25 Most Dangerous Routes to School (26 Photos)

To the delight (or dismay) of millions, a new school year has begun around the world. But in some places, getting an education is an impossible luxury. Many children must brave treacherous and unthinkable journeys just to get to class—an opportunity that so many of us take for granted.

We are truly amazed by the sheer determination and courage of these students who risk so much in pursuit of knowledge.







A 5-hour trek along a narrow cliffside path to the world's most remote school. Gulu, China









Climbing unsecured wooden ladders up a cliff face. Southern China





Trekking through the Himalayas to a boarding school. Zanskar, India



Crossing a damaged suspension bridge. Lebak, Indonesia





Ziplining along an 800-meter steel cable high over the Rio Negro River. Colombia





Paddling to school in a canoe. Riau, Indonesia



Crossing a forest river via a living tree-root bridge. India



Riding a water buffalo to school. Myanmar



Squeezing onto an auto-rickshaw for the commute to school. Beldanga, India



Navigating a broken bridge during a blizzard. Sichuan, China



Riding a wooden boat to school. Pangururan, Indonesia



Walking along a narrow beam atop 16th-century fortress walls. Galle Fort, Sri Lanka



Taking a boat to school. Kerala, India



Heading home from school packed onto an auto-rickshaw. Delhi, India



Crossing a river on a homemade bamboo raft. Indonesia



A 200-kilometer trek through the mountains to a boarding school. Pili, China



Tightrope-walking across a river 10 meters in the air. Sumatra, Indonesia





Crossing a river on inflated tire inner tubes. Rizal, Philippines