Top 10 Toughest Trails -- Too Hard for Most Hikers -- with JUSTIN OUTDOORS
These routes are hard for different reasons: steep elevation, rough footing, exposure, remoteness, and the preparation they require.
- Expect major elevation and altitude on routes like Cactus to Clouds and the Maroon Bells Four Pass Loop.
- Treat the West Coast Trail as slippery, rugged terrain; rain increases the risk of falls and rescues.
- For remote routes such as the Wapta Traverse and Great Divide Road, plan for training, navigation, self-sufficiency, and emergencies.
The discussion names demanding routes and their challenges but offers few detailed how-to instructions. · Best for: Hikers comparing demanding day hikes and remote, multi-day routes.
Three hikers compare routes they consider especially difficult, citing distance, elevation, weather, terrain, remoteness, and preparation. The list ranges from strenuous day hikes to long wilderness traverses; it is an informal discussion, not a ranked guide.
Cactus to Clouds and Grand Canyon Rim to Rim0:00
- Cactus to Clouds starts in Palm Springs and climbs more than 10,000 feet over 15 miles to Mount San Jacinto; hiking back makes it 30 miles.
- A tram from the mountain base can shorten the descent.
- Rim to rim is challenging because it begins with a large descent, gets warmer at lower elevations, then requires a substantial climb out; the speakers estimate 5,000–6,000 feet of gain.
West Coast Trail and Maroon Bells Four Pass Loop2:06
- The West Coast Trail is about 47 miles; adding the Juan de Fuca Trail brings the discussed route to about 76 miles.
- Wet roots, ladders, and bridges can become hazardous in rain; the speakers describe frequent rescues.
- The Maroon Bells loop is about 28 miles with roughly 8,000 feet of gain and four passes above 12,000 feet. One speaker says clockwise was the harder direction for them.
Wapta Traverse and Wonderland Trail4:54
- The Wapta Traverse was presented as difficult because it demands extensive preparation, including avalanche and crevasse-rescue training and months of physical training.
- The Wonderland Trail around Mount Rainier is described as 93 miles with 27,000 feet of elevation gain; suggested completion times discussed were 7, 10, or 14 days.
John Muir Trail and Great Divide Road6:44
- The John Muir Trail is about 211 miles with 40,000 feet of elevation gain; the speakers describe repeated climbs and descents and a high quit rate.
- The Great Divide Road is about 100 miles, mostly off trail, with river crossings, difficult navigation, high remoteness, and no resupply.
Great Divide Trail and Gates of the Arctic8:41
- The Great Divide Trail is described as about 750 miles with a speaker-estimated 160,000 feet of gain, plus stream crossings, wild weather, and possible snow in August.
- The Gates of the Arctic example involves a remote traverse with difficult terrain and weather; the speakers debate whether it qualifies as a trail.
Notes are AI-generated from the video's transcript and may miss nuance.