Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, so they say. With nature, however, beauty becomes a universal thing, which people from all walks of life can easily appreciate.
If you want to experience real, raw beauty in all its glory, you shouldn’t pass up a trip to any or all of the ten must-visit mountains in the world.
- Denali, Alaska
A tour to Denali deserves a spot in this list with its stunning views all around it. Standing at 20,320 feet above ground level, Denali’s peak is a sight to behold across Alaska’s skyline. Further below, at the base of the mountain, you’ll be mesmerized at how dramatically Denali elevates all the way up to the summit in clear, plain sight.
- Mount Fuji, Japan
Mount Fuji can be quite elusive in the sense that despite its 78-mile-wide base and 12,388-foot height, you won’t readily see Japan’s iconic mountain on a cloudy day. On a clear day, however, this cone-shaped wonder located at Honshu Island can be visible even from Tokyo.
Also called Fuji-san or Fujiyama, Mount Fuji is revered as a sacred mountain, so there’s no hashtag as fitting as #blessed if you’re sharing photos of your hike to Mount Fuji on your social media account.
A tip from the pros: It’s best to climb Mount Fuji during July and August. Start at nighttime and reach the peak around dawn.
- Canadian Rocky Mountains, Canada
The Canadian Rockies, as it’s called, spans no less than 50 peaks that exceed 11,000 feet in total. As if all the splendor of the Rockies is not enough, you’ll also be in awe of the serene-looking lakes surrounding the mountains. Even world-class photographer Ralph Wunsch couldn’t resist the charm of Moraine Lake, what with its natural beauty that’s totally Instagram worthy.
- Mt. Pulag, Philippines
This famed mountain from the Benguet province is full of superlatives. It’s the third highest peak in the Philippines, it’s the highest point in the whole of Luzon island, and it could arguably offer the most leisurely climb for beginner hikers and those who like to travel solo via the Ambangeg trail.
Trekkers unanimously describe the top of Mount Pulag as the “Playground of the Gods,” where the feeling is like you’re walking on a sea of clouds with the sun rising so close in perfect view.
- Table Mountain, South Africa
Despite its relatively low 3,563-foot height, this mountain overlooking Cape Town is renowned for its unique look comparable to a piece of table that’s fitting for gods, no less. The mountain got its name from Huri ‡oaxa, which comes from the Khoekhoe language, meaning “where the sun rises.” This adds more to the attractiveness of the Table Mountain, especially when you’re looking at the entire scenery from cable cars hanging on top of the mountain.
- Kirkjufell, Iceland
You might recognize the setting of the hit HBO show Game of Thrones, particularly the sixth and seventh seasons, as Kirkjufell, the arrowhead-shaped mountain located on the Snæfellsnes peninsula. There’s just an air of mystery that you’d want to explore at Kirkjufell – from its waterfall, Kirkjufellsfoss, to the picturesque sights around the peninsula. No wonder, Kirkjufell holds the distinction as the most photographed mountain in the whole of Iceland.
- The Matterhorn, Switzerland
You’ll find the Matterhorn on the border between Switzerland and Italy. At 15,000 feet, it easily looks like the most beautiful peak in the Swiss Alps mountain range. However, the climb to the Matterhorn is also one of the most dangerous. In fact, it has claimed the lives of about 500 mountain trekkers, including four of the seven members of the team who was the first to ascend to the top of the Matterhorn.
For an authentic experience of staying in an igloo village, there’s one located right at the base of the Matterhorn. It’s an igloo resort that houses a series of tunnels, leading to individual igloos or hotel rooms, a bar, and a restaurant.
The Matterhorn was also the first to run open-air cog railway, traveling between the Zermatt town and the base of the mountain.
- Ama Dablam, Nepal
The Himalayas is home to Ama Dablam, which means it lies within the range of Mount Everest, the highest mountain in our planet. It’s not to say, though, that Ama Damblam is something inferior in terms of beauty or elegance. On the contrary, Ama Damblam has quite a unique look to it. The mountain rocks appear to have contrasting and astonishing angles to them, especially when there’s snow capping the mountain peak.
The ridges of Ama Dablam also look like a mother’s outstretched arms, and inside them is a hanging glacier that’s comparable to a pendant hanging from a necklace. Incidentally, Ama Dablam translates into “mother’s necklace” in English.
- Mt. Kilimanjaro, Tanzania
The snowy peak of Kilimanjaro, called Kipoo, is the highest point in the African continent. At 19,000 feet, Kili is definitely for the bold and daring as it could take you 5 to 9 days to reach the summit. The view from the top makes it all worthwhile, of course.
- Vinicunca Mountain, Peru
In Peru, there’s a local language where Vinicunca means “seven-colored mountain.” That’s why Vinicunca is also aptly called the Rainbow Mountain. Mineral deposits on the mountain give color to Vinicunca, although there was a time when Vinicunca wasn’t really visible as a thick layer of ice would hide the mountain from your view.
Today, all that ice is gone, and what you’ll see are peaks lined with an eye-catching mix of hues – maroon, mustard yellow, and soft blue. The peak is quite steep, so if you’re up to the challenge, spending a few days in Cusco region where Vinicunca is located should suit you up for the high-altitude trek.
No doubt, a visit to these world-renowned mountains should be added to your bucket list. As you explore these natural wonders, you’ll realize how much beauty there is in the world, and it’s all just waiting for you.