Most dangerous tourist trek

CLINGING to a rusty iron chain above a 2090m drop, China's Mt Huashan has to be the scariest tourist trek in the world.

BORED of guided walks where the only adventure is trying not to end up with food poisoning from soggy sarnies? Here's a hike that will get your juices flowing.

Described as the most dangerous tourist route in the world, Mt. Huashan in China has ramblers clinging to rusty iron chains whilst dangling over a 2090m cliff face… and no safety barrier.

Situated in Huayin City, 120km east of Xi'an City, Mt. Huashan is the tallest of five sacred mountains at 2200m above sea level.

But to reach the summit by foot, trekkers have to navigate their way along a trail consisting of narrow footpaths and extremely steep staircases that have been chiselled into the mountain.

The North Peak section of the trail has cliffs on all sides; forcing hikers to manoeuvre across the cliff face with the help of a rusty chain and a 30cm wide wooden plank. And then there's the hairy 20m descent using a squeaky chain to get back on the trail.

A Japanese TV show who completed the trail claimed more than 100 climbers a year fall to their deaths on the trail.

Yet despite the dangers, the hike can attract hundreds of climbers a day, all clambering over one another along the narrow sections of the trail.

The climb can take 24 hours to visit all five peaks on foot, but only five to six hours with the help of a cable car that has been rather shoddily constructed at the foot of the mountain. For some, this journey is even scarier than the actual walk.

Those who complete the climb are rewarded with cloud encroaching views of breath-taking scenery including: waterfalls, temples and ancient ruins.

Good luck!