El Camino Del Diablo, historic road in Pima and Yuma counties in Arizona, United States
El Camino Del Diablo is a long-distance trail stretching roughly 140 kilometers across the Yuma Desert, connecting several historic routes. The path winds through extreme terrain with sand, rock, and sparse vegetation, where some sections are barely marked and cross flat ground with few landmarks.
The trail served as a trade route between Spanish California and Arizona from the 17th century and was used by soldiers, settlers, and gold seekers during the 18th and 19th centuries. The name reflects the dangers travelers faced from extreme heat, scarce water, and harsh desert conditions.
The trail is accessible only with experienced navigation and thorough preparation, as there is minimal infrastructure and limited water sources. Visitors should expect extreme temperatures, require full equipment, carry adequate water, and need detailed terrain knowledge depending on the season.
The route was once considered one of the most dangerous paths in North America and also served as an escape route for settlers during early European expansion. Attentive hikers can still find traces of old rest stops, abandoned water sources, and other remnants from this turbulent past.
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