The most impresive stairways in the world

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If you’ve ever complained having to climb to the top of a four story building when the elevator was broken, then you’re definitely not going to like what I’m about to write about next. Actually, I can think of few people who would like to climb these beauties every day. Here are any lazy person’s nightmare: the five longest, steepest, meanest stairways int the world.

All jokes aside, these stairways are quite impressive in their own right, and most of the time they lead to something quite spectacular. We will disregard the longest stairway in the world (the employee only service stairs of the Niesenbahn funicular in Switzerland), but here are the next longest stairways that you can climb.

Official Mountain Stairway, Mount Tai, China

Mount Tai is quite impressive, and the Emperor Jade Peak has some very interesting rock formations such as the Heaven Candle Peak, Fan Cliff or the Rear Rock Basin. The mountain has a great cultural significance, considering the 22 temples, 97 ruins, 819 stone tablets, and 1,018 cliff-side and stone inscriptions located on it.

The 7,200 step stairway leading up to the top of the East Peak (6,293 of which are Official Mountain Walkway Steps) is one of the most interesting sights on the mountain. It can take up to six hours to climb the  steps (but you can also take the bus to the top).

Hai’ku Stairs, Oahu, Hawaii

Also known as the Stairway to Heaven, this hiking trail on Oahu island is just as scenic as it seems scary. The stairway contains some 4000 steps climbing for half a mile. The staitway was originally built ot provide access to the radio antannas located at the top of Hai’ku valley, but they became popular with hikers instead.

Unfortunately, the stairway is closed to the public for the moment, but rumors say that it will open as soon as access and management issues are dealt with. Don’t ignore the no trespassing sign, because the stairway is patrolled, but add it to your list of things to visit.

CN Tower, Toronto

The CN Tower is the tallest freestanding structure in the western hemisphere, so it’s no surprise that is is home to the tallest stairway in the world. You have to climb 1,776 stairs in order to reach the main deck, a mere fluke after climbing Mount Tai, for example. The positive side is that you can quit climbing anytime and simply take the elevator is you’re tired.

Potemkin Stairs, Odessa, Ukraine

Odessa is quite a sight to see, and one of the most notable landmarks of the city are the Potemkin Stairs. The stairs are not only quite long (142 metres), but they seem even longer due to the optical illusion which made the stairs famous. At the top of the stairway, you can only see the landings but no stairs, and at the bottom of the stairway you can only see the steps but not the landings.

So when you start climbing, it seems like you’ll have to go on forever, but once you arrive to the top, it will seem like you’ve only walked up a story or two.

Florli Stairs, Lysefjorden, Norway

The Florli Stairs has 4,444 steps, and it is the longest wooden stairway in the world. The stairway climbs from sea level to 740 metres, and it used to be a maintenance access way to the Florli hydro plant. Although the plant is closed down, the stairs are available to hikers who are not afraid of heights and seemingly shabby stairs.

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