Not only are they amongst the prettiest landscapes you will find on this planet, but they are also some of the most exciting landscapes to explore. In addition to having some of the most epic hiking trails and climbing routes in the world, mountain destinations also have some of the most amazing wildlife to view.
As a travel enthusiast and mountain lover, I have spent quite a bit of time researching and visiting some of this world’s most amazing mountain travel destinations. Some truly spectacular mountain destinations all over the world are just waiting for you to get out and explore them.
Whether you are looking to conquer the slopes of Denali in Alaska’s Denali National Park, trek to the top of Africa’s highest peak at Mount Kilimanjaro, or explore some of the highest mountains in the world in the Himalayas, there is a seemingly endless supply of mountain adventures out there waiting to be had.
1. Table Mountain
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Widely considered to be one of the top tourist attractions near Cape Town, South Africa, Table Mountain is also one of the most unique-looking mountains that you will find at any destination on this list of mountain travel destinations. Its flat top is very distinct, which is why it was given the name “Table Mountain”. While the highest point of the mountain is only a meager 3,564 feet (1,086 meters), it can be a fun and challenging climb.
If you are interested in climbing to the top, there are various routes that you can choose from and each takes roughly 3 hours of hiking to get to the top. If you aren’t up for the challenge of getting to the top on your own, the Table Mountain Aerial Cableway can bring you to the top for just a small fee. One of the most unique animals that you will see near the top of Table Mountain is the Dassie. It’s a very unique creature whose closest relative is the elephant, though it looks a lot more like a large rat.
2. The Pyrenees
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Stretching roughly 305 miles (491 kilometers) on the border between France and Spain, the Pyrenees mountain range is characterized by an absence of the great lakes that you often see in the lateral valleys of the Alps in North and Central Europe. Despite not having the large, alpine lakes and the large ski resorts, the Pyrenees are incredibly beautiful and very culturally diverse. In the Western Pyrenees, you will find the Basque culture and its amazing cuisine to explore in the evenings after a long day of exploration and hiking in the mountains.
Not to be outdone, in the Eastern Pyrenees, the Catalan culture and its amazing seafood and cultural traditions are unique. While the highest peak in the Pyrenees, Aneto Peak in Spain isn’t as high as the tallest peaks you will find in the Alps, its 11,169 feet high (3,404 meters) peak is still a challenge to reach. If you are an experienced backpacker, it is possible to hike the length of the Pyrenees along the GR10 from the Atlantic to the Mediterranean. Along the way, you will enjoy seeing beautiful 10,000-plus feet (3,000-plus meters) high peaks, dense forests, and amazing wildlife.
3. Vinicunca
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The first of the mountain travel destinations in South America on my list may also be one of the most unique and beautiful destinations on my list as well. While the area around Cusco is most famous for being the gateway to spectacular Incan ruins at Machu Picchu, the city is also the gateway to other destinations further up into the Andes Mountains. One of the more popular destinations at higher altitudes in the Andes is Vinicunca, which is otherwise known as the Rainbow Mountain.
Vinicunca, in the local Quechua language of the Peruvian Andes, means “colorful necklace”. However, it is also referred to locally as “Montaña de Siete Colores”, which means “mountain of seven colors”. The pink dirt is created by red clay, the whitish dirt from quartz, the yellowish dirt is actually sandstone and limestone-rich sulfurous minerals, and the turquoise color comes from phyllite compounds and clays rich in iron-magnesium.
Together, these differing soils create one of the most unique and beautiful mountaintops you will find anywhere in the world. The best time to view the mountain is between April and October, which is the dry season in Peru and the weather is most predictable. If you decide to visit, make sure you are prepared for the altitude as the mountaintop sits at 17,060 feet (or 5,199 meters).
4. Grand Teton National Park
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There are some stunningly beautiful spots in the American Rocky Mountains to visit, but my favorite of these spots in the continental United States is undoubtedly Grand Teton National Park. Established in 1929 and then again in 1950, the 96,000-acre Grand Teton National Park encompasses almost the entire Teton Mountain Range and six large glacial lakes. Eight peaks within the park rise to over 12,000 feet (3,656 meters), with the highest peak being the Grand Teton (13,770 feet or 4,197 meters).
In addition to having some of the best hiking trails in the US National Park System, the Grand Teton National Park is also a great place to spot wildlife. Along with its neighboring sister park, Yellowstone, the Grand Teton National Park is a great place to spot the likes of moose, American bison, pronghorn antelope, Roosevelt elk, grizzly bear, black bear, grey wolves, and even bighorn sheep. For more information on how to visit the Grand Teton National Park, please refer to my Yellowstone and Grand Teton Visitor Guide linked below.
5. Tiger’s Nest
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According to legend, Guru Rinpoche arrived in Bhutan on the back of a flying tigress. While he visited several caves and cliffsides to meditate, he spent the majority of his time on the mountainside above the Paro Valley. A monastery was eventually built on this spot and is now known as Paro Taktsang or Tiger’s Nest. The monastery sits roughly 3,000 feet (915 meters) above the valley floor and 10,000 feet (3,048 meters) above sea level. Without any doubt, it is one of the premier mountain travel destinations in the world.
If you want to hike up to the monastery you can, but the hike is very steep. There are several different paths that you can take when you hike and the most popular of which takes you through a pine forest and past a collection of prayer flags. No matter which path you choose, it is guaranteed to be an adventure you will remember.
If you visit in April, the Tsechu festival is held in the Paro Valley below. The festival honors and remembers Guru Rinpoche and is marked by festive dancing all throughout the valley. Visiting during the festival is a great way to see ancient Buddhist traditions performed in one of this world’s most beautiful and iconic settings.
6. Grindelwald
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The city of Grindelwald, or the “glacier village” as it is known locally, is one of the oldest resort towns in the Jungfrau region of Switzerland and one of the best places to visit to see the Swiss Alps in all of their glory. The area is home to many 13,000+ feet (or 4,000+ meters) peaks, including the Eiger and Jungfrau mountains. Being in the middle of so many large peaks means that Grindelwald is one of the best places in the Swiss Alps to do some alpine skiing and hiking.
Grindelwald is a Mountaineering Hot Spot
It is also one of the most popular places in all of Europe for mountaineering, which is why alpine climbers flock to Grindelwald each year to test their mettle on the area’s mountains. Even if you aren’t an alpine climber or skier, the area’s beautiful mountain scenery, traditional cog railways, and fantastic food make Grindelwald one of the top mountain travel destinations and a great tourist destination for mountain lovers of all kinds. Not to mention, because it is in such close proximity to the cities of Interlaken and Lauterbrunnen, you can spend weeks touring and eating your way through these beautiful valleys.
7. The Dolomites
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Although they make up just a small portion of the Alps mountain range in Europe, the Dolomites of Northern Italy are some of the most beautiful and spectacular mountains you will find there. They aren’t the tallest mountains you will find on the continent, as the tallest peak in the Dolomites is only about 11,000 feet (or 3,350 meters) tall, but their craggy look and rich landscape make them one of the best mountain travel destinations in Europe to explore.
Whether you are looking to hike, climb, ski, or participate in one of the area’s many adventure activities (such as base jumping, paragliding, hang gliding, and heli-skiing), there is something to entertain every type of outdoor enthusiast. Even if you aren’t interested in any wild adventures, there are plenty of cross-country ski and hiking trails to keep even the most laid-back of travelers busy.
If you are looking for recommendations on where to go and what to do, I would strongly recommend looking into the Via Ferrata Routes. These old WWI routes that used to have wooden steps and ropes to guide you along the mountain routes have been updated to include steel rungs and ladders.
If you have hiked in Acadia National Park in the United States, they are a lot like what you see on the Precipice and Beehive Trails in that park. If you aren’t interested in a challenging hike\climb but still want to see some amazing scenery, I would recommend checking out the Tre Cime di Lavaredo. Here you will find an easy 2-hour loop hike that offers some of the most spectacular views of the Dolomites.
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