Summit Junkie - Blog

The mountains of England comprise of a variety of different terrains playing host to popular mountain ranges such as the Pennines, the Yorkshire Dales, The Peak District and the Southern districts of Devon and Dartmoor. Whilst these walks are both challenging, popular and rewarding nothing can compare to the variety of the higher mountains of the English Lake district in Cumbria. Hosting England’s highest mountain Scafell Pike at 978 meters, is one the three of the UK’s most popular hiking marathons known as The Three Peaks Challenge.  Equally popular is the enchanting Helvellyn at 950 meters which hosts one of the country’s most dramatic edge walks, Striding Edge. The Cumbrian mountains offer a fantastic opportunity to climbers and walkers of all abilities and many are immortalised in a series of charming books written by the popular fell walker and author Alfred Wainwright. These humorous pictorial guides provide the reader with detailed advice on all the major mountains and fells in the Lake District. The guides are divided into 7 pocket sized books of the following titles: The Eastern Fells, The Far Eastern Fells, The Central Fells, The Southern Fells, The North Western Fells, The Wester Fells and the Northern Fells.

The majority of the most popular mountains in Wales are hosted within the Snowdonia’s National park and if you like rocky, rough and tough climbs then this is the place to be. Snowdon is the highest mountain in Wales at a height o 1085 meters offers sensational hiking and for the brave and sure footed the knife edge of Crib Goch offers an adrenaline rush akin to bungee jumping. If Scafell is seconded by Helvellyn then the second to Snowdon in polarity has to be Tryfan at a height of 918 meters. Its iconic two vertical standing stones at its summit known as Adam and Eve makes it unique amongst the mountains of the world. Outside of Snowdonia there is Cadair Idris at 893 meters which rears up from the shores of the beautiful Mawddach Estuary. Further south lying between Snowdonia and the Brecon Beacons are the Cambrian Mountains s which span the counties of Powys, Ceredigion and Carmarthenshire.

Scotland is the most mountainous country in the United Kingdom and plays host the UK’s highest peak Ben Nevis at a height of 1,344 meters which stands at the western end of the Grampian Mountains in the region of Lochaber, close to the town of Fort William. Often the starting point for those embarking on the nation’s most popular of all walking marathons ‘The Three Peaks’ Challenge. Most participants preferring to make their way North to South starting with Ben Nevis, then Scafell Pike finalising the challenge on the summit of Snowdon. For serious walkers and climbers then Scotland is the equivalent of the Alps offering excitement and challenges for all levels of skills. The most popular mountains are divided into useful lists for mountain baggers. The most popular are the 282 Munros all of which are over 3,000 feet (914 meters) in height. Other mountain lists include The Corbetts, The Grahams, The Donalds and The Marylins.

Hiking in Northern Ireland is an unforgettable experience, thanks to the country's varied landscape. From tranquil forests to craggy islands to sublime mountains, you won't be short of walking opportunities. Northern Ireland is home to two notable mountain ranges—the Sperrin Mountains and the Mourne Mountains—as well as several impressive standalone mountains. The highest mountain in the Sperrins is Sawel Mountain at 678 meters.

The Mourne Mountains are hugely popular with hikers and feature many of the tallest peaks in Northern Ireland the highest of which is  Slieve Donard  at 848 meters.

Argentina is a vast and diverse land, ranging from the tropics of the North, the Pampas and Andes in the West, Buenos Aires in the East, and the mighty Patagonia in the South. Patagonia boasts some of the most adventurous landscapes in all of South America for mountaineering.

The jagged peaks of the Andes and the remote pitches of the Patagonian Ice Cap have attracted budding mountaineers for over a century. Mountain climbing in Argentina is an unbelievably special experience, as the wide array of landscapes and sheer epic scale of the scenery is guaranteed to take one’s breath away.

Hiking and climbing in Austria is a great way to experience nature and beautiful landscapes. There are alpine routes in Austria that date back to the Bronze Age. The modern culture of organized hiking in the Alps can be dated back to the creation of the Austrian Alpine Club, founded in Vienna in 1862. Today the club has just over a half a million members, and boasts 234 alpine huts.The spectacular Austrian Alps stretch throughout the whole country and holds the biggest territory of the Alps of all the eight Alpine regions.

It is full of spectacular peaks, vast green meadows, and magnificent valleys that were formed during the last Ice Age. Popular all year around and during the summer months Austria is one of the most popular hiking destinations in Europe.

Bolivia has a huge number of mountains over 5000m high spread throughout 4 main ranges. Due to its forgiving climate it is possible to climb throughout the whole year with the winter having some of the most stable mountain weather in the world. A variety of climbing is available from big snow and ice ridges and faces to pure rock routes and everything in between. Access to the main ranges is straight forward and sometimes ridiculously quick. From downtown La Paz (Bolivia’s capital) it is possible to climb a 6000m peak return in a day, now that is amazing! All this makes Bolivia one of the most cost effective mountaineering destinations in the world. If you enjoy being in the mountains and getting up high peaks it is possible to climb many classic routes in a relatively short period of time.

Chile’s offers multiple climbing opportunities for both novice and highly experienced climbers. Infinite mountains, snowy peaks and even volcanic craters are just a few of the challenges on offer in the country. Hosting the worlds highest volcano in northern Chile. The Ojos del Salado, standing at 6,893 meters, provides an exciting challenge for experienced mountaineers who come from all over the world to test their skills. Southern Chile’s high peaks and volcanoes are ideal for expert climbers.

These demanding climbs call for crampons and extra vigilance; aim for the summit of the Villarrica volcano or scale the granite towers of the Torres del Paine – a truly unspoiled wilderness experience.

When thinking of the French mountains, our thoughts inevitably jump to the Alps and more precisely Mont Blanc, the highest mountain in the Alps and Western Europe. Rising 4,808 m above sea level. It is the second-highest and second most prominent mountain in Europe, after Mount Elbrus.

However, there are five other spectacular mountain ranges   in France offering beautiful challenging trails including the Vosges and Jura in the northeast, the Massif Central in the south, the Pyrenees, and the island of Corsica.

France has a great tradition of climbing, from the conquest of Mont Aiguille in 1492 by Antoine de Ville to the launch of free climbing in the late 70s and early 80s with climbing ikons Jean-Claude Droyer and Patrick Edlinger.

Germany is blessed with some truly magnificent natural, from sacred lakes to the enchanted black forests, from the coastal trails that wrap around the Baltic Sea to the magnificent peaks . The highest mountain in Germany is The Zugspitze which rises to an impressive 2,962 meters offers a variety of ways to summit its peak, the hard way on foot or choose between two comfortable options: the popular cogwheel railway from Garmisch-Partenkirchen itself via Grainau and Lake Eibsee or the new Zugspitze cable car direct from Lake Eibsee that opened in 2017. For experienced mountaineers Bavaria offer a total of ten mountains all over 2600 meters with breath taking views of the majestic mountainous and lake-land scenery that Bavaria has to offer.

Iceland is a country of varied and interesting landscapes, some of the most fascinating are to be found in its remarkable and uniquely shaped mountain. Iceland owes much of its character to these big giants, coming in various shapes and sizes.

Hvannadalshnúkur is highest at  2110 meters, but what the others lack in size, they surely make up for in beauty. Grundarfjörður's beautiful landmark is the most popular mountain in Iceland, named  Kirkjufell (Church Mountain) it is 463 meters high and the amazing colours reflected upon surface at sunset make it the most photographed in the whole of Iceland.

Ireland's mountain ranges are mostly situated in the coastal counties. Carrauntoohil, is the highest peak on the island, standing proud at 1,038 meters. It is the central peak of the impressive Macgillycuddy’s Reeks range which is littered with some of the highest peaks in the country including Beenkeragh at 1,010 m and Caher to the west at 1,001 m.

County Down, hosts one of the most sung about group of mountains known as the  Mourne Mountains, which coincidently are also considered the moist picturesque.

Owing to Ireland’s compact size it is relatively easy to ascend the majority of the main peaks within a short holiday period.

Famous throughout the world for its breathtaking mountain ranges Italy plays host to the Italian Alps, the Apennines which form the spine of the country and the Dolomites in the north east. There are points of crossover between the three mountain ranges, the Apennines touching the Ligurian Alps in the north west being one example while the Dolomites also form part of the Southern Limestone Alps. The Italian Alps cover the northern regions of Friuli Venezia Giulia, Valle d'Aosta, Piedmont, Trentino Alto-Adige, Lombardy, the Veneto and highlights of which include the famous Matterhorn and Monte Bianco.(Mont Blanc) The Apennines are commonly considered as the "Spine of Italy" for obvious reasons stretch some 750 miles from the Ligurian Alps in the north west down to Reggio Calabria, close to Sicily. The Dolomites cover the north eastern regions of Veneto and Trentino Alto-Adige. With some of the country's most spectacular scenery, the Dolomites can be visited all year around.

Japan is home to the world famous spectacular Mount Fuji and more than 8,000 other mountains which makes it an extra special treat for any outdoor enthusiast. A warm subtropical climate allows for an extended hiking period; the oriental charm amplifies epic scenery leaving unparalleled imprint in your memories.

There are 21 three-thousanders, the tallest of which is Mount Fuji, at 3,776 metres (12,388 ft.). Most of these mountains are connected to major events of Japanese history as well as to mythology and religion. Some mountains, like Mount Tsukuba or Mount Tate, are considered sacred because people believe a god dwells in them or because a holy man walked their paths. In Shintoism, mountains symbolize the reign of the wild and the reign of gods, in opposition to paddy fields, which represent humans, society and civilization. That’s why you will always find at least one Shinto shrine on the top of these mountains. Mountains have a significant value in Buddhism as well.

The mountains of Malaysia offer climbing challenges to suit all levels of ability, ranging from the strenuous exertion of a 9-day traverse of Gunung Tahan to a relatively gentle trek along the Klang Gates Quartz Ridge. The country's highest mountain and most popular is  Mt. Kinabalu at 4095 meters above sea level and is the tallest mountain in Borneo and one of the highest in South East Asia. Low’s Peak is the highest point and can be climbed without any special gear or training. It is a steep hike that involves the use of some guide ropes scrambling up and down the steepest parts. The hike is tough when done in one day but is richly rewarded by spectacular views.

Morocco is a country of rugged peaks and endless trails. The highest peaks in this North African state, which is dominated by the Rif mountain range in the north and Sahara Desert in the south, promise some of the world’s most spectacular views, making the hard work to get there more than worth it.

Towering over the Atlas Mountains in southwestern Morocco is Mount Toubkal the highest mountain in the country, standing at 4,167 meters tall and is also the tallest mountain in the Arab world.

Nepal hosts part of the Himalayas, the highest mountain range in the world. Eight of the fourteen eight-thousanders are located in the country, either in whole or shared across a border with China or India. Nepal needs little introduction to the rest of the world as it has the highest mountain in the world, Mount Everest at 8848 meters as well as 1310 peaks over 6.000 meters in height, it literally is the mountain top of the planet. Nepal hosts no fewer than 1,310 peaks above 6000 meters and in descending height from Everest are Kanchenjunga, Lhotse, Makalu, Cho Oyu, Dhaulagiri, Manaslu, and Annapurna. Whilst relatively few assent Everest many others each year achieve their lifetime ambition of reaching either Everest South or the North Base Camps. The South Base camp of which is situated and accessed from Nepal.

With almost 300 mountain peaks above 2,000 meters Norway hosts an array of challenging mountain climbs for both novice and experienced climbers. For centuries, Norwegians have used the mountains as a remedy for the stresses of modern life no matter what their social background, people migrate to the mountains slopes during weekends and holidays to enjoy the benefits of walking and their love of snow sports. Everyone in the country has free access to the countryside – as long as they show respect for nature. Norway’s highest mountain is Galdhøpiggen in the Jotunheimen National Park, towering 2,469 meters above sea level. At the western edge of the Hardangervidda mountain plateau and near the town of Odda, Trolltunga (the troll’s tongue) can be found. This ice age carving phenomenon can be found tucked away between fjords, villages and towns and affords the most beautiful and breathtaking rock formations in Norway. Resembling a protruding tongue seemingly jetting out of the rock face travelers from all over the world come to photograph themselves on or in front this most famous landmark.

South Africa boasts some absolutely exquisite and picturesque terrains and hiking in South Africa around the phenomenal mountain ranges is sure to be an unforgettable experience.

The Western Cape offers the most varied and interesting concentration of hiking trails in the world. Admire mystical mountain ranges including the renowned Table Mountain and the Cederberg. KwaZulu Natal offers the magnificent and renowned Drakensberg Mountain Range.  The Tsitsikamma coast offers the most popular hiking trails through lush forests, sandy beaches and magnificent mountains that all breathtaking views. The Otter Trail is probably the most popular hike in South Africa. Lush forests, rugged shorelines, mountain streams and waterfalls and fragrant fynbos make this an exceptional South African hiking experience.

Switzerland is famous for its Swiss Alps and plays the proud host of nearly all of the highest peaks in Western Europe. These stunning peaks have attracted climbers and tourists for hundreds of years. No wonder the Alps is such a popular hiking and trekking destination.

Many of these incredible peaks are famous throughout the world for their sheer beauty and iconic shapes. These highest peaks are Dufourspitze, or Monte Rosa as it is widely known (4,634 m), the Dom, which is the highest peak lying entirely within Switzerland (4,545 m), the Liskamm (4,527 m), the Weisshorn (4,506 m) and the most famous of them all are The Matterhorn (4,478 m) and Mont Blanc (4,807 m) which is located on the French-Italian border, although it’s eastern flanks are located entirely within Switzerland.

Tanzania is an East-African country with a beautiful tapestry of colors, flavors, and sights. Rich in wildlife, paradisiacal islands with sun-soaked beaches, there is so much more to Tanzania than what you’d expect. Within this exquisite land lies one of the world’s most famous and most climbed mountains, Kilimanjaro at a very formidable height of 5895 meters. The surrounding beauty of the mountain belays the gravity of the climb and the stamina required to reach its summit. Each year almost 30, 000 or more attempt to summit Kilimanjaro out of which around only 60% make it to the top.

Mount Meru at 4562 meters is the second highest mountain in Tanzania situated in Arusha National Park which is Tanzania’s second-highest peak is often lost in the shadow of Kilimanjaro, but these rugged slopes offer an exciting journey to its summit.

When we talk about the mountains of Tibet, the Himalayas and the highest mountain in the world Everest at 8848 meters will immediately come to mind. However, it is a lesser known fact that that the country also plays host to 10 of the 15 highest mountains in the world.

Whilst relatively few assent Everest many each year achieve their lifetime ambition of reaching either Everest South or the North Base Camps. The South Base camp of which is situated and accessed from Nepal and the North Base Camp reached from Tibet and is a considerably greater challenge as it requires a week long trek to reach the camp

At 8,516 meters (27,940 ft.), Lhotse is the fourth highest mountain on earth. Only Everest, K2, and Kangchengunga top Lhotse. The Tibetans refer to Lhotse as the "South Peak," and it is the literal meaning of the word "Lhotse."