There are few more rewarding feelings than standing atop a mountain summit. Breathing the crisp, clean air and gazing at the trail you just conquered to reach this point offers a feeling of accomplishment and peace not achieved anywhere else.
With no shortage of peaks and ranges throughout much of the world, it’s naturally difficult to choose just a few of our suggestions for favorited mountainous destinations. But if you count yourself a mountain lover, here are our picks for the five places you can't miss.
Zion National Park, Utah, U.S.
Formed over the course of 250 million years, southern Utah’s Zion National Park is arguably one of the most enchanting and magnificent natural landscapes in the western hemisphere. What was once a shallow sea helped create the Virgin River valley, and the former sand deserts contributed to the creation of the park’s 2,000-foot-tall Navajo sandstone cliffs. Encompassed in Zion’s 232 square miles are plateaus, sandstone canyons, more than 1,000 plant species, and hundreds of birds and animals.
There is no shortage of trails to explore, from easy sloping hikes to steeper treks. The park is a spectacle at any time of the year, although in the wintertime, certain trails may be closed. Also, keep in mind that some trails may require permits, and that summers are particularly busy.
Mount Tallac, California, U.S.
Located a short drive from the southern rim of Lake Tahoe, the Sierra Mountains’ Mount Tallac, towers 9,735 feet above the famed lake. Together with Emerald Bay, Floating Island Lake, and Fallen Leaf Lake, it forms the federally-protected Desolation Wilderness area. There's no better place to view the vast and serene lake than from the summit, and you'll also be treated to views of sprawling forests and craggy rocks. The hike is no picnic, and should only be undertaken by experienced hikers, but the views are worth the sweat.
The recommended times to visit are between June and September, as heavy snowfall is a major issue for much of the rest of the year. Additionally, although permits are required to ascend Mount Tallac, they are free to obtain at the self-serve area of the trailhead.
Shirakoma Lake and Environs, Minami Saku, Japan
While skiers tend to congregate in the northern prefecture of Hokkaido, famed for its powdery slopes, hikers and visitors looking to bask in a more peaceful spot should head to the Minami Saku district, a couple hours outside Tokyo.
There, in the North Yatsugatake Mountains at around 6,889 feet in elevation, youl'l find Shirakoma Lake. This serene lake is particularly fascinating during the fall foliage time, when maples and other trees astride the lake produce beautiful reflections. But what’s even better about this small yet pristine lake is that the main entrance takes visitors by a koke no mori, or moss forest. Coupled with the vibrant autumn colors, and you’ve got a natural one-two punch that makes this small area another gem in the scenic Japanese Alps region.
Congo Nile Trail, Rwanda
Rwanda is known as the country of 1000 hills, so take a break from those massive vertical climbs and go at it more gradually.
Case-in-point: the Congo Nile Trail. Located along the eastern side of Lake Kivu, Africa’s sixth-largest lake, the 141-mile Congo Nile Trail is an underappreciated spot for nature fanatics, with endless sloping hills to boot. Walk, jog, or bike by rare patches of tropical rainforest, coffee and banana plantations, and visit Rubavu, a lakeside escape known for its British colonial mansions and regionally trendy bars. And unlike the immensely popular Volcanoes National Park with its gorilla-viewing and expensive permits, anyone can hop on the Congo Nile Trail.
Dolomites, Italy
Of course, everyone knows the Swiss Alps and the French Pyrenees, but somehow Italy's Dolomites often get overlooked when it comes to European mountain getaways. Most visitors to Italy stick to the south, preferring to island-hop along the Mediterranean or wander the ruins of Rome and Florence. But if you travel to the nation's northern border, you'll find yourself in a mountain wonderland.
The Dolomites stretch over 60 miles east to west, reaching elevations of over 10,000 feet. Craggy gray peaks dusted with snow offer a dramatic background to charming Alpine villages like Bolzano and Cortina D'Ampezzo. And if you have any interest in history, be sure to check out the WWII-era bunkers and trails left over from some of the most treacherous fighting of the war.
