{"id":109867,"date":"2022-01-02T17:41:34","date_gmt":"2022-01-02T17:41:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.hostelworld.com\/blog\/?p=109867"},"modified":"2026-11-04T19:52:07","modified_gmt":"2026-11-04T19:52:07","slug":"beautiful-mountains","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.hostelworld.com\/blog\/beautiful-mountains\/","title":{"rendered":"12 Most Beautiful Mountains in the World That Will Take Your Breath Away"},"content":{"rendered":"

The most beautiful mountains in the world include the Matterhorn’s pointed pyramid in the Alps, Mount Everest at 8,849 metres and Japan’s snow-capped Mount Fuji. Photographers would add Iceland’s Kirkjufell, Peru’s striped Rainbow Mountain and China’s Huangshan, where granite peaks poke out of a sea of clouds.<\/p>\n

For each of the 12 below you’ll find the height, the best months to go, hostels nearby and how to get there. We checked heights, access rules and fees in November 2026, because several have changed in the last few years.<\/p>\n

The 12 most beautiful mountains at a glance<\/h2>\n

 <\/p>\n

    \n
  1. Matterhorn, Switzerland\/Italy<\/strong><\/li>\n
  2. Denali, USA<\/strong><\/li>\n
  3. Kirkjufell, Iceland<\/strong><\/li>\n
  4. Table Mountain, South Africa<\/strong><\/li>\n
  5. Vinicunca, Peru<\/strong><\/li>\n
  6. Mount Fuji, Japan<\/strong><\/li>\n
  7. Aoraki\/Mount Cook, New Zealand<\/strong><\/li>\n
  8. Mount Everest, Nepal\/Tibet<\/strong><\/li>\n
  9. Kilimanjaro, Tanzania, Africa<\/strong><\/li>\n
  10. Cradle Mountain, Tasmania, Australia<\/strong><\/li>\n
  11. Mount Huangshan (Yellow Mountain), China<\/strong><\/li>\n
  12. Castle Mountain, Canada<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

     <\/p>\n

    1. Matterhorn, Switzerland\/Italy \u2013 The Perfect Pyramid of the Alps<\/strong><\/h2>\n

    \ud83d\udccd Location:<\/strong> Swiss-Italian border<\/p>\n

    \u26f0\ufe0f Elevation:<\/strong> 4,478 meters (14,692 ft)<\/p>\n

    \ud83d\uddd3\ufe0fBest Time to Visit: <\/strong>June \u2013 September: Best for hiking; December \u2013 April: Skiing season<\/p>\n

    \ud83d\udecf\ufe0fBest Nearby Hostels: Hostel Matterhorn<\/a>, Zermatt Youth Hostel<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

    \ud83d\ude95How to Get There: <\/strong>Take a train to Zermatt and then use cable cars to access the mountain<\/p>\n

    The Alps\u2019 most famous pointed peak<\/h3>\n

    One of the most recognizable peaks in the world, famous for its dramatic pyramid shape and challenging climbs.<\/p>\n

     <\/p>\n

    This Alpine peak spans the border between Switzerland and Italy. At 4,478 metres it\u2019s smaller than the famed Mont Blanc (about 4,806 metres in the 2023 survey), but its striking pyramidal shape \u2013 not to mention its spot overlooking the cosy Swiss ski town of Zermatt \u2013\u00a0makes it the poster child for the Alps.<\/p>\n

    Matterhorn was first scaled in 1865, with Brit Edward Whymper credited as the initial person to reach the summit. His triumph was bitter sweet, though, since four climbers in Whymper\u2019s seven-strong team plunged to their deaths during their descent.<\/p>\n

    Today, upwards of 2,000 hardy folks ascend the peak each year. If you\u2019re determined to be one of them, the H\u00f6rnli ridge route is the most popular and is best attempted in summer. Don\u2019t underestimate the challenge, listen to your guide and make sure you\u2019re kitted out, crampons and all. Otherwise, take a funicular ride from Zermatt to Rothorn for jaw-dropping views without the climb. Our guide to the best hikes in Switzerland<\/a> has more walks that keep the costs down.<\/p>\n

    \"beautiful<\/p>\n

    Hostels in Switzerland<\/a><\/p>\n

     <\/p>\n

    2. Denali, USA \u2013 The Mighty Peak of North America<\/strong><\/h2>\n

    \ud83d\udccd Location:<\/strong> Alaska, USA<\/p>\n

    \u26f0\ufe0f Elevation:<\/strong> 6,190 meters (20,310 ft)<\/p>\n

    \ud83d\uddd3\ufe0f<\/strong>Best Time to Visit: <\/strong>Summer (June to August) for milder weather and longer days; December – April: skiing season<\/p>\n

    \ud83d\udecf\ufe0f Best Nearby Hostels: Billie’s Backpackers Hostel<\/a>, Sven’s Basecamp Hostel<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

    \ud83d\ude95How to Get There: <\/strong>Fly into Anchorage, Alaska, and then take a bus or drive to Denali National Park<\/p>\n

    North America\u2019s highest mountain<\/h3>\n

    North America\u2019s tallest peak, known for its extreme conditions and pristine wilderness.<\/p>\n

     <\/p>\n

    Mammoth Denali is the highest peak in all of North America. Craggy and snow-covered, it soars to more than 6,190 metres above sea level, rising from the stark valleys of Alaska\u2019s Denali National Park. The mountain was once known as Mt McKinley, but after decades of controversy it was officially renamed Denali in 2015, a name long used by Alaska Native peoples. In January 2025 a US executive order changed the federal name back to Mount McKinley, though the national park is still called Denali.<\/p>\n

    The peak can be seen from the Denali Park Road, which spools out for some 92 miles. Though temperatures are bracing, you\u2019ll likely get the best views of the mountain in winter, when the cloud cover is less. During summer you can drive the first fifteen miles of the road, which is studded with stop-offs offering postcard-worthy views of the mountain from around mile nine. Look out for grizzly bears too!<\/p>\n

    To get closer still, hop on one of the tour or transit buses that run inside the park. A landslide at Pretty Rocks closed the road in 2021, so in 2026 buses turned back at East Fork, around mile 43. A bridge over the slide opened in September 2026 and the National Park Service expects buses to reach the west end of the road again in 2027. Bus reservations for 2027 open on 1 December 2026.<\/p>\n

    Only experienced climbers should attempt to scale dizzying Denali. If that\u2019s you, the West Buttress route is the most popular way to ascend.<\/p>\n

    \"beautiful<\/p>\n

    Hostels in the USA<\/a><\/p>\n

     <\/p>\n

    3. Kirkjufell, Iceland \u2013 A Photographer\u2019s Dream<\/strong><\/h2>\n

    \ud83d\udccd Location: <\/strong>Grundarfj\u00f6r\u00f0ur, Iceland<\/p>\n

    \u26f0\ufe0f Elevation: <\/strong>463 meters (1,519 ft)<\/p>\n

    \ud83d\uddd3\ufe0fBest Time to Visit: <\/strong>September \u2013 March: Best for Northern Lights<\/p>\n

    \ud83d\udecf\ufe0fBest Nearby Hostels: Grundarfj\u00f6r\u00f0ur Hostel<\/strong><\/p>\n

    \ud83d\ude95How to Get There: <\/strong>Drive or take a bus from Reykjavik to Grundarfj\u00f6r\u00f0ur, then walk to the Kirkjufellsfoss viewpoint<\/p>\n

    Iceland\u2019s most photographed mountain<\/h3>\n

    One of Iceland\u2019s most photographed mountains, especially in winter with the Northern Lights.<\/p>\n

     <\/p>\n

    The strangely conical Kirkjufell, or \u201cchurch mountain\u201d, is often touted as Iceland\u2019s most photographed sight. It\u2019s not hard to see why. The yellow-green bluff looms over West Iceland\u2019s Sn\u00e6fellsnes peninsula, with pretty waterfall Kirkjufellsfoss and several sandy beaches in its wake. Such is its drama that the mountain even made a cameo in series seven of cult TV show Game of Thrones<\/em>.<\/p>\n

    Base yourself in the little seaside town of Grundarfj\u00f6r\u00f0ur, a few minutes from the mountain. Don\u2019t plan on reaching the summit, though. In November 2022 the landowners banned climbing Kirkjufell after three deaths in four years (Reykjavik Grapevine), so check the rules locally before you go and only climb with a guide if it\u2019s allowed again.<\/p>\n

    If you don\u2019t have a head for heights, there\u2019s a trail that loops around the mountain too. Time your trip for autumn or winter for a chance to catch the northern lights dancing over the mountain top, then add a few nights from our Iceland city breaks for chasing the northern lights<\/a>.<\/p>\n

    \"beautiful<\/p>\n

    Hostels in Iceland<\/a><\/p>\n

     <\/p>\n

    4. Table Mountain, South Africa \u2013 The Flat-Topped Wonder<\/strong><\/h2>\n

    \ud83d\udccd Location:<\/strong> Cape Town, South Africa<\/p>\n

    \u26f0\ufe0f Elevation:<\/strong> 1,085 meters (3,559 ft)<\/p>\n

    \ud83d\uddd3\ufe0fBest Time to Visit: <\/strong>Autumn to Spring (March to May, September to November) for pleasant weather; October-March: best for hiking<\/p>\n

    \ud83d\udecf\ufe0fBest Nearby Hostels: Zebra Crossing<\/a>, Ashanti Lodge Gardens<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

    \ud83d\ude95How to Get There: <\/strong>Take a cable car from Cape Town to the top of Table Mountain<\/p>\n

    A flat-topped peak above Cape Town<\/h3>\n

    One of the New7Wonders of Nature, offering panoramic views of Cape Town.<\/p>\n

     <\/p>\n

    One of the world\u2019s most famous pinnacles, Table Mountain watches over the South African city of Cape Town from 1,085 metres at its highest point. As the name suggests, it\u2019s known for its distinctive flat top and also for its diverse wildlife. Keep an eye out for endemic African species such as dassies: cute-as-a-button, furry mammals that look a little like plump meerkats.<\/p>\n

    You may not know that Table Mountain is among the planet\u2019s oldest peaks too. It\u2019s more than 200 million years old and the first recorded ascent was back in the early 16th <\/sup>century by a Portuguese explorer named Ant\u00f3nio de Saldanha.<\/p>\n

    Today a cable car<\/a> can take around 800 people to Table Mountain\u2019s summit every hour in just five minutes. To save time on the day, book tickets in advance \u2013 that way you\u2019ll have more time to enjoy panoramas of Cape Town from the top.<\/p>\n

    If you\u2019d prefer to take the long way, follow the zigzagging Platteklip Gorge hiking trail, which should take between 2\u20133 hours depending on your fitness level. Summertime (November\u2013February), when conditions are dry and sunny, is the best time to visit.<\/p>\n

    \"beautiful<\/p>\n

    Hostels in South Africa<\/a><\/p>\n

     <\/p>\n

    5. Vinicunca, Peru \u2013 The Rainbow Mountain<\/strong><\/h2>\n

    \ud83d\udccd Location:<\/strong> Cusco Region, Peru<\/span>\u200b<\/p>\n

    \u26f0\ufe0f Elevation:<\/strong> 5,200 meters (17,060 ft)<\/span>\u200b<\/p>\n

    \ud83d\uddd3\ufe0fBest Time to Visit:<\/strong>April to October: Dry season with clear skies; November to March: Rainy season with potential snow cover<\/p>\n

    \ud83d\udecf\ufe0fBest Nearby Hostels: Loki Hostel<\/a>, Wild Rover Hostel<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

    \ud83d\ude95How to Get There: <\/strong>Take a bus or tour from Cusco to the trailhead near Vinicunca.<\/p>\n

    Stripes of colour above 5,000 metres<\/h3>\n

    Vinicunca, known as Rainbow Mountain, gets its red, yellow and turquoise bands from layers of minerals in the rock.<\/p>\n

     <\/p>\n

    Peru\u2019s pink and yellow-streaked Vinicunca or \u201cRainbow Mountain\u201d seems to belong on another planet. But it\u2019s part of the Peruvian Andes, right here on Earth. The mountain, whose colours are caused by mineral deposits, is around a three-to-four-hour drive southeast of Cusco, a beautiful city filled with Spanish Colonial buildings.<\/p>\n

    Most people visit on a day trip from Cusco: about three hours by road to the trailhead, then roughly two hours\u2019 walk each way to a viewpoint above 5,000 metres. The altitude is the hard part, so spend a few days in Cusco first, drink plenty of water and take regular breaks. Bring cash for the entrance fee, which you pay on the way in (Salkantay Trekking).<\/p>\n

    Trail conditions are at their best and driest through Peru\u2019s winter months, April to November. For more trails to plan a trip around, see the hikes travellers ask about most in Hostelworld Chats<\/a>.<\/p>\n

    \"beautiful<\/p>\n

    Hostels in Peru<\/a><\/p>\n

     <\/p>\n

    6. Mount Fuji, Japan \u2013 The Sacred Volcano of Japan<\/strong><\/h2>\n

    \ud83d\udccd Location:<\/strong> Honshu, Japan<\/p>\n

    \u26f0\ufe0f Elevation:<\/strong> 3,776 meters (12,389 ft)<\/p>\n

    \ud83d\uddd3\ufe0fBest Time to Visit: <\/strong>Climbing season, with the Yoshida Trail open from 1 July to 10 September<\/p>\n

    \ud83d\udecf\ufe0fBest Nearby Hostels: Mt. Fuji Hostel Michael’s<\/a>, K’s House Mt.Fuji<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

    \ud83d\ude95How to Get There: <\/strong>Take a bus from Tokyo to the 5th Station, then start your ascent<\/p>\n

    A sacred volcano that hides in the clouds<\/h3>\n

    Japan\u2019s most famous mountain is a UNESCO World Heritage site and a pilgrimage spot for climbers and spiritual seekers alike.<\/p>\n

     <\/p>\n

    Mount Fuji is the highest peak in Japan. It tops out at a whopping 3,776 metres, and is at its best when finished with a generous hood of snow. It has great cultural significance too. The mountain has long been considered sacred, attracting centuries\u2019 worth of pilgrims of Buddhist, Shinto and other faiths.<\/p>\n

    Fuji is elusive, though, disappearing behind the clouds every chance it gets. But persevere and you\u2019ll be rewarded.<\/p>\n

    Your instinct will probably be to get as close as possible to the legendary mountain, but it\u2019s actually best viewed from afar. Weather permitting you can even see it from some of the Tokyo\u2019s towering skyscrapers \u2013 Bunkyo Civic Center\u2019s free observation deck has one of the best views.<\/p>\n

    If you\u2019re down for the hike, choose between one of the four trails that lace the mountain. The Yoshida trail is the most popular choice and buses whisk you right from Tokyo to the trailhead.<\/p>\n

    Since 2025 every climber pays a \u00a54,000 fee, whichever of the four trails they take. On the Yoshida Trail you also have to reserve online before you go, numbers are capped at 4,000 a day, and the trail closes overnight to anyone without a mountain hut booking. Check this season’s rules on the official Mount Fuji climbing site before you go.<\/p>\n

    \"beautiful<\/p>\n

    Hostels in Japan<\/a><\/p>\n

     <\/p>\n

    7. Aoraki\/<\/strong>Mount Cook, New Zealand \u2013 The Tallest Peak in NZ<\/strong><\/h2>\n

    \ud83d\udccd Location:<\/strong> South Island, New Zealand<\/p>\n

    \u26f0\ufe0f Elevation:<\/strong> 3,724 meters (12,218 ft)<\/p>\n

    \ud83d\uddd3\ufe0fBest Time to Visit:<\/strong> Summer (December to February) for warmer temperatures<\/p>\n

    \ud83d\udecf\ufe0fBest Nearby Hostels: Haka House Aoraki Mt Cook<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

    \ud83d\ude95How to Get There:<\/strong> Drive or take a bus to Aoraki\/Mount Cook National Park<\/p>\n

    New Zealand\u2019s highest peak, ringed by glaciers<\/h3>\n

    Aoraki\/Mount Cook is the highest peak in New Zealand, surrounded by glaciers.<\/p>\n

     <\/p>\n

    New Zealand is renowned for its stunning scenery, and its highest mountain doesn\u2019t disappoint. The vast bluff in the Southern Alps rises to more than 3,700 metres, reflecting in the glacial lakes at its feet.<\/p>\n

    The name Mount Cook was given to the peak by European settlers. But native\u00a0peoples had always known it as Aoraki, after a young figure from M\u0101ori legend. Now it goes by both names.<\/p>\n

    Content yourself with hiking or biking one of the ten Alpine trails that leave from nearby Mount Cook Village, offering views of the mountain. Or, if you\u2019ve got the experience, tackle a climb. Head here in summer (December\u2013February), and book a local guide who knows the route. Caroline Hut is a popular spot in which to make your base and set out from.<\/p>\n

    If you\u2019ve got some wiggle room in your budget, another incredible way to take in the peak is via a helicopter tour<\/a>.<\/p>\n

    \"beautiful<\/p>\n

    Hostels in New Zealand<\/a><\/p>\n

     <\/p>\n

    8. Mount Everest, Nepal\/Tibet \u2013 The World’s Highest Peak<\/strong><\/h2>\n

    \ud83d\udccd Location:<\/strong> Nepal\/Tibet border<\/p>\n

    \u26f0\ufe0f Elevation:<\/strong> 8,849 meters (29,032 ft)<\/p>\n

    \ud83d\uddd3\ufe0fBest Time to Visit: <\/strong>Pre-monsoon (April to May) and post-monsoon (September to October).<\/p>\n

    \ud83d\udecf\ufe0fBest Nearby Hostels: Wanderthirst Hostels<\/a>, Flock Hostel Kathmandu<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

    \ud83d\ude95How to Get There: <\/strong>Fly to Lukla from Kathmandu, then trek to Everest Base Camp<\/p>\n

    Chomolungma, the mother of all mountains<\/h3>\n

    Mount Everest, the highest mountain on Earth, draws trekkers and climbers from all over the world. The Everest Base Camp trek passes Sherpa villages, Buddhist monasteries and viewpoints like Kala Patthar, so you can see it up close without going for the summit.<\/p>\n

     <\/p>\n

    No list of the world\u2019s great peaks would be complete without Everest. Tibetans call it Chomolungma, usually translated as \u201cGoddess Mother of the World\u201d, which is why it\u2019s known as the mother of all mountains. It rises to 8,849 metres, jutting out of the Himalayas on the Nepal-Tibet border.<\/p>\n

    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. The first confirmed ascent to Everest\u2019s summit was in 1953, by Nepali-Indian and British mountaineers Tenzing Norgay and Edmund Hillary, though other climbers had already perished in previous attempts.<\/p>\n

    Climbing Everest is an extreme and costly undertaking, but still hundreds of adventurous souls brave it each year. Nepal raised its spring climbing permit to US$15,000 from September 2025 (Kathmandu Post). Most set out from the little town Lukla in Nepal, having flown in from Kathmandu. From here the trek to the Everest Base Camp should take about 10 days.<\/p>\n

    If that all sounds a little too extreme, follow the\u00a0shorter and slightly more accessible trek to Namche Bazaar, a breath-taking hillside village that offers fabulous views of Everest.<\/p>\n

    \"beautiful<\/p>\n

    Hostels in Nepal<\/a><\/p>\n

     <\/p>\n

    9. Kilimanjaro, Tanzania \u2013 The Roof of Africa<\/strong><\/h2>\n

    \ud83d\udccd Location:<\/strong> Tanzania, East Africa<\/p>\n

    \u26f0\ufe0f Elevation:<\/strong> 5,895 meters (19,341 ft)<\/p>\n

    \ud83d\uddd3\ufe0fBest Time to Visit: <\/strong>Dry seasons (January to March, June to October) for clear skies.<\/p>\n

    \ud83d\udecf\ufe0fBest Nearby Hostels: Rafiki Backpackers & Guesthouse<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

    \ud83d\ude95How to Get There:<\/strong>Fly into Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO), then take a taxi or shuttle to Moshi or Arusha, the main starting points for Kilimanjaro treks<\/p>\n

    Africa\u2019s highest peak, no ropes needed<\/h3>\n

    Kilimanjaro is Africa\u2019s highest peak and the world\u2019s tallest free-standing mountain. Unlike technical climbs, Kilimanjaro is a non-technical trek, making it a bucket-list adventure for hikers of all levels.<\/p>\n

     <\/p>\n

    Another bucket-list-topping peak is volcanic Kilimanjaro, which you\u2019ll find in north-eastern Tanzania, right in the centre of its namesake national park. The \u201cRoof of Africa\u201d is a fitting nickname for the mountain, which is 5,895m at its highest point.<\/p>\n

    Kilimanjaro is actually a volcano made up of a trio of peaks. Though if you\u2019re planning a trip, you\u2019ll be glad to hear it\u2019s dormant \u2013 the last eruption happened some 360,000 years ago.<\/p>\n

    If you dream of standing at Kilimanjaro\u2019s summit, looking out over the clouds, plan your trip for January through to March, or June through to October. The other months of the year bring with them rain and snow.<\/p>\n

    Most trekkers set their sights on the Marangu Route: expect six days\u2019 worth of hiking over the craggy terrain and rest up in mountain huts along the way. If you\u2019re content with seeing the peak from a distance, the Tanzanian town of Moshi is a great vantage point.<\/p>\n

    \"beautiful<\/p>\n

    Hostels in Tanzania<\/a><\/p>\n

     <\/p>\n

    10. Cradle Mountain, Australia \u2013 Tasmania\u2019s Iconic Peak<\/strong><\/h2>\n

    \ud83d\udccd Location:<\/strong> Tasmania, Australia<\/p>\n

    \u26f0\ufe0f Elevation:<\/strong> 1,545 meters (5,069 ft)<\/p>\n

    \ud83d\uddd3\ufe0fBest Time to Visit:<\/strong>Summer (December\u2013March) for mild weather and ideal hiking conditions<\/p>\n

    \ud83d\udecf\ufe0fBest Nearby Hostels: Discovery Parks Cradle Mountain, Cradle Mountain Wilderness Village<\/strong><\/p>\n

    \ud83d\ude95How to Get There:<\/strong>Fly into Launceston or Hobart, then drive or take a bus to Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park<\/p>\n

    Tasmania\u2019s jagged ridge above Dove Lake<\/h3>\n

    Cradle Mountain is one of Australia\u2019s best-known wilderness areas, with rugged peaks, alpine lakes and wildlife including wombats and Tasmanian devils. It\u2019s also where the Overland Track begins.<\/p>\n

    At 1,545\u00a0m, this is not the tallest mountain in Australia \u2013 but what it lacks in size, it more than makes up for with beauty. Overlooking sapphire Dove Lake, the ridged scarp of Cradle Mountain is quite a sight. It dominates Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park, snow-freckled in winter, and rising from lush grass and forestland through summer.<\/p>\n

    Excavations of the area around the mountain have unearthed many native sites, but it was English surveyor Joseph Fossey who christened the peak \u201cCradle Mountain\u201d, because of its curiously curved shape.<\/p>\n

    Now it\u2019s one of Tasmania\u2019s most popular tourist attractions and is around an hour-and-a-half drive from the busy city of Devonport. There are hikes for all abilities throughout the national park. They all reward the walker with awesome views of Cradle Mountain, and also take in glacial lakes, dense woodland and the occasional waterfall along the way.<\/p>\n

    The 6-kilometre Dove Lake Circuit is a favourite. If you\u2019ve got your sights set on the summit, the main trail leaves from Dove Lake and will take 6\u20138 hours to complete (that\u2019s the whole round-trip). Be prepared to scramble over some tricky boulders on the way.<\/p>\n

    Leave the car at the visitor centre. A shuttle bus runs from there to Dove Lake, and private cars can\u2019t use the road while it\u2019s running. You\u2019ll need a Tasmanian parks pass, plus a shuttle ticket (A$15.50 for adults in November 2026) unless you have the Cradle Mountain Icon pass or an Overland Track pass, which include the bus (Parks and Wildlife Service Tasmania).<\/p>\n

    Views of the mountain are majestic in both winter and summer, but if you\u2019re planning to make the ascent, best come in summer (November\u2013April) when conditions are a little more predictable.<\/p>\n

    \"beautiful<\/p>\n

    Hostels in Launceston<\/a><\/p>\n

     <\/p>\n

    11. Mount Huangshan (Yellow Mountain), China<\/strong><\/h2>\n

    \ud83d\udccd Location:<\/strong> Southern Anhui Province, Eastern China<\/span>\u200b<\/p>\n

    \u26f0\ufe0f Elevation:<\/strong> 1,864 meters (6,115 ft)<\/span><\/p>\n

    \ud83d\uddd3\ufe0fBest Time to Visit:<\/strong> Spring (April\u2013May) and Autumn (September\u2013October) for mild temperatures and stunning views<\/p>\n

    \ud83d\udecf\ufe0fBest Nearby Hostels: Kunlun International Youth Hostel<\/a>, HuiJiYunGe<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

    \ud83d\ude95 How to Get There:<\/strong> Take a bus from Huangshan North Railway Station (1 hour) or a taxi from Huangshan Airport (1.5 hours). Direct high-speed trains from Shanghai take ~4 hours.<\/p>\n

    Granite peaks above a sea of clouds<\/h3>\n

    Huangshan is famous for its dramatic peaks, ancient pines, and mystical sea of clouds<\/strong>, inspiring poets and painters for centuries.<\/p>\n

     <\/p>\n

    Mount Huangshan thoroughly deserves its nickname: \u201cthe loveliest mountain in China\u201d. As if plucked straight from Avatar, <\/em>the huge rock formations are made even more mysterious by a perpetual layer of mist.<\/p>\n

    It was given the name Yellow Mountain under the Tang Dynasty way back in 747. The otherworldly views have since inspired many Chinese artistic works, especially the shan shui<\/em> style of painting, which focuses on landscapes<\/p>\n

    Still today visitors are in awe of Huangshan\u2019s beauty. To see it for yourself, you\u2019ll need to make your way into Huangshan City in China\u2019s Anhui province (it\u2019s easiest to fly or it\u2019s around a 5-hour drive from Shanghai).<\/p>\n

    Once you\u2019re here, it\u2019s pretty easy to explore. Three cable cars travel to the mountain top and the many stone steps that wind throughout the peaks make trekking simple too (if not a little hard on the calf muscles).<\/p>\n

    You can hike Huangshan year-round but high season is from April through to October. Off season will be delightfully quiet, but be aware that some trails may be closed for maintenance.<\/p>\n

    For the sea of clouds, go between November and May and aim for the day after rain or snow, when mist settles in the valleys below the peaks (China Highlights).<\/p>\n

    \"beautiful<\/p>\n

    Hostels in China<\/a><\/p>\n

     <\/p>\n

    12. Castle Mountain, Canada<\/strong><\/h2>\n

    \ud83d\udccd Location:<\/strong> Banff National Park, Alberta, Canada<\/span>\u200b<\/p>\n

    \u26f0\ufe0f Elevation:<\/strong> 2,766 meters (9,075 feet)<\/span><\/p>\n

    \ud83d\uddd3\ufe0f<\/strong>Best Time to Visit: <\/strong>Summer (June to August) for hiking and outdoor activities.<\/p>\n

    \ud83d\udecf\ufe0fBest Nearby Hostels: HI Banff Alpine Centre<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

    \ud83d\ude95How to Get There: <\/strong>Drive along the Trans-Canada Highway to reach Castle Mountain<\/p>\n

    A peak shaped like a fortress<\/h3>\n

    Castle Mountain\u2019s turreted cliffs make it one of Banff\u2019s best-known landmarks, with good hikes and wide views over the Bow Valley.<\/p>\n

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    Banff National Park has plenty of peaks, but Castle Mountain is the most unique. And it\u2019s easy to see how it got its name. The mountain resembles a turreted fortress, perched ominously above the spruce and fir trees in the Canadian Rockies.<\/p>\n

    Head to Castle Junction, where the Banff-Windermere Highway and the Trans-Canada Highway meet in the park. Here you\u2019ll get glorious views of the mountain, especially beautiful in the early morning light.<\/p>\n

    Then take the Castle Lookout trail, which starts 5 km west of Castle Junction on the Bow Valley Parkway. It\u2019s 3.7 km each way with 520 m of climbing, so allow 3 to 4 hours to reach the viewpoint and come back down (Parks Canada). Tackle it in spring, summer or autumn to avoid slippery winter conditions.<\/p>\n

    \"beautiful<\/p>\n

    Hostels in Canada<\/a><\/p>\n

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    Which mountains look coolest in photos?<\/h2>\n

    If you’re after the classic pointy mountain, the Matterhorn is the one people picture, a near-perfect pyramid that looks different from every side of Zermatt. Kirkjufell is easier to frame than to climb: stand by the Kirkjufellsfoss waterfall and the cone lines up behind it, best of all under winter skies.<\/p>\n

    For a mountain with clouds, Huangshan is hard to beat when its granite peaks rise out of the mist. Vinicunca gives you colour instead, with its bands of red and yellow at their sharpest on a dry-season morning. Mount Fuji often hides in cloud, so give yourself a few days and look for it from a distance, even from the free observation deck at Bunkyo Civic Center in Tokyo.<\/p>\n

    Match the mountain to the month<\/h2>\n

    Use the best times above to pick your trip:<\/p>\n