Printed Might 16, 2026 08:05AM
You possibly can inform your self you hate drama—however you’d most likely be mendacity. Deep down, all people loves somewhat gossip, and path controversy proves an everlasting wellspring. Whereas we at Backpacker actually want that trails would by no means shut and hikers would all the time behave, we all know dangerous issues are sure to occur whenever you combine individuals and nature. And once they do, it positive is sweet to have one thing to bicker over.
From goal hazards to authorized murkiness to allowing nightmares, listed here are 9 hikes we like to hate on (and nonetheless secretly need to do).
Haiku Stairs, Oahu, Hawaii
Deep in Oahu’s jungled hill nation, a slim staircase with 4,000 steps ascends a distant mountaintop. A well-liked topic for Instagrammers, the Haiku Stairs are one of many island’s best-known wonders—regardless that they’ve been unlawful to climb because the Nineteen Eighties.
The U.S. Navy constructed the steps throughout World Warfare II to entry a distant radio transmitting station. After the conflict, the route turned a vacationer attraction. Within the Seventies, authorities found vandalization and harm to the staircase, and closed it for security causes. Hikers paid little heed. Greater than 100 rescues later, officers determined to dismantle the steps for good. Locals fought again. Proper now, there are three open court docket circumstances preventing the closure, and demolition is on pause (although entry stays off limits—and summit-poaching continues).
Culebra Peak, Colorado
Culebra Peak has been a lightning rod for debate because the Nineteen Eighties. At 14,047 toes, it’s regarded as the tallest privately owned mountain on earth. Sadly, that personal possession has proved a constant headache for hikers missioning to tag all of Colorado’s 14,000-foot peaks. The present property proprietor—the inheritor to a Texas oil fortune—retains the trailhead gated off to the general public throughout weekdays. To climb it, you have to register for a weekend slot effectively upfront—and pay a whopping $150.
A little bit bonus drama: Some big-name 14er hikers have boycotted the height, although not all have been upfront about it. A couple of years in the past, a hiker made headlines for a brand new 14er velocity document—till it got here out that she’d skipped Culebra. She was stripped of her title (although she claimed to face by her choice).
Havasu Falls, Grand Canyon, Arizona
The electrical-blue waters of Havasu Falls could also be accessible from Grand Canyon Nationwide Park, however they lie on Havasupai tribal land. Which means the tribe will get to make the foundations—and never everyone seems to be pleased with them. Hikers at the moment need to pay $455 for a allow, keep not less than three nights, hike 20 miles spherical journey, and jockey for a spot beside the notoriously crowded swimming pools. Journey reviews usually point out litter, unprepared camp neighbors, and animal cruelty (for an additional payment, you may ebook a mule, and a few allege unfair remedy of the animals.)
That stated, the Havasupai are the land’s rightful stewards, and what they are saying goes. Sadly, some Grand Canyon river runners have discovered a loophole: parking a ship on the Colorado river, climbing upstream, and dodging fee. Say what you need concerning the excessive costs, however dishonest the system is certifiably uncool.
Hanging Lake Path, Colorado
Even earlier than a catastrophic hearth and ensuing floods destroyed a lot of the route in 2020, the legendary Hanging Lake Path was the topic of runaway Instagram fame, excessive crowding, and controversy surrounding its inflexible reservation system. In 2026, the path lastly reopened after a multimillion-dollar rebuild; on a preview of the brand new route, our editor-in-chief discovered loads to love. Nonetheless, the brand new path does have its critics: The rugged character of the path has been changed with lengthy staircases, stone walkways, and wood boardwalks and viewing platforms. The enhancements promise to make the path extra proof against erosion and defend the biochemically fragile waters from would-be swimmers. And whereas the lake stays as beautiful as ever, some lament the everlasting lack of the unique expertise.
Satan’s Path, Catskills, New York
Cliffside traverses, slick scrambles, and uncovered ridges make the Satan’s Path one of the vital harmful hikes within the U.S. It’s additionally infernally strenuous, tackling 9,000 vertical toes over simply 24 miles. To make it simpler (and forestall erosion from frantically scrabbling hikers), the New York State Division of Environmental Conservation (DEC) put in a sequence of metallic rungs to assist climbers ascend one of many steeper scrambles in 2019. Some locals didn’t take kindly to the change and chopped most of them off. The harm rendered the path much more harmful than it was earlier than. An emergency closure adopted.
The Satan’s Path now follows a brand new route that avoids a number of the cliffside scrambling, although loads of the steep stuff stays. In the meantime, discussions nonetheless simmer about whether or not to protect the path’s unique character, or take motion to forestall the near-annual deaths.
Mossbrae Falls, California
The hike to the ethereal Mossbrae Falls is totally unlawful—however that doesn’t cease 18,900 individuals from accessing it every year. To get there, you need to both sneak alongside a railroad right-of-way—non-public property that comes with the added danger of getting hit by a prepare—or trespass on non-public land owned by a new-age non secular group. The close by city of Dunsmuir is elevating cash to supply authorized entry by putting in a bridge throughout the river, however seems to be a number of million {dollars} brief. Within the meantime, hikers proceed to poach entry, and the Instaworthy pics carry on coming.
Mt. Katahdin, Maine
The Appalachian Path’s northern terminus will get extra guests than virtually some other peak in Maine—and but it sits inside a state park that a number of the most inflexible guidelines within the state. That’s as a result of, when former Governor Percival Baxter gifted the state park land to the state of Maine in 1931, he did so beneath the situation that the land stay wild. Consequently, the state park limits dispersed tenting, group dimension, and alcohol consumption, amongst different issues. Hikers aren’t all the time joyful about it.
When large teams of thru-hikers try to complete their months-long hikes arm-in-arm—or when FKT-setting ultrarunners summit with a assist crew in tow—the park responds with citations and fines. These are inclined to spark infernos of debate about who has the correct to do what within the backcountry. Lately, some hikers have advocated for transferring the AT’s northern terminus to someplace much less contentious. Whereas a lowland end may very well be anticlimactic, it might make it simpler for thru-hikers to seek out open tenting the night time earlier than—and to cross the end line collectively.
Angel’s Touchdown, Utah
This roundup wouldn’t be full with out not less than a quick nod to Zion Nationwide Park’s most well-known path. With not less than 18 confirmed deaths—together with one within the spring of 2026—it’s one of many nation’s most harmful hikes. Whereas some guests beg the park so as to add extra handrails and enhance hiker training, others decry the guardrails (and intensive paved path) that already do exist, preferring as an alternative a wilder character and a climb-at-your-own-risk ethic. The required allow system is its personal supply of debate, and path sneaks stay a constant drawback.
Glen Onoko Falls, Pennsylvania
Glen Onoko could also be one in every of Pennsylvania’s most picturesque cascades, however the jury’s out on whether or not the dangerous hike is definitely worth the view. The path itself is strenuous and uncovered in locations, and the route deposits hikers atop the cascade. There, slick rocks make it straightforward to get swept into the present—and over the falls—for those who’re not cautious. In the course of the busy summer time season, accidents have been occurring virtually each day, and native search and rescue personnel known as the positioning “a nightmare.” After dozens of rescues and not less than seven deaths, officers closed the path to guests in 2019.
Locals, lots of whom have been climbing to Glen Onoko for generations, protested the closure. Whereas some nonetheless sneak a hike in once in a while, others have reported a crackdown in enforcement. The excellent news: Some Pennsylvania politicians are toying with the thought of reopening the path—albeit not with out substantial security enhancements first.
