure’s roof. The stairs are built so that they wind around a wall on one side and have no handrail on the other side. So, you should climb at your own risk.
#3: Mount Huashan Heavenly Stairs, China
Mount Huashan is one of the five sacred mountains in China, and it can be found in the Shaanxi province, specifically near the city of Huayin. Mount Huashan is a popular destination for pilgrims since it is home to a wide range of temples and other religious sites that are perched in dangerously exposed locations on its slopes and peaks.
#4: Florli Stairs, near Lysefjord, Norway
This interesting set of stairs, which are near the town of Lysefjord, made the list for two reasons: it has 4,444 steps and is 2,427 feet above sea level. This scary staircase is made out of wood and takes you on a journey full of risk and adventure.
#5: Inca Stairs, Peru
These steps lead up to the Moon Temple, which is one of the worship locations in the Machu Picchu region of Peru that sees the fewest number of visitors. The steep and winding form of the stairs may make the trip less enjoyable for you, despite the fact that the views from the top of the ruins are spectacular. The most precarious parts of the staircase have been secured with metal chains, and the number of visitors allowed each day is restricted to a select few.
#6: Haiku Stairs, Oahu, Hawaii
This rickety set of 3,922 stairs goes up the Koolau Mountain Range on Oahu for a half mile. The U.S. Navy built these stairs in 1942 so that they could put in communication wires. They were called the “Highway to Heaven.”
#7: Janssen Observatory, Mont Blanc, France
Still, it’s easier to climb than Sagrada Familia. There are handrails for support, and the walls aren’t crowded. Well, the scariest thing about these stairs is that they are at the top of Mont Blanc, which is the tallest mountain in the Alps. And last but not least, this staircase is open to the elements, which makes it very hard to climb.
#8: San Juan de Gaztelugatxe, Spain
San Juan de Gazrelugatxe is an ancient hermitage located on a small, rocky island off the coast of Biscay in the Basque region of Spain. Fodors claims that in the 14th century, the Templars utilized the Romanesque chapel as a stronghold, but its exact history remains a mystery. The islet and the chapel on it offer some of the most breathtaking panoramas in all of Spain, but getting there is no easy feat.
#9: El Penon de Guatape, Colombia
Tahamies Indians used to worship the Rock of Guatapé, which was also known as El Peol. The Rock of Guatapé in Colombia is over 650 feet tall and has a scary 649-step staircase that goes up through a crack in the monolith’s rock surface. These modern stairs lead to a great viewing area on top of the rock, where people can take in the amazing view, eat, or buy souvenirs.
#10: Pailon del Diablo waterfall, Ecuador
Even though these aren’t the longest steps in the world, they are among the most exciting. They get you right up close to the Devil’s Cauldron (Pailon del Diablo) waterfall. Since water is constantly sprayed on the steps, you have to be careful not to slip.