Climbing up Mount Huashan in China is an insane hike.  It leaves you perilously hanging on the side of a sheer drop of thousands of meters.

Known as one of the most dangerous hikes in the world, Mount Huashan is situated about 120 kilometers from Xi’an.  The mountain range is so majestic that it served as inspiration and a prototype for the movie ‘‘Avatar”

Legend says that there is only one true path up Mount Huaskan, and unfortunately that isn’t on the cable car which has been recently installed!

Hiking up Mount Huashan means the ‘Plank Walk’

Set on the Southern peak, climbers edge their way around a mountain at a height of 2,160 meters.  Pilgrims originally walked the path (with no planks), as they sought immortality in the mountains 700 years ago.

This trek also goes by the name ‘Plank Walk.’   Hiking up Mount Huashan takes you along a path following the crags and cracks in the rocks.  The only way to get across is by walking on planks of wood, assisted by a safety harness. But there can sometimes be a traffic jam of climbers, so you may need to pass people, which really does send your heart straight into your mouth. It may sound crazy to say, but you do get used to the sensation of gazing over a long drop, before remembering where you are, and thinking “oh, be careful!”

The local authorities have taken major steps to mitigate the risk, including the deepening of pathways. However, it still pays to be vigilant as parts of the route are precarious.  This is especially true during certain months of the year, because the conditions get icy.