The Thousands-Step Haiku Stairs Was Genuinely Terrifying When It Still Existed

A flight of stairs sounds cool but the tons of grottos in different American and European cultural heritage sites and cities make stairs kind of overused. But across America is one set of stairs -- which a storm had recently washed away -- that was truly terrifying the local government considered it illegal. The flight of stairs downward does not feature ghost stories or other apparitions -- only a death-defying set of steps to a secret lair.

According to Huffington Post, the Hawaii-based "Haiku Stairs" situated itself on top of mountain ridges and only had outlines of metal barriers to protect hikers from falling into the deep chasms with enchanting views. The risk of great altophobia -- or inducement thereof -- is likely possible here. Huffington Post said police fined guides and travelers caught walking the illegal tourist spot with an amount around $600.

The Haiku Stairs were established during the Second World War and until the time a typhoon damaged the stairs, it was still government property, which explains the $600 trespassing fine. According to Asia One Travel, it was a Navy Research facility during the war and the US Coast Guard transformed it as a modern navigation facility for marine vessels in the area during the 70s to the late 80s. No ghosts here, but the terrifying threat of a free fall is always present.

Asia One Travel reports that before the storm hit and damaged the stairs, travelers lucky enough to witness it once in their lives spoke of an amazing sunrise creeping from the side of mountains. Before the storm, a group called "The Friends Of Haiku Stairs" intended to repair and open the trail for the public legally. Should their endeavor have pushed through, travelers can pay $100 to enter the stairs.

The state of the stair's disarray after the storm had dislodged the light metal barriers and some steps, making the trail more treacherous. Further investigation by Huffington Post reveals the local Hawaiian government is currently looking for sponsors to manage the trail or have it removed completely.