Witness 2 Billion Years of Tectonic Shifts
Even if you’re not a hiker, no one can dispute the beauty of a mountain range. They’re a focal point for artists, poets, and photographers throughout history, and it makes perfect sense that we’ve made it our mission to get to the top. Even if you have a fear of heights, you can still enjoy the inspiring scene these mountains create.
1. Cotopaxi
Located in Ecuador, Cotopaxi is one of the highest active volcanoes in the world. You can find Cotopaxi in the Andes Mountains, and it sits tall with its siblings around the Pacific Ring of Fire. The mountain boasts a height of 12,470 feet, and you can complete a hike to its summit in six or seven hours.
2. Denali/Mount McKinley
This Alaskan mountain is the highest mountain peak in North America, standing at a whopping 20,310 feet. Surrounded by Alaskan wilderness, you will get a crystal clear view of one of the most stunning scenes in the great white north.
3. Mount Fuji
Located on Honshu, Japan, Mount Fuji is the second-highest island volcano in Asia, and Japan’s highest peak. Fuji is 12,388 feet tall, and has been listed as a UNESCO Cultural Site since 2013. If you’d prefer to just look at the mountain instead of climb it, you can see its snowy peaks all the way from Tokyo.
4. Matterhorn
This mountain is for the left-brainers. Standing at 14,962 feet, the Swiss Matterhorn features a near-symmetric pyramidal peak. But don’t be fooled by its beauty, the Matterhorn has claimed the lives of over 500 alpinists since the first climb attempt in 1865.
5. Mount Kilimanjaro
Kilimanjaro has two accolades under its belt. Standing tall at 16,100 feet, this mountain is the highest in Africa, and the highest free-standing mountain above sea level worldwide. Luckily, the volcano inside this mountain is dormant, and those interested in visiting Kilimanjaro National Park can hike to their heart’s content.
6. Huayna Picchu
At 8,835 feet tall, Huayna Picchu’s history is deeply rooted in its neighbor, the “Lost City” of Machu Picchu. The Incas used the mountain as a worshipping space, with temples and residences being constructed all the way to its peak.
José Ignacio Pompé on Unsplash
7. Mount Rainier
This Washington staple sits at 14,410 feet above sea level. While an active volcano, Mount Rainier is considered the most glaciated peak in the USA. Interested parties can schedule a time to hike the mountain, or camp at the national park and enjoy the view.
Intricate Explorer on Unsplash
8. Reinebringen Mountain
Located in Norway, above the Arctic Circle, Reinebringen is unlike any other. The mountain hike is steep, but at only 1,470 feet it can feel less tumultuous than other mountains on this list. The summit offers panoramic views of the nearby fjord and the Norwegian Sea. You can book seaside houses next to the mountain year-round, and may even be able to see the aurora borealis.
9. Aoraki/Mount Cook
Feeling like a visit to Down Under? Or we guess, up top? New Zealand’s Mount Cook lets you do both. The mountain sits at 12,218 feet tall, and is framed perfectly by the gentler slopes of the Hooker Valley. It's said you can see the mountain from over 93 miles away on a clear day.
10. Mount Toubkal
Located in Morocco, Mount Toubkal is over 13,000 feet tall and is the perfect mountain for skiing. The hike is not as intense as some of the other mountains on this list, but it still provides a picturesque view of the surrounding area.
11. Mount Kirkjufell
Do you want to know what the Arrowhead Mountain from Game of Thrones looks like on a regular day? Well, you can! This Icelandic mountain is not very tall, only 1,519 feet, but is a great option for those preferring to do a more relaxing hike.
12. Machapuchare
Nepal’s Machapuchare, or “Fishtail Mountain,” is a 22,942 foot tall mountain in the Himalayan mountain range. Unfortunately, the highest peak of this mountain is not accessible to the public, and there are no official records of anyone making it to the top. The mountain has a striking, near-vertical slope, however, making it worthwhile to see from the ground.
13. Lion’s Head Mountain
Compared to its sibling, Kilimanjaro, Lion’s Head is a cake walk. Sitting at 2,195 feet above sea level, you can visit the Lion during your stay in Cape Town, South Africa. The walk to its peak takes about an hour, and a popular time to go is during the full moon.
14. Mount Assiniboine
One of the many mountains to see in the Canadian Rockies, Mount Assiniboine borders British Columbia and Alberta. Standing at 11,870 feet, Assiniboine also features a pyramidal shape, similar to that of the Matterhorn. Visitors can enjoy backcountry hiking through this mountain range, but make sure to prepare accordingly before you do so.
15. Huangshan Mountain
Direct translation: the Yellow Mountain. Located in eastern China’s Anhui province, Huangshan boasts beautiful granite peaks, pine streets, hot springs, and an opportunity to see the clouds from the other side. Its tallest peak is known as Lotus Peak, which sits at 6,115 feet.
16. Karakoram 2
More well-known as K2, Karakoram is the second-highest mountain in the world. It sits at 28,251 feet tall and is located between Pakistan and China. While it doesn’t beat out Everest’s height, K2 has a more challenging ascent and difficult weather to contend with.
17. Picos de Europa
The Picos de Europa is a 12 mile-long mountain range in northern Spain. Its highest peak, the Torre de Cerredo, has an elevation of 8,690 feet. If you’re feeling more touristy, however, the range’s most famous climb is the Picu Urriellu, which is just under 500 feet shorter than the Torre.
18. Cerro Torre
When you think of the earth shaking and changing at will, do sharp land masses coming up from the ground come to mind? That is what the South American Cerro Torre looks like. Located between Argentina and Chile, this shockingly pointy mountain sits at 8,809 feet tall.
Lucas Leonel Suárez on Unsplash
19. Pico de Orizaba
With the title of highest mountain in Mexico, the Orizaba is a breathtaking sight. Sitting 18,491 feet above sea level, this dormant volcano has had many names throughout history. Star Mountain, White Mountain, and “The one that illuminates” all pay homage to Orizaba's snow-capped top.
20. Puncak Jaya
Located in Indonesia, this mountain’s direct translation is “Victorious Peak.” Its tallest point is 16,024 feet, and can be found among the Sudirman Range in Central Papua. This mountain peak contains no ice, but many glaciers can be found on its slopes.
