Half Dome Vs Angels Landing: Showdown of America’s Scariest Hikes

This website contains affiliate links from trusted partners. If you purchase through a link on this site, I may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. See my Privacy Policy for more information.

So you’ve got a thing for danger. The kind of hiker who looks at a “Do Not Attempt If Afraid of Heights” sign and thinks, “Challenge accepted.”

Angels Landing vs Half Dome – two of the most legendary, fear-inducing hikes in the U.S.

They’ve got it all: sheer drop-offs, chain and cable climbs, brutal elevation gain, and views worth every ounce of sweat and terror.

But which one’s actually harder? Which one is more dangerous? And more importantly – which one belongs on your bucket list?

I hiked both within two weeks (alone 😳), and I’ve got the scars, summit photos, and sore quads to prove it.

This isn’t going to be some tiny comparison of the two! I’m diving head-first into two of the scariest hikes in America so that you can decide if one, both, or neither is right for your adventure bucket list!

Angels Landing vs Half Dome at a Glance

Before we dive into which one will make your knees shake more (literally and metaphorically), here’s a quick snapshot comparing Half Dome and Angels Landing. 

Whether you’re deciding based on distance, difficulty, or pure death-defying drama, this chart has your back:

Feature	Angels Landing	Half Dome
Location	Zion National Park, Utah	Yosemite National Park, California
Distance	~5.4 miles round trip	~14–16 miles round trip (although mine was 18 because of where I parked and the trails I took)
Elevation Gain	~1,500 ft	~4,800 ft
Time to Complete	3–6 hours	10–14 hours
Permit Required?	Yes (via seasonal or daily lottery)	Yes (via pre-season and daily lottery)
Chains or Cables?	Chains on the final ridge	Cables up the granite face
Most Notorious For	Exposed ridge with 1,000 ft drops	Steep cables and full-day endurance test
Full Guide	Full Angels Landing Guide	Full Half Dome Guide

Both hikes are iconic, bucket-list worthy, and not for the faint of heart – but they’re wildly different in length, logistics, and mental challenge.

If you’re wondering “Is Half Dome harder than Angels Landing?” or “Which hike is scarier?”, don’t worry – we’re about to break it all down.

Guided Hikes

If these hikes freak you out (and fair enough), I would recommend investing in a guided tour.

These take the stress off, handle the logistics/permits, and might save your life…

Which Hike is Physically Harder?

Let’s be real – neither of these hikes are a Sunday stroll.

But if you’re wondering whether Half Dome or Angels Landing will leave you crawling back to your car whispering “never again”… here’s the breakdown.

Angels Landing Difficulty: Short, Sharp, and Spicy

Don’t let the mileage fool you – Angels Landing is only 5.4 miles round trip, but it doesn’t waste time with pleasantries.

• Elevation Gain: About 1,500 feet, packed into a steep, relentless climb. It may be short, but it packs a punch!
• Walter’s Wiggles: Oh – let’s not forget this hiking nightmare fuel: a set of 21 tight switchbacks stacked like a twisted stair master sent from hell. They’re short but spicy, and they’ll have your thighs questioning your life choices before you even reach the chains.
• The Chains: The infamous chains are less “helpful handrails” and more “psychological support ropes” – stretched across a razor-thin ridge with thousand-foot drop-offs on one or both sides. One hand on the chain, one hand on your sanity.
• Deceptively Doable: The shorter length makes this hike seem more casual… but that just means more underprepared people attempt it, making it feel like a cardio obstacle course with human traffic jams.

Half Dome Difficulty: Endurance Mode Activated

Half Dome isn’t a hike – it’s a pilgrimage, especially if you are doing it in one day.

• Distance: 14 to 16+ miles round trip, depending on your starting point. That’s a half marathon…with stairs.
• Elevation Gain: Nearly 5,000 feet – which feels more like straight up than gradual.
• Sub Dome: Before you even see the cables, you’ve gotta conquer the Sub Dome – a steep, exposed, thigh-torching granite staircase that feels like nature’s way of asking, “Are you sure you want to do this?”
• The Final Boss: The infamous cables. The last 400 vertical feet are spent clinging to metal poles bolted into a granite slab.

By the time you reach those cables, you’re already exhausted, sun-fried, and questioning your life choices.

Your quads will cry. Your calves will curse. And you’ll still have hours of hiking to get back down.

I did Half Dome in one day as a solo female hiker. It was…intense…to say the least!

The Final Verdict: Is Angels Landing or Half Dome Harder?

🏆 Winner: Half Dome is the clear winner for a physical challenge!

From someone who did both in the same two weeks:

Angels Landing burns like a HIIT workout. Half Dome is a full-on endurance event. You’ll sweat buckets on both.

Half Dome takes the crown when it comes to sheer physical challenge: Longer. Higher. Harder. It’s basically a hike and a CrossFit class in one.

But don’t underestimate Angels Landing – the steepness and exposure come at you fast, and if you’re not prepared, it can be a rude (and risky) awakening.

Below is my full guide on Half Dome👇

Which Hike is Mentally Scarier?

Alright adrenaline junkies, this one’s for you. 

We’re not talking sore legs – we’re talking sweaty palms, dizzying heights, and the very real possibility of questioning your life choices while clinging to a chain.

So which hike gets deeper into your head? Let’s find out.

Angels Landing: Straight-Up Nerve Shredder

If you’ve ever wanted to experience the thrill of walking a balance beam 1,000 feet in the air with a conga line of strangers behind you… congratulations, Angels Landing is your moment to shine.

• Drop-Offs: One slip, and it’s you vs. gravity. Both sides. No room for error.
• That Ridge: Less of a trail, more of a tightrope with a chain.
• The Chain Section: Your calves might be fine — it’s your soul doing the heavy lifting.
• Human Traffic Jam: There’s nothing quite like standing on a 3-foot-wide ledge waiting for someone ahead to stop taking selfies.

This hike doesn’t just test your bravery – it tests your patience, balance, and ability to suppress a panic attack in public.

If heights aren’t your thing…they’re about to be. Or you’re turning around early. No shame.

Half Dome: Fear With a Side of Fatigue

Half Dome is more of a slow burn. It lulls you in with waterfalls and wooded trails before dropping a massive granite horror show in your lap at the end.

• The Cables: Oh hey, it’s basically vertical rock with two slippery metal lines and wooden planks “anchored” into granite. Spoiler alert: the cables and wooden planks are not 100% secure, they are wobbly (just like your stomach). 
• Weather Roulette: Rain? Cancel. Thunderstorms? You’re a human lightning rod.
• Mental Breakdown Timing: The fear hits after you’re already wiped out from hiking for hours.

By the time you reach the cables, your brain is fried and your legs are mush – which makes grabbing onto that cable system feel like signing a waiver with your last shred of energy.

Also: looking down while clinging to granite = instant vertigo party. You’ve been warned.

The Final Verdict: Is Half Dome or Angels Landing scarier?

🏆 Winner: Depends on the hiker

Let’s get one thing straight – both of these hikes should both star in their own hiking horror film.

Angels Landing is scarier for those afraid of heights. It’s constant exposure and zero forgiveness from the moment the chains begin.

But Half Dome feels more intense overall – not because it’s sketchier, but because it throws the fear at you when you’re the most physically and mentally depleted.

An interesting observation on Scare Factor

However, after successfully completing both and chatting with other hikers, I found this very interesting…

Angels Landing looks like a death wish in photos – steep cliffs, skinny ridges, and people hanging onto chains like it’s the last scene of a movie.

But when you’re actually on the trail? You somehow get into this adrenaline-fueled “zone” where it feels manageable.

It’s intense, yes, but often not as soul-shaking as the photos make it seem.

Half Dome is the opposite – Online, it looks like a chill granite stroll with some bonus cables at the end.

But when you’re standing at the base of that summit, staring up at what looks like a vertical slip-and-slide from Mordor… it’s a full body “OH, HELL NO” moment.

Trust me – Half Dome is way scarier in real life than it looks in your browser.

Below is my vlog about Angels Landing 👇

Angels Landing Vs Half Dome: Which Hike is More Dangerous?

Okay, let’s rip the Band-Aid off – both hikes have a body count.

They’re not Disneyland attractions (though, ironically, the lines can be just as long).

But if you’re here wondering which one is actually more dangerous, let’s break it down.

Angels Landing Danger Level

• 18+ reported deaths.
• The danger comes fast and hard – that exposed, narrow ridge with 1,000+ ft drop-offs is no joke.
• Add in crowds, bad shoes, selfie culture, and people who shouldn’t be on this hike? Recipe for disaster.
• The chain section looks terrifying, and in spots, it is. Especially when you’re shoulder-to-shoulder with strangers playing tug-of-war with the same handhold.

What saves it?

It’s shorter, and if you’re in decent shape and take it slow, it’s very doable. The fear is mostly psychological…unless you act recklessly.

Half Dome Danger Level

• About 25+ fatalities have been reported, and that’s just the documented ones.
• The cable section is longer, steeper, and honestly more taxing – especially since you hit it after hiking for 8+ miles and climbing 4,800+ feet.
• Throw in weather (you are literally a lightning magnet), slippery granite, and full-day exhaustion, and the danger gets sneaky.
• People have died from falls, dehydration, and lightning strikes – the triple threat of mountain doom.

What makes it deadly?

Fatigue. Overconfidence. Weather. You don’t realize how spent you are until you’re clinging to cables, questioning every decision that led you here.

My Honest Take (Having Done Both)

Angels Landing was mentally intense, but I could have done it without the chains in a pinch. The exposure gets your heart pounding, but you’re in and out pretty quickly.

Half Dome? I was in full-blown “WHAT HAVE I DONE” mode the entire cable section and the majority of sub dome. It’s not for the weak.

The danger snuck up on me because the trail looked fine in photos…until you’re there and it’s 10x scarier in person.

So… Which is Actually More Dangerous?

Hike	Type of Danger	Risk Level
Angels Landing	Sudden exposure, crowds, fall risk	😱 Visibly terrifying, but short
Half Dome	Fatigue + cables + weather	😬 Longer, more variables = more deadly

🏆 Winner: Half Dome

Although Angels Landing doesn’t have room for error, it is doable if you take your time and don’t do anything reckless.

Half Dome was a completely different story. I cannot believe there are not more accidents. That hike is a dangerous beast in a variety of ways. It demands respect and earns it!

Cables vs Chains: The Truth Nobody Tells You

Let’s be real – these are the sections that made Angels Landing and Half Dome famous. They are both epic in different ways.

Both hikes are tough, sure. But it’s the chains and cables that turn them from “challenging” into “legendary” – and, frankly, dangerous.

So how do they actually compare?

Angels Landing Chains: Optional…ish

The chain section of Angels Landing is what most people fear…and it’s not overhyped. 

You’re walking along a knife-edge ridge with thousand-foot drop-offs on both sides, clinging to a chain bolted into the rock as crowds squeeze past you.

But here’s the thing:

I realized the chains felt more optional than essential. With decent balance and nerves of steel, I probably could’ve done the ridge without grabbing them at all (not that I recommend that…).

Yes, there were a few “wait, they want me to go up THERE?!” moments. 

Yes, the exposure was intense. But the trail has natural footholds, and if you take your time, it’s mentally scary, not technically impossible.

Overall, I thought it was more of a mental challenge than a physical one, and I thought that the way down was harder than the way up.

However, with some solid communication and deep breathing? It’s totally doable. 

Half Dome Cables: Full Panic Mode

Now let’s talk about Half Dome’s cables – a 400-foot vertical granite slab at the very end of a brutal ascent. 

To make it worse, this is right after the sub dome ascent (the rocky stair-master brought to you by Satan himself), which rangers warned me about almost as much as the cables.

The cables themselves have no switchbacks. No trail. Just two metal cables you hold onto for dear life while dragging your body straight up a rock face.

This wasn’t a “use if you need them” situation. I clung to those cables like my life depended on it – because it absolutely did. 

There’s no way I could’ve made that climb without them.

You’re tired. The granite is slippery. If someone freezes ahead of you, you’re stuck. There are wooden planks spaced every few feet to help you rest…but they also remind you how vertical this thing really is.

And again…the entire thing isn’t exactly stable. The poles and wood move around.

Going Up Vs Going Down

Way Up: Ultimate physical challenge. I was out of breath and sweating the entire time. This is the moment where you find out if you trained hard enough.

Way Down: Ultimate mental challenge. It’s a butt-clencher for sure. The lady below me had a panic attack and there were a few moments where I just had to be still and breathe.

I’m glad I did it, but it was one of the hardest things I’ve done on a hike. 

I would actually argue that they should require everyone to wear a via ferrata harness and lanyard. I look back on it and think, “I’m lucky because that was very reckless.”

My Take on Both

• Angels Landing: Sudden bursts of “Oh hell no.”
• Half Dome: Constant “Oh no oh no oh no oh no.”

If you’re afraid of heights, Angels Landing looks scarier – but in my experience, Half Dome felt scarier. 

Overall, everyone I talked to made it up Angels Landing, with a few turning back half way.

With Half Dome, I ran into several people that freaked out so much that they didn’t even attempt the cables…and that’s okay. It wasn’t a question of what you thought about the summit, it was if you made it up there at all.

Which Hike Has Better Views?

Okay, so you survived the cardio, conquered the chains and cables, and now you want your “I almost died for this photo” moment.

But which hike serves the better backdrop?

Here’s how they stack up:

Angels Landing Views

Angels Landing delivers that classic desert canyon magic that Zion is famous for – and it doesn’t waste any time.

• You’re rewarded with jaw-dropping views almost the entire way up.
• The final ridge gives you 360° exposure, with cliffs dropping away on both sides.
• The red rock glows like fire at sunrise and golden hour – making it a dream for photographers and thrill-seekers.
• And that final viewpoint? You’re basically floating above the canyon.

It’s dramatic…it’s vertical…it’s “my mom would pass out if she saw me here” kind of stunning.

Half Dome Views

Half Dome plays the long game.

The hike starts in the forest, weaves past Vernal and Nevada Falls, and gradually climbs through changing landscapes — until BOOM — you’re standing on top of a granite monolith with the entire Yosemite Valley at your feet.

It’s a view of Yosemite that few are lucky enough to see!

• The summit view is unreal – you can see clouds, cliffs, rivers, domes, and distant peaks in every direction.
• The sense of scale is incomprehensible. You feel small in the best way.
• And the view isn’t just pretty – it feels earned. You worked for this.

💡Pro tip: You’ll probably cry a little, from either joy, exhaustion, or both. Let it happen.

The Final Verdict: Is Half Dome or Angels Landing prettier?

🏆 Winner: It’s honestly a TIE, and it depends on your vibe:

• Want bold, punchy, dramatic desert views with a hint of “did I just walk through Mars?” → Go Angels Landing.
• Craving grand, sweeping alpine glory that feels like a scene from The Lord of the Rings → Half Dome’s your winner.

Either way? Your camera roll’s gonna be 🔥.

Logistics: Permits, Planning & Prep

Both Angels Landing and Half Dome come with their own brand of logistical headaches – because nothing says “epic hike” like needing a permit to play.

Permits

I am not going to sugar coat it – both of these are an absolute PAIN and extremely hard to get! 

However, after completing both hikes I can see why. If there are crowds on those cables or chains, it becomes a giant, stressful, death trap.

Angels Landing Permits

Zion uses a seasonal lottery permit system that’s fairly straightforward.

You enter, you wait, and if the hiking gods smile on you, you get your golden ticket.

Planning ahead is key, but once you snag it, you can set your sights on the trail without sweating the logistics too much.

Or, you can try your luck for the daily lottery. However, these are a nightmare to get.

You can pick which time of day to hike and although it is harder to get, I would still try and pick a morning time slot.

I applied 4 times for the daily lottery in fall and was successful on my fifth time. I ran into a hiker who got it on her first try! It’s just luck…

Get the Angels Landing permits here and if you really don’t want to deal with permits, I would hire a guide.

You can see full permit information in my Angels Landing Guide.

Half Dome Permits

The permit lottery here is much tougher to crack, especially if you’re backpacking overnight (which many do).

It’s competitive and requires serious planning. So if you want to bag Half Dome in your adventure diary, you better get that calendar out early.

I managed to snag a permit on my third try on the daily lottery!

Get the Half Dome permits here or hire a guide.

You can see full permit information in my Half Dome Guide.

Gear & Prep for These Dangerous Hikes

Angels Landing Packing List

Angels Landing is intense but shorter – prep accordingly.

• Plenty of water (at least 2 liters, more if it’s hot)
• Good hiking shoes with grip (no flip-flops, please)
• Light snacks for energy boosts
• Sunscreen and hat (shade is basically nonexistent)
• Optional: Gloves for the chain section if your hands get sweaty
• Sturdy nerves and patience for crowds

Training for Angels Landing

You don’t need to be a mountain goat to tackle Angels Landing, but a little prep goes a long way.

• A couple weeks on the stair master or any steep cardio workout, ideally at altitude if you can swing it, will get your legs ready for those pesky Walter’s Wiggles.
• For the chains and exposure? Do a few hikes that include some scrambling – think Class 2 or 3 terrain — so you’re comfortable using your hands on rocky sections. This will build the confidence and muscle memory you need to cruise the ridge without panicking.

Half Dome Packing List

Half Dome is no joke, and packing like it’s a day hike is a rookie mistake. 

• At least 4 liters of water (hydration is survival here)
• High-quality, broken-in hiking boots (this is a marathon, not a sprint)
• Gloves specifically for the cables – trust me, your hands will thank you
• Highly consider buying/renting a via ferrata harness and lanyard for the cables
• Sunscreen and a hat
• Layers for temperature changes (it gets cold at the top!)
• Energy-dense snacks and possibly a packed lunch
• Headlamp or flashlight (if you’re starting early or ending late)
• Emergency kit (first aid, whistle, etc.)
• Permit in hand (don’t be that person)
• Stamina, grit, and an unshakable will to conquer

Training for Half Dome

This is a whole different beast. If Angels Landing is sprint training, Half Dome is your endurance marathon.

• Endurance is king: Spend several weeks building up your cardio with long hikes that push your distance and elevation gain. Aim for 10+ mile hikes with at least 3,000 feet of climbing to simulate the real thing.
• Strength matters: Leg strength and core stability will keep you upright on the long haul and that killer final cable ascent. Step-ups, lunges, and core work are your friends.
• Cable prep: If possible, find a local climbing gym or outdoor scramble to practice upper-body grip and balance. Those cables demand serious arm and hand strength – your grip will be tested like never before.

Who Should Hike Angels Landing or Half Dome?

Not every hike is for every hiker. So who should tackle Angels Landing? Who’s built for the beast that is Half Dome?

Adrenaline Junkie with Limited Time → Angels Landing

You live for heart-racing, nerve-shredding moments but don’t have all day to spare.

You want intense, fast, and photo-worthy danger wrapped into one neat 5.4-mile package.

You’re cool with crowds and can handle a little tightrope walking (with chains).

Endurance Beast with a Bucket List → Half Dome

You’re the type who signs up for marathons just for fun and has a hiking resume longer than your grocery list.

You want a full-day epic adventure that tests your limits, stamina, and mental grit.

The longer distance, massive elevation, and technical final cable climb? Yeah, that’s your kind of party. You’re ready to earn every inch of that panoramic summit view.

Acrophobic but Fit → Maybe Neither (or Prep HARD)

If heights make your stomach do somersaults, even if your legs are strong, you’re facing a serious mental challenge here.

Both hikes will test your nerve, but Angels Landing’s exposed ridge might haunt your dreams more.

Maybe skip these for now… or start training your brain and body hard before you even try.

If you are fit and want a challenge without the heights, I would honestly check out doing the Rim to Rim trail in the Grand Canyon!

I did that about a week after Angels Landing and was tested to the max…without the fear of falling off of a cliff.

Newer Hikers with Ambition → Start with Angels Landing (But Don’t Underestimate It!)

You’re ready to graduate from beginner hikes and want to tick a legendary trail off your list. 

Angels Landing’s shorter distance makes it more approachable, but don’t let that fool you – it’s steep, exposed, and not a walk in the park.

Photography on Angels Landing and Half Dome

Confession time: on these hikes, I didn’t bring my full camera kit. 

Yep, I went minimal – just my phone for most of the trail and an Insta360 to capture those heart-pounding moments on the chains and cables.

Why? Because lugging a DSLR or big mirrorless setup up steep switchbacks and vertical granite is a fast track to exhaustion (and possibly a dropped lens in a canyon).

Here’s what worked for me as a solo female hiker:

• Phone camera: Modern phones shoot incredible photos and videos. They’re light, easy to pull out quickly, and perfect for scenic shots on the move.
• Portable charger: Hiking + filming = battery drain. Bring a compact power bank to keep your devices juiced.
• Extra batteries: For any gear you do bring – especially action cams or mirrorless setups – don’t rely on one battery to get you through.
• No photo buddy? No problem! I hiked solo and still got killer shots. Use timers, selfie sticks, or just embrace candid moments. Sometimes the best photos come from being fully present.

If you bring ONE thing, I would highly recommend bringing an Insta360…seriously, this gave me some EPIC, drone-like shots and minimized the danger/awkwardness of asking another hiker for a mid-level photo.

💡 Safety Tip: Be mindful of the trail and other hikers – especially in tight spots like the chains on Angels Landing or cables on Half Dome. 

Safety first! Slow down, compose your shot, and don’t get distracted when your life is on the line.

In the end, whether you’re snapping with a phone or shooting pro gear, these hikes reward presence as much as pixels.

Read More – Photography and Videography Gear for Adventurers

The Final Verdict – Is Angels Landing Or Half Dome Right for You?

You’ve got the facts, the feels, and a peek into my sweaty, shaky adventures on both trails. 

Now it’s time to break it down, weigh the pros and cons, and help you pick your next “I can’t believe I survived that” hike.

Angels Landing

✅ Shorter: Quick in, quick out – perfect if you’re tight on time or just want the thrill without the all-day grind.
✅ Super scenic: The red rock canyon views are chef’s kiss.
❌ High traffic: You’ll be sharing that skinny ridge with half the internet during peak season.
❌ Narrow + exposed: It’s a skinny knife-edge walk that makes you question your life choices at least once.

Half Dome

✅ Epic challenge: It’s a beast, and you’ll feel like a superhero for conquering it.
✅ Diverse terrain + views: Forest, waterfalls, granite slabs – a full sensory overload.
❌ Physically demanding: This one eats calves for breakfast and leaves you crawling.
❌ Weather-sensitive: Lightning storms love to crash this party. No fun.

My Two Cents

If I had to pick a favorite (and I’m not biased at all, promise), Half Dome wins my heart for the pure, unfiltered challenge and those jaw-dropping summit views that make every step worth it.

I literally felt like I was on top of the world and it was a massive physical and mental achievement!

But Angels Landing? It’s a hell of a ride packed into a shorter package – perfect when you want your adrenaline quick and your hiking less “death march.”

So…pick your poison, lace up those boots, and get out there. Just don’t blame me when your legs scream for days.

Final Thoughts: Angels Landing Vs Half Dome

Whether you’re clinging to cables on Half Dome or gripping chains on Angels Landing, one thing’s for sure – you’re in for a bucket list-worthy ride.

Both hikes are infamous for a reason: unbelievable views, edge-of-death thrills, and stories you’ll be telling for years.

Half Dome is a full-day, soul-testing grind with a mega payoff. Angels Landing is a shorter, spicier scramble that’ll have your knees knocking and your camera roll flooding with red rock drama.

So…Angels Landing vs Half Dome? There’s no wrong answer. Just your answer.

Show Me Your Adventures!

Did you hike one of them? Or BOTH? I wanna see it!

➡️ Tag me in your photos or send your story my way – I love hearing your trail tales, near-death giggles, and seeing your sweaty summit selfies.

You can message me anytime or share in my Facebook group “Shutterbugs Gone Wild” – it’s a judgment-free zone for fellow adventurers and photo lovers.

Let’s keep checking off that bucket list – one epic step (and snap) at a time. 🏞️✨

More Adventure Resources