Something about vanishing without a trace sends a chill down the spine. One moment, you’re walking a quiet trail, feeling the crunch of dirt beneath your boots, the next—you’re gone. No signs of struggle. No final words. Just an eerie silence where you once stood.
Across the world, certain trails hold dark secrets—places where people step in but never step out. Mysterious forces, unsolved disappearances, and stories whispered around campfires for generations. These aren’t just hikes; they are traps in the wilderness, luring in the curious, the brave… and the unlucky. Dare to discover the trails of the lost? Keep reading.
1. Dyatlov Pass, Russia – The Most Chilling Mystery in Hiking History
Few trails in the world carry the kind of eerie reputation that Dyatlov Pass does. Located in the Ural Mountains of Russia, this pass is named after Igor Dyatlov, the leader of a group of nine experienced hikers who mysteriously vanished in 1959. Their bodies were later discovered under chilling circumstances—some with severe internal injuries, missing eyes and tongues, and radiation traces. Theories range from avalanches and hypothermia to secret military experiments and even paranormal activity.
If you’ve got a thing for spine-chilling mysteries, Dyatlov Pass is both fascinating and unsettling. Despite being open for trekking, the Russian government heavily regulates access, and many adventurers report an overwhelming sense of unease while hiking through the area. The unpredictable weather, freezing temperatures, and remote wilderness make this a truly dangerous place. Some still claim to have seen strange lights in the sky or heard eerie sounds echoing through the valley.
While Dyatlov Pass isn’t your typical “let’s go for a scenic hike” spot, it’s one of those places that intrigues people to the core. But if you’re thinking of braving it, be warned—many hikers have reported a strong sense of being watched, and some have even disappeared without a trace, just like the original Dyatlov group.
Other Relevant Information:
- Best Months to Visit: June to September (but still dangerous)
- Difficulty Level: Extreme – Unpredictable weather, remote location
- Biggest Danger: Harsh cold, avalanches, unexplained phenomena
- Restricted Access? Yes – Permits are required, and Russian authorities regulate visits
2. The Bennington Triangle, Vermont, USA – America’s Own Bermuda Triangle
Vermont’s Bennington Triangle is a small, unassuming region famous for people disappearing without a trace. Between 1945 and 1950, at least five people vanished, with some never found at all. The most famous case is Paula Jean Welden, an 18-year-old college student who went for a hike on Long Trail and was never seen again. Nobody, no clues—just gone.
Locals and historians point to strange folklore, supernatural forces, and even alien abductions as possible explanations. Others believe there could be hidden caves, underground waterways, or even a rogue serial killer who operated undetected. The area has a deeply unsettling atmosphere, and many hikers report an unnatural silence in the woods, almost as if the land itself is watching.
Despite its dark past, the Bennington Triangle remains a beautiful yet haunting place for those who dare to visit. However, many locals advise against wandering too deep into the forests, especially alone. Some hikers claim to have heard disembodied voices, seen shadowy figures, or experienced bizarre time lapses. Whatever the truth is, this place has earned its reputation as one of the most cursed hiking spots in America.
Other Relevant Information:
- Best Months to Visit: Late Spring to Early Fall
- Difficulty Level: Moderate (but mentally challenging due to eerie atmosphere)
- Biggest Danger: Getting lost, possible wildlife, eerie encounters
- Restricted Access? Partially – Some trails closed after disappearances
3. Superstition Mountains, Arizona, USA – Cursed Gold and Vanishing Hikers
The Superstition Mountains are one of Arizona’s most treacherous and mysterious hiking spots. Not only do they have a reputation for disappearances, but they are also home to the legendary Lost Dutchman’s Gold Mine, a treasure that many believe is cursed. Over the decades, numerous prospectors, hikers, and even experienced guides have vanished while searching for the hidden gold.
One of the most baffling cases was in 2010 when three hikers set off into the mountains and never returned. Months later, their remains were found scattered in different locations—without their backpacks or essential survival gear. Theories range from harsh desert conditions and hidden caves to rumors of secret societies protecting the mine. Some claim that the spirits of Native American warriors who once guarded the land still haunt the mountains, causing people to become disoriented and lost.
Despite its dangers, the Superstition Mountains remain a popular hiking destination, drawing in both thrill-seekers and treasure hunters. But be warned—many who venture too deep never come back. The desert terrain is unforgiving, the heat is brutal, and the stories of ghostly whispers at night only add to its eerie appeal.
Other Relevant Information:
- Best Months to Visit: October to March (cooler temperatures)
- Difficulty Level: High – Harsh terrain, heat exhaustion risk
- Biggest Danger: Getting lost, dehydration, paranormal rumors
- Restricted Access? No, but extreme caution advised
4. Mount Kailash, Tibet – The Sacred Mountain You’re Not Allowed to Climb
Mount Kailash is unlike any other mountain in the world—it’s forbidden to climb. Considered sacred in Hinduism, Buddhism, and Jainism, it’s believed that no mortal should set foot on its peak. And here’s where it gets creepy: Every person who has attempted the climb has disappeared or died in mysterious circumstances.
Pilgrims visit Mount Kailash for spiritual treks around its base, but attempts to reach the summit are strictly prohibited by the Tibetan government. Even experienced climbers who have approached the mountain describe experiencing bizarre time distortions, extreme disorientation, and even hallucinations. Some legends claim that the mountain is a gateway to another dimension or that it’s protected by divine forces.
To this day, no one has successfully climbed Mount Kailash and lived to tell the tale. Whether it’s divine protection, supernatural forces, or just sheer environmental danger, one thing is certain—this is one mountain you don’t want to mess with.
Other Relevant Information:
- Best Months to Visit: May to September
- Difficulty Level: Impossible – Climbing banned
- Biggest Danger: Unexplainable phenomena, extreme altitude
- Restricted Access? Yes – Climbing is strictly prohibited
5. Annapurna Circuit, Nepal – The Trail That Takes Lives Every Year
Nepal’s Annapurna Circuit is both breathtaking and deadly. While it’s one of the world’s most famous trekking routes, it’s also notorious for its high fatality rate, with hundreds of trekkers disappearing or dying over the years. The unpredictable blizzards, avalanches, and extreme altitude sickness make it incredibly dangerous, even for experienced hikers.
One of the most tragic incidents occurred in 2014, when an unexpected snowstorm struck, killing at least 43 trekkers and leaving dozens more stranded. Some were found frozen solid, while others were simply never seen again. The mountain has a strange, unforgiving aura, and locals believe it’s home to restless spirits that lure hikers off the trail.
Despite the risks, thousands of people attempt the Annapurna Circuit every year. While many complete the trek safely, the unpredictable nature of the Himalayas means that some never make it back. If you’re planning this trek, take it seriously—because the mountain doesn’t care about experience or preparation.
Other Relevant Information:
- Best Months to Visit: March to May, September to November
- Difficulty Level: Extreme – High-altitude, unpredictable weather
- Biggest Danger: Avalanches, altitude sickness, getting lost
- Restricted Access? Partially – Permits required, seasonal closures
6. Hoia Baciu Forest, Romania – The World’s Creepiest Woods
There’s something deeply unsettling about Hoia Baciu Forest. Located near Cluj-Napoca, Romania, this place is infamous for paranormal activity, strange disappearances, and eerie folklore. It all started when a shepherd and his 200 sheep disappeared without a trace, and things only got weirder from there. Over the years, countless hikers have gone missing, some reappearing later with no memory of where they’d been.
If you step inside the forest, you’ll notice something’s off. The trees twist and contort in unnatural shapes, forming eerie spirals and knots. Visitors report hearing whispers in languages they don’t understand, unexplained lights floating between the trees and sudden feelings of nausea and dread. Some have even claimed to experience time loss—entering the forest for what felt like minutes, only to find that hours had passed.
Despite its sinister reputation, Hoia Baciu is a tourist attraction, drawing ghost hunters and thrill-seekers. But would you really want to wander these woods at night, knowing that so many have walked in and never walked out?
Other Relevant Information:
- Best Months to Visit: Spring and Fall (if you dare)
- Difficulty Level: Easy, but psychologically intense
- Biggest Danger: Getting lost, potential paranormal encounters
- Restricted Access? No, but many locals refuse to enter
7. Yosemite National Park, California, USA – A Beautiful Place with a Dark Secret
Yosemite is breathtaking—soaring cliffs, cascading waterfalls, and endless wilderness. But beneath its postcard-perfect scenery, a disturbing number of people have vanished over the years. Some were seasoned hikers, others casual visitors—yet they all had one thing in common: they were never found.
One of the most famous cases is that of Stacy Arras, a 14-year-old girl who vanished in 1981 while on a short, easy hike near the High Sierra Camp. Despite an extensive search, not a single trace of her was ever found. And she’s far from the only one—hundreds of people have disappeared under bizarre circumstances, sometimes within just a few yards of their companions.
What makes Yosemite’s disappearances so unsettling is the lack of logical explanations. The terrain is challenging but not impossible, yet experienced hikers have gone missing without leaving a single footprint, shred of clothing, or clue behind. Some believe there’s something unnatural about this place, while others suspect hidden caves or dangerous wildlife lurking where humans don’t belong.
Other Relevant Information:
- Best Months to Visit: May to October
- Difficulty Level: Varies from easy to extreme
- Biggest Danger: Getting lost, potential wildlife encounters
- Restricted Access? No, but some trails have been closed due to disappearances
8. The Devil’s Tramping Ground, North Carolina, USA – A Place Where Nothing Grows (and People Vanish)
Deep in the woods of North Carolina, there’s a perfectly round patch of barren land—about 40 feet in diameter—where nothing ever grows. Not a single blade of grass. No trees. No flowers. Just dirt. Locals call it The Devil’s Tramping Ground, and legend says that this is where Satan himself walks at night, pacing in circles while he contemplates how to corrupt mankind.
This eerie spot has drawn in campers, hikers, and skeptics for years, but many who spend the night there report terrifying experiences. People claim to wake up in the middle of the woods, miles away from their original campsite, with no memory of how they got there. Others have gone missing entirely, their belongings found intact while they’re never seen again.
Scientists have tried to explain the lifeless soil and bizarre occurrences, but nothing adds up. Some believe there’s an underground magnetic force affecting the area, while others think it’s just another piece of land best left alone. Whatever the case, if you’re planning to explore, don’t be surprised if you feel watched.
Other Relevant Information:
- Best Months to Visit: Never? But technically, Spring and Fall
- Difficulty Level: Easy, but mentally unnerving
- Biggest Danger: Strange disappearances, eerie hallucinations
- Restricted Access? No, but locals avoid it at night
9. Lake Superior’s Isle Royale, Michigan, USA – The Island That Consumes Its Visitors
Isle Royale is a remote, windswept island in Lake Superior, home to moose, wolves, and—strangely—an alarming number of vanished hikers. With no roads, no permanent residents, and no way to escape except by boat, this place is as isolated as it gets.
One of the strangest disappearances was that of Ralph Samuel, an experienced hiker who set out on a short solo trek in 2008. He never returned. His campsite was found untouched, his gear still packed, his food uneaten. Despite exhaustive searches, no trace of him was ever found—not even a bootprint. And he’s far from the only one.
Some say the disappearances are due to the rugged terrain and unpredictable weather, but others believe Isle Royale has an energy—a pull that swallows people whole. Could it be the spirits of the indigenous people who once lived here, or something even older lurking in the dense forests?
Other Relevant Information:
- Best Months to Visit: June to September
- Difficulty Level: Moderate to High (long trails, unpredictable weather)
- Biggest Danger: Getting lost, isolation, sudden weather changes
- Restricted Access? No, but access is extremely limited
10. Mile Marker 239, Alaska’s ‘Highway of Tears’ – A Road to Nowhere
Not every dangerous trail is deep in the wilderness—sometimes, it’s right in front of you. Mile Marker 239 is part of Alaska’s infamous ‘Highway of Tears’, a stretch of road where countless hikers, travelers, and even entire vehicles have vanished without a trace.
Unlike a dense forest or remote mountain range, this is a highway—so how do people just disappear? That’s the unsettling part. Hitchhikers are warned never to accept rides, and even those traveling in groups have vanished between gas stations. Some believe it’s the work of serial killers, others say the road itself is cursed.
The most terrifying thing? No bodies, no cars, no explanations. Just people… gone.
Other Relevant Information:
- Best Months to Visit: Never at night
- Difficulty Level: N/A (but very risky for travelers)
- Biggest Danger: Unsolved disappearances, possible criminal activity
- Restricted Access? No, but strongly advised against
