Exploration
9 of the world's steepest, scariest staircases
Going up? Whether carved into rock or made of iron, these staircases will leave you praying for an elevator.
From China to Colombia, steps carved by ancient civilizations to rickety stairs on the sides of mountains, these are the world's longest and scariest stairways.
These are only be attempted by those with a head for heights and legs that like to suffer.
1. Half Dome
Get in line. This way to the top.
© Jimmy Chin / Getty Images
Location: Yosemite, USA
Steps: Unknown number but the steps are 400 feet in height
Rating: Hard — the 16-mile round trip takes 12 hours
Rising nearly 5,000 feet above the valley floor in California, Half Dome is a Yosemite National Park icon and a great challenge to climb. However, as one of the most attractive peaks in the hood, it suffers from popularity. But if you can wait your turn in the line and make it up, you'll be rewarded with one of the best views over the iconic park.
2. Great Wall of China
The Great Wall of China
© Sino / Getty Images
Location: China
Steps: 5,164 along the 26-mile marathon route
Rating: Hard — the steps go on forever
The official length of the Great Wall of China is 13,170 miles. Just along one 26-mile stretch — the official course of the Great Wall of China marathon — there are 5,164 stone steps. That's a lot of steps.
3. Pailon del Diablo waterfall
Hit by the spray, these steps get slippery.
© Bernd Bieder / Getty Images
Location: Ecuador
Steps: 262 feet high
Rating: Moderate, unless you accidentally slip
These may not be the longest steps in the world, but they're among the most dramatic. They take you right up close to the Pailon del Diablo (Devil's Cauldron) waterfall. Since the steps are continually getting sprayed, they require some care not to slip on.
4. El Peñón de Guatapé
Crazy staircase to the summit of El Peñol
© The Colombian Way/ Getty Images
Location: Colombia
Steps: 740
Rating: Tough, but not difficult
Also known as El Peñol, the Rock of Guatapé was once worshipped by Tahamies Indians. You can pay homage to the 656-foot high monolith by taking the 740 steps to the top of the uniquely surreal staircase built into the side of the rock.
5. San Juan de Gaztelugatxe
Coastal hikes don’t get much better than this.
© Oliver Strewe / Getty Images
Location: Biscay, Spain
Steps: 237
Rating: Easy
Fans of "Game of Thrones" may recognize the steps to this remote 10th century church, which was used as a location in Series 7. According to legend, after climbing all its steps, you're supposed to ring the bell three times and make a wish. Wishing for an elevator to take you back down is not allowed.
6. Mount Huashan
This is not a good place to stop and look down
© flocu / Getty Images
Location: China
Steps: No official count
Rating: Hard
Call these steps? The climb to the summit of Mount Huashan is one that will test even those hikers with a head for extreme heights and no regard for their own safety. It's not just the numerous steps hewn into the rock that climbers have to contend with, but these "steps" hammered into narrow and exposed boardwalks. But don't worry, there's a teahouse at the summit to soothe your frayed nerves.
7. The Niesen Railway
Taking the train might be quicker
© Michael Reinhard / Getty Images
Location: Switzerland
Steps: 11,674
Rating: Hard
The steps that run alongside the Niesen mountain railway in Switzerland are officially the longest stairway in the world. There are 11,674 steps in all, and it's only possible to hike them one day a year during the Niesen Run. It's only a two-mile run but there's 5,475 feet of altitude to climb!
8. Lion Rock
Not rock climbing exactly
© Emad Aljumah / Getty Images
Location: Sigiriya, Sri Lanka
Steps: 1,200
Rating: Not hard
Sri Lanka's Sigiriya is an ancient rock fortress where a 5th century king built a palace on the summit and decorated its sides with colorful frescoes. Among the wonders is the Lion Staircase (pictured). The climb is not long, but those steps are steep.
9. Machu Picchu
To get here you need to hike up lots of steps
© Sean Caffrey/Getty Images
Location: Peru
Steps: More than 3,000
Rating: Hard
To build this mountain-top citadel, the ancient Incas must have not only been master craftsmen, but also incredibly fit. There are over 100 flights of stairs with over 3,000 steps leading to the site, which sits at 7.874 feet. In the rarified air, you'll most likely feel close to death — but don't worry, it's been several hundred years since any real human sacrifices took place there.
