We’ve all stood at the start of a hike before, perhaps with some trepidation as to whether we could do it. But usually, somehow, we still trust that everything will go smoothly. However, there are some routes that are definitely not for everyone. Obstacles on them are inhospitable conditions, long distances or high altitudes. And this is the route that awaits a few adventurers who have decided to venture further than usual.

Why do people go on extreme hikes? Why do they take on what at first glance seems like an impossible challenge? What are the most extreme routes in the world and how many adventurers have attempted them? We bring you the answers to these very frequently asked questions.

Why even venture to the extreme?

Many people start a hike as a way to relax. They are attracted by the fresh air, the quiet, the simple goal. But for some enthusiasts this is not enough. Later, they start looking for challenges. For them, an extreme route often means a long distance, a huge elevation gain, or hostile conditions. All this also means a significantly higher risk of not completing the hike. For example, an article on the website The Inertia mentioned that when hiking in the mountains in the US, the chance of death is approximately 1 in 15,700, which is reportedly six times higher than skydiving.

So when someone says “hiking is extreme”, it’s not just a platitude. It can be a hike that you don’t complete and end up exhausted and frustrated halfway through. At best. At worst, it can really push you to your physical and mental limits. And that’s what attracts many people.

Examples of extreme routes

There are several routes that people who love a challenge know about. For example, route A: GR 20: Corsica is approximately 180 kilometres long. The number of people attempting it each year is reported to be between 10,000 and 20,000. The route is characterised by difficult terrain, extreme changes in altitude and often bad weather. It is definitely not a day trip. Participants can expect to spend the night in the rocks, lack of food, water, and discomfort. Few are able to complete the route.

The Great Himalaya Trail is another extreme route. It leads through the Himalayas and is an example of a real walking challenge. The route is over 1 700 kilometres long. The elevation gain during the trek reaches tens of thousands of metres. In addition to all the problems mentioned earlier, in this case, people who decide to climb the route must also face extreme cold.

Several people have also attempted the world’s longest walking route in the past, which is the route from Magadan in Russia to Cape Town in South Africa. The route is more than 22 000 kilometres long and the estimated time taken to complete it is 4 492 hours.

Extremely long routes are dangerous for many people because of their environment, difficulty and inhospitable conditions and weather. ━━ Extremely long routes are dangerous for many people because of their environment, difficulty and inhospitable conditions and weather. ( Source: Jonatan Pie /  Unsplash+ )

The importance of preparation and respect for risk

If one decides to tackle one of the extreme routes, one needs to understand the importance of preparation. It is important not to underestimate this type of hike. These are definitely not routes for the naive; one must know what one is getting into and understand the risks.

Preparations for such hikes often take many months. Nevertheless, participants often end up exhausted after a few days or decide not to take further risks and not to overestimate their strength. Otherwise, they face many dangers. But if they manage to complete the route anyway, they will feel great at the end of it and will be recognized by many adventurers.