Grand Teton, Wyoming

10 Unbelievable Mountains For Your World Travel Bucket List

We’ve seen some unbelievable mountains (St. Lucia’s Petit Piton, Alaska’s Mt. McKinley) and dreamed about visiting a few others (France’s Mt. Blanc and Washington’s Mt. Rainier). Still, it’s the 10 elegant enormities listed below that truly take the imagination to new heights— and quite literally. After virtually hiking with us, leave a comment about your own personal experiences with the rockin’ rocks, or let us know which other natural wonders we may have missed.

Aoraki/Mt. Cook (New Zealand)

Most people know New Zealand‘s most imposing mountain (12,316 feet) simply as Mt. Cook. But in a 1998 settlement between the native Ngai Tahu and the Crown, the precious landmark was renamed Aoraki/Mt. Cook. Whatever the official title, all sides can agree (including mountain climbing enthusiasts who annually make the trip to New Zealand) that the breezy, snow-capped peaks are some of the most picturesque on the planet.

Mt. Fuji (Japan)

The crazy thing about Mt. Fuji is that, even though it’s wider than Rhode Island (78 miles to be precise), it’s often hard to see. Blame clouds that smother from all sides for some of the obstructed views. Guess we can fault all the tourists’ heads and camera bags too. From July-August, thousands attempt the eight-hour ascent up the mountain. The 10 stations along the way provide both a chance to catch your breath and capture the breathtaking views.

Cerro Torre, Argentina/Chile

Cerro Torre (Argentina/Chile)

Another treacherous temptress that many can’t seem to keep their hands off, Cerro Torre is arguably the most bizarre-looking mountain in the world. The long, pointed structure almost beckons climbers to a challenge. Those who take the old lady up on the offer are routinely greeted with violent winds and tricky rime ice. For those reasons alone, we humbly suggest taking pictures from Parque Nacional Los Glaciares’ safer grounds.

Huayna Picchu (Peru)

Sure, you know about the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. But can you name all of the New Seven Wonders of the World? We’ll give you a hint for one: It’s in the Huayna Picchu shadows. For those who’ve visited Machu Picchu, a 15^th century Incan cultural site, the fact that the Peruvian treasure was named a New Wonder is no surprise. What is baffling is the fact that more people don’t talk about all the rigid beauty surrounding the man-made marvel.

Table Mountain, South Africa

Table Mountain (South Africa)

One of the most unique natural structures on Earth, this aptly named South Africa attraction looks like a piece of furniture for the gods. Of course, mortals have long wanted to peek at what was sitting atop the table, so in October 1929, a system of cable cars started ushering curious visitors up. Today, said cable cars are nearly as iconic as the magnificent coffee table that seemingly fell from heaven.

Grand Teton (Wyoming)

As the lone North American representative on this compilation, it goes without saying that this Wyoming wonder has something that Colorado’s Rocky Mountains, Canada’s Valley of the Ten Peaks and the aforementioned Mt. Rainier simply do not. Know what that is? These mountains have the unmatched Grand Teton National Park at its footsteps. The Park’s awesome foliage, elk sightings and Hallmark Card-worthy lakes draw as many sightseers as the cliffs do climbers.

The Alps, Switzerland

Swiss Alps (Switzerland)

As a June 6 rockslide attests, the Alps’ prettiness should never supersede its potential peril. For centuries, hikers have been under the spell of Dammastock’s dramatic peaks and Matterhorn’s majestic summit. Sadly, for centuries, there have also been tragic cases of adventurers not succeeding on their journeys. For those who’d rather try their hands with another thrill sport, the Alps’ slopes are equally renowned for skiing.

Ama Dablam (Nepal)

One of the coolest items at REI is the Marmot Ama Dablam jacket. It’s super warm, has a repellent finish to shed snow and a reinforced brim. It’s perfect for conditions you’d find at the actual Ama Dablam, one of the many mountains of the Himalaya range. The jacket’s hand-warming pockets are also good, safe places for the camera you’d want for any snaps of the 22,349 feet of imposing beauty.

Mt. Everest, Nepal/Tibet

Mt. Everest (Nepal/Tibet)

We know that Ama Dablam is a part of the same mountain range as Everest. And usually, on these kinds of lists, we attempt to spread the geographical love. But in the case of the world’s tallest mountain, we had to make an exception. At 29,029 resplendent feet above sea level, Everest’s size is hard to quantify. However, with its challenging courses and fabled history, its attraction surely is not.

Mt. Kilimanjaro (Tanzania)

Kipoo is the name of Kili’s snowy peak. The brave souls who trek all 19,000+ feet up to Kipoo can declare they’ve seen the summit of Africa, seeing as how Kilimanjaro is the continent’s highest point. Those hikers can also boast to having seen virtually every climate, from tropical to arctic, on their ascent. Visitors who stay closer to ground aren’t empty of memories, though. The view up from the neighboring town of Moshi is a sight to behold. –DeMarco Williams

In you enjoyed reading Top 10 Mountains In The World For Your World Travel Bucket List, you might also like:

10 Amazing Island Getaways

10 Eco-Friendly European Islands

10 Most Threatened Rivers

10 Unbelievable Mountains

10 Uncrowded National Parks