Nature is breathtakingly beautiful. Mountains, given their height and size, are one of nature’s more impressive features, and people around the world flock to them to take in their beauty, climb to their peaks and revel in their size. Some of the most beautiful mountains in the world leave spectators in awe when they see them in person.
If you’re someone who likes to visit these mountains, there’s a good chance one of your parents was the arbiter of that drive. A new study finds that appreciation of nature can be passed down through generations. Your parents may have shown you the power and beauty of nature and instilled that life-long drive to go outside.
Being outside, for obvious reasons, actually has the ability to make you happier, according to research. That isn’t surprising, how often after a hard day does a walk outside take your mind off the stress of whatever has you worrying?
Aside from the mental benefits of being one with nature, visiting the world’s most beautiful mountains is a great way to go about it. StudyFinds set out to do the research for you, visiting 10 expert websites. We put together this list of the most beautiful mountains in the world. If you’ve got your own suggestions, please leave them in the comments below!
The List: Most Beautiful Mountains in the World, According to Experts
1. Mount Fuji in Japan
This active volcano on the island of Honshu is a sight to behold. A site of pilgrimage for centuries among Buddhists, Shinto, and others, Mount Fuji is the largest peak in Japan. The last time it erupted was in the 18th century.
“It tops out at a whopping 3,775 meters, and is at its best when finished with a generous hood of snow,” writes Hostelworld. “It has great cultural significance too. … Fuji is elusive, though, disappearing behind the clouds every chance it gets. But persevere and you’ll be rewarded. Your instinct will probably be to get as close as possible to the legendary mountain, but it’s actually best viewed from afar.”
“One of the most beautiful mountains in the world, Mount Fuji is the symbol of Japan,” says Exoticca. “With its snowy mountain peak, Mount Fuji captures the hearts of all who view it. … It is recognizable by its perfect conical shape and plays an important role in many aspects of traditional Shinto belief systems. Furthermore, followers of the Shugendō religion used to climb the mountain’s slopes, finally building a temple at the summit by the early 12th-century.”
“According to the Japanese proverb, ‘he who climbs Mount Fuji once is a wise man, he who climbs it twice is a fool.’ This is not without merit for the climb itself offers little of Fuji’s beauty as seen from afar,” writes Atlas & Boots. “On the mountain itself, one will find a barren landscape trod by 300,000 people a year. From a distance, however, Fuji maintains an arresting equanimity that secures its place on this list of the most beautiful mountains in the world.”
2. Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania
As the highest freestanding mountain in the world, Kilimanjaro is also the highest mountain in Africa. It is made up of three dormant volcanic cones: Kibo, Mawenzi, and Shira. “The mountain is 5,895 meters high and gives home to all kinds of ecological systems,” notes The Travel Enthusiast. “You can find here moorlands as well as cultivated land, alpine desert, arctic summit and even rain forest! Isn’t that incredible!”
“A visit to Mount Kilimanjaro not only offers killer views of this natural wonder but also of the Savanna’s exotic wildlife,” writes Veranda. “Those brave enough to climb it will find nearly every type of ecological system on the mountain, from rain forests to moorlands to an arctic summit.”
“It is one of the famed Seven Summits of Africa,” states Travel Triangle. “It is topped with several glaciers and a diminishing ice field. … Western white and black colobuses, blue monkeys, elephants, cape buffaloes, and leopards can be found in the forests of Kilimanjaro National Park.”
3. Matterhorn in Switzerland and Italy
The famously pyramid-shaped Matterhorn straddles the border of Italy and Switzerland in the Alps. Considered one of the deadliest peaks to climb in the world, its beauty is breathtaking and unmistakable. “The Matterhorn is one of the most beautiful mountains in the world,” writes Exoticca . “The Matterhorn measures 4,478 m at its highest point. The Swiss resort town of Zermatt is the best place to visit to admire the iconic peak.”
Topping Earth & World’s list of the most beautiful mountains in the world, the outlet writes, “The most mystical, majestic, the mountain of mountains. The Matterhorn paradise is the highest summer ski region in Europe and is open 365 days a year. … The rocky tooth reaching the sky and the light reflections for the nearby Stellisee make the Matterhorn’s landscape a unique natural spectacle in Zermatt.”
“At 4,478 meters it’s smaller than the famed Mont Blanc (4,810 meters), but its striking pyramidal shape – not to mention its spot overlooking the cozy Swiss ski town of Zermatt – makes it the poster child for the Alps.,” writes Hostelworld. “Matterhorn was first scaled in 1865, with Brit Edward Whymper credited as the initial person to reach the summit.”
4. Denali Peak in Alaska
Also known as Mount McKinley, Denali Peak is the crown jewel of Alaska’s Denali National Park and Preserve. It’s aptly named, being the tallest mountain in North America, as Denali means “The High One.”
“The park’s towering, snow-capped centerpiece measures an incredible 20,237 feet (6,168 meters) at its summit,” says Beautiful World. “Unsurprisingly, both mountain climbing and backpacking are extremely popular all year round, whilst during the winter months when the park’s winding paths are blanketed with snow, cross country skiers flock to the area.”
“Denali in Alaska is arguably the most difficult mountain of the seven summits after Everest,” writes Atlas & Boots. “Denali’s stunning aspect makes it just a little bit easier to understand why it unfailingly attracts climbers to its slopes.”
“Denali peak is considered to be one of the best mountains in the world,” writes Travel Triangle. “Set at the core of the vast Denali national park, the Denali peak stands tall at an altitude of about 20,310 feet which makes it one of the isolated mountains in the world too. Serving as a great escape for your inner adventurer, get to witness nature’s magic on your next visit to this Alaskan beauty!”
5. Mount Everest in Nepal and Tibet
Rising out of the Himalayan Mountains on the border of Nepal and Tibet is Mount Everest, one of the most famous and beautiful mountains in the world. The journey to the mountain’s base camp is an adventure in and of itself if you’re not planning to undertake the difficult, though rewarding, adventure of climbing to the summit. “The highest mountain in the world, Mount Everest is over 60 million years old and grows about a half inch taller every year,” states National Geographic.
“No list of the world’s great peaks would be complete without Everest,” writes Hostelworld . “The mother of all mountains, she rises to more than 8,848 metres. … The mountain is named after lauded British surveyor Sir George Everest, though the peak already had two local titles: Chomolungma on the Tibetan side and Sagarmatha in Nepal.
“An adventurer’s dream, Mount Everest, demonstrates precisely why mountains entice us as much as they do,” says The Boutique Adventurer. “The tallest mountain range above sea level, its highest peak reaches 8,848 meters. While it’s the most attempted mountain peak in the world, only some ever reach its summit.That, however, doesn’t change the fact that its stunning beauty offers almost unreal views, sitting on the border of Nepal and the autonomous region of Tibet. Even if you don’t plan on tackling an ascension of Everest, viewing it from afar is enough for an unforgettable experience.”
You might also be interested in:
- Best Mountain Towns in America
- Best Places to Live in Colorado
- Best U.S. Ski Resorts
- Best Hiking Trails In U.S.
Sources
- The Travel Enthusiast
- National Geographic
- Atlas & Boots
- Veranda
- Earth & World
- Hostelworld
- Exoticca
- Travel Triangle
- The Boutique Adventurer
- Beautiful World
Note: This article was not paid for nor sponsored. StudyFinds is not connected to nor partnered with any of the brands mentioned and receives no compensation for its recommendations.
