When you think of inspiring landscapes, what's the first thing that comes to mind? Each person has different preferences, but most people immediately imagine mountain peaks.

For a person, craving for height is a natural desire. Majestic mountains remind us how small we are in this world. At the same time, when we look at the tops of the mountains, many of us imagine how they are standing there, looking at the world from above, which gives us a feeling of power. Climbers who accept the challenge of mountain peaks, climbing them, gain a very important life experience that changes the worldview.

Perhaps viewing photos of these most beautiful mountain peaks on the planet will help you find the courage to conquer the mountains in real life and enjoy the beautiful view from above.

Here are the 10 most beautiful mountains in the world:

1. Mount Matterhorn in Switzerland

This mountain peak is deservedly included in this list. While the beauty of the mountains is subjective, there is no doubt that the Matterhorn has all the necessary qualities to capture your imagination. The Matterhorn is easily recognizable, even if you've only seen it in photos. It is emblematic of the Swiss Alps, and is also very interesting and dangerous to climb. The weather on the Matterhorn is very unpredictable, which creates difficulties for climbers. The changeable weather certainly adds to the charm of the mountain.

2. Mount Denali, Alaska, USA

If you want to see a truly huge mountain that rises above the horizon like no other mountain, you have to take a trip to Mount Denali in Alaska. Many Denali tours include an amazing view of the mountain rising 6190 meters above the surface. Although it is not the highest mountain peak in the world, the dramatic difference in height from base to summit makes Denali look majestic. Even just looking at pictures of Denali, you can feel like a dwarf. Just imagine how you would feel if you stood at the foot and turned your gaze to the sky?

3. Mount Kirkjufell, Iceland

Kirkjufell isn't a particularly huge or tall mountain, but that doesn't really matter much. The mountain is famous for the view of its slopes, which give it the appearance of a man-made sculpture. The slopes are very steep, smooth, even and symmetrical. Thus, even though Kirkjufell is not a particularly large mountain, it has its own unique almost architectural beauty. It is one of Iceland's most recognizable landmarks and attracts thousands of tourists every year.

4. Table Mountain, South Africa

This mountain, like Kirkjufell, has a horizontal profile that does not reach a particular height. Despite this, Table Mountain is very pretty to admire, especially since it repeats the ocean coast. Its unique shape is unlike any other in the world and you will definitely recognize this mountain as soon as you look at it.

5. Mount Ama Dablam, Nepal

Mount Ama Dablam is amazing and has a unique appearance. Looking at it, you will notice that there are a number of sharply contrasting, unique angles in the rock. When the snow settles at its peak, you will be able to see these unusual angles better. Ama Dablam is one of the most beautiful mountains in the world, there is no doubt about it. It rises to 6856 meters above sea level.

6. Mount Eiger, Switzerland

Mount Eiger simply calls to admire it. Conquering its summit is quite a challenge, many climbers have died trying to do it.

7. Mount Machapuchare, Himalayas

This unusual mountain, located in the Himalayas, rises to 7000 meters above sea level and has a name that translates as "black fish". Its peaks are easily recognizable and pronounced, and the slope is quite steep. The snow-covered mountain makes for quite a spectacular sight.

8. Mount Mauna Loa, Hawaii

In terms of land area, this is the largest volcano on the planet, it occupies 5271 square kilometers and covers half of the Big Island. While gently sloping peaks don't have much height as measured by sea level, measurements from the sea floor show that Mount Mauna Loa has a height of 9168 meters - placing it in the top 10 tallest mountains in the solar system!

9. Mount Alpamayo, Peru

This stunning mountain rises sharply and its slopes are covered with vertical lines of ice. There is no other such mountain on the planet, which is characterized by a unique look and features. In a poll by the German magazine "1966 Alpinismus," it was voted the most beautiful mountain on the planet.

Beauty is a subjective concept, and there is no doubt that each of the peaks of a certain mountain is the most beautiful in the world. On every continent, there are contenders for the top spot, even Antarctica. If you need some inspiration, take a few minutes of your time to look at the photos of these stunning mountain peaks. May they lift you up and inspire you to conquer the peaks in your own life!

Few would have thought that the folds on the Earth's surface could create such phenomenal beauty? Mountains - from the mighty Himalayas to the Alps in Europe - create some of the most captivating landscapes in the world. Many people - climbers, travelers, skiers, athletes - are in love with mountains and simply cannot live without them. The mountain peaks are really spectacular, just look at our selection of the most beautiful mountain peaks in the world.

Matterhorn, Switzerland

The first successful ascent of the Matterhorn was by Edward Wumper, Francis Douglas, Charles Hudson, Douglas Hadow and Michel Crozat. Unfortunately, an accident on the descent led to their death. Height: 4478 m. First recorded ascent: July 14, 1865.
Alpamayo, Peru

3 The mountain was named “the most beautiful mountain in the world” by the German magazine Alpinismus in 1966, based on a survey of climbers and photographers. Its height is 5947 meters.

Damavend, Iran

4 The second highest volcano in Asia, Damavand, is famous from Persian mythology. Damavend is part of the volcanic chain (together with Kilimanjaro, Orizaba, Mount Sidley, Giluwe, Elbrus and Ojos del Salado). Height: 5610 meters. First ascent: 905.

Stetind, Norway

5 This distinctive peak was named Norway's "National Mountain" in a radio poll in 2002. Height: 1392 meters. First ascent: 1910

Cerro Torre, Argentina / Chile

6 Jagged peak is located in southern Patagonia. Height: 3,128 meters. First ascent: 1974

Licancabur, Chile / Bolivia

7 The hotel is located close to the magnificent green Laguna Verde and Licancabur may be the most volcanic looking volcano. Its height: 5920 measures. First ascent: 1884

Tre Cime di Lavaredo, Italy

8 Three distinctive peaks in the Dolomites: Cime Grande, Cime Ovest and Cima Piccola. Height: 2999 meters (Cime Grande). First ascent: 1869

Kirkjufell, Iceland

9 An interesting and magical peak on the north coast of the Snaefellsnes peninsula, Iceland. Height: 463 meters.

Laila Peak, Pakistan

10 This spear-mountain is located in Gilgit-Baltistan, where there are five mountains of the “eight-thousanders”, and more than fifty peaks with a height of more than 7000 meters. Height: 6096 meters.
First ascent: 1997

Mount Kailash, China

11 A Tibetan peak and an important pilgrimage site, the Chinese forbade attempts to climb the mountain. The great climber Reinhold Messner said: “If we conquer this mountain, then we will conquer something in the souls of people.” Height: 6,638 measures.

Eiger, Switzerland

12 This peak in the Swiss Alps was first climbed in 1858, but until July 24, 1938 no one had climbed the north side. Height: 3970 meters. First ascent: 1858

Roraima, Venezuela / Brazil

13 Meses or "Tepui" were first described by Walter and these peaks inspired the creators of the cartoon "Up" by Disney. Height: 2810 meters. First ascent: 1884

Machapuchare, Nepal

14 The mountain peak is closed to climbers due to its religious significance. Height: 6993 meters.

El Capitan, USA

15 A vertical rock in Yosemite National Park, it's a favorite for rock climbers and the park's signature feature.

Benbulben, Ireland

16 A striking rock formation in County Sligo. The gentle slopes make it easy to climb the southern slope. And the northern slope requires great skill. Height: 536 meters.

Mount Fitz Roy, Chile/Argentina

17 During the summer season, a hundred people can reach the summit of Everest in one day, but this spectacular peak in Patagonia is sometimes only conquered once. Climbers must overcome sheer granite cliffs, while the weather, and Fitz Roy's relative isolation, can also pose serious challenges. Height: 3405 meters. First ascent: 1952

Table Mountain, South Africa

18 An obvious choice that cannot be ignored. This is one of the biggest tourist attractions in Cape Town and one that you can climb all the way to the top. Height: 1084 meters. First ascent: 1503

McKinley / Denali, USA

19 The highest mountain not only in Alaska, but throughout North America with a height of 6,168 meters. First ascent: 1903

Black Cuillin, Scotland

20 This is not one peak, but a whole chain of mountain peaks with the highest peak Squirr Alistair at 992 meters above sea level. First ascent: 1873

December 11 is International Mountain Day. One of the most beautiful and amazing creations of nature, they have long amazed people with their mysterious beauty and bizarre shapes. Get to know the most beautiful and unusual mountains of our planet

Colored Mountains of China (Pink Cloud)

Tourists from all over the world come to the Chinese province of Gansu. The main local attraction is the Denxia (Pink Cloud) landscape. It is under this name that the colored mountains of China are known all over the world. The formation of this beauty began many millions of years ago as a result of the accumulation of a large amount of sandstone and other mineral deposits. Air and water contributed to the slow oxidation of rocks. This was the reason for such an unusual riot of colors.

Huangshan (Yellow Mountains)

Mountain range in eastern China. The area is known for its granite cliffs covered with pine trees, praised by Chinese artists and poets since ancient times. The height of seventy-seven peaks in this range exceeds 1000 m. The Huangshan area is included in the UNESCO World Heritage List and is a national park of the PRC. Mountains formed 100 million years ago. Later, the landscape was transformed under the influence of glaciers, which left rocks of various shapes. Since often the cloud level is below the level of mountain peaks, interesting lighting effects are observed in this area. Hot springs flow at the foot of one of the mountains.

Kailash

This mountain is located in the west of Tibet. Millions of years ago, Mount Kailash rose along with the plateau from the bottom of the ocean, and then water and wind honed its edges, giving it a pyramidal shape. Four world religions consider Kailash a sacred place. Hindus believe that the powerful god Shiva lives on Kailash. From the point of view of Eastern cosmology, Mount Kailash is the center through which the axis of the universe passes. Kailash is distinguished by a pyramidal shape with a snow cap, and the edges are oriented almost exactly to the cardinal points, its slopes are crossed by intricately located cracks that form a swastika. The exact height of the peak has not been determined, since the mountain "breathes" - every year its height changes by several tens of meters. It is believed that it is on the peak of Kailash that the entrance to the mysterious country of Shambhala is located.

Mount Roraima

This unusual, impregnable flat-topped mountain is located in Venezuela (South America). The landscapes that open from its top are impressive, since the channels of many streams are covered with quartz crystals of different colors for many kilometers. And the view of the mountain itself is breathtaking.

Grand Canyon

In the northwest of Arizona is one of the most unique corners of the Earth - the Grand Canyon. The Grand Canyon is neither the largest nor the deepest in the world - it is prized for its harmonious combination of size, depth, and multicolored rock outcrops. This is a whole complex of canyons, waterfalls, caves, towers, ledges and ravines. Each time the Grand Canyon looks different, and the sun and shadows from the passing clouds make the rocks constantly change shades of colors. The Grand Canyon is one of the most unusual places on our planet, which represents four geological eras of the Earth. Landslides, water and wind erosion created in the canyon the outlines of giant pagodas, pyramids, towers, fortifications, representing a unique sight.

Slope Coyote Bute, Arizona, USA

These mountains are on the border between Arizona and Utah. According to scientists, it was formed 190 million years ago. The slope of Coyote Bute is an undulating sandstone.

Bryce Canyon

This amazing canyon is part of the National Park of the same name. It is located in southwestern Utah. These are thousands of geological structures formed by long-term erosion under the influence of wind, water and ice. Many rocks have bizarre shapes.

devil's tower

This mysterious mountain is located in the northeast of Wyoming (USA). Its height is 386 m. The rock was formed 65 million years ago as a result of volcanic activity, and the unusual figured sides were the result of erosion of the surrounding soft rocks around the stronger internal ones. According to an Indian legend, the rock was created by an evil demon who beat a drum on its top, generating thunder and lightning. The Indians, who believed in the dark essence of the mountain and called it the Tower of the Bad God, preferred not to settle nearby and bypassed it. In the twentieth century, mystical theories of the origin of the rock were replaced by science fiction. So, according to one version, the top is a platform for UFO landings. This version was so popular that it was even embodied in Steven Spielberg's famous film Close Encounters of the Third Kind.

Tsingy de Bemaraha

Tsingy de Bemaraha - strange mountains resembling forests, a reserve located about 80 kilometers from the west coast of Madagascar. Most of these mountains are ridges of limestone battlements, in the Malagasy language they are called "scurvy" ("to walk on tiptoe"). Tsingy de Bemaraha is an almost impenetrable labyrinth. The mountains of Tsingy de Bemaraha were eroded by acid rain and water, which over the centuries had dissolved the chalk layers. Over time, this led to the formation of 30-meter limestone needles.

hanging rock

Hanging Rock is the informal name for Mount Diogenes in the center of the Australian state of Victoria near Melbourne. The height of the mountain is 718 meters above sea level and 105 meters above the level of the surrounding relief. Hanging Rock gained notoriety and popularity among tourists after the release of Peter Weir's mystical detective "Picnic at Hanging Rock" in 1975.

stone wave

An amazing rock formation in Western Australia is located 340 km from the city of Perth. Granite block resembles a stone tsunami. The visible part of the rock rises above the ground to a height of about 15 meters, and its length is 110 meters. According to the hypotheses of scientists, the rock-wave appeared more than 27 million years ago. Australian aborigines noted the similarity of the stone wave with real water and believed that it was in this place that the forces of spirits and the forces of nature intertwined. A dam was built to protect this unique mountain from natural destruction.

Cappadocia

The landscape of the Cappadocia Plateau in Turkey looks like the backdrop for a science fiction movie. An unusually beautiful landscape, located at an altitude of 1000 m above sea level, resembles the moon. Such bizarre-shaped hills formed ancient volcanoes. From the 4th to the 13th century AD, people cut tunnels and lived in these rocks. Today, tourists from all over the world tend to Cappadocia to see this ancient world with their own eyes.

Mountains occupy about a quarter of the surface of the planet Earth and even have their own holiday, which is celebrated on December 11th. They have different heights and landforms, but some of them amaze the imagination with bizarre shapes or spectacular appearance. We offer a selection of the most amazing mountains in the world. Each of them is unique in its own way, sometimes it is even hard to believe that they are the work of nature.

stone wave

In the west of Australia, in the Coyote Butts National Park, there is an amazing rock formation that has the shape of a beautiful frozen wave. Despite the rather modest size (the height of the mountain is 15 m, the length is 110 m), this place has always attracted the attention of people from all over the world. Scientists believe that the mountain was formed 27 million years ago from compressed multi-colored sandstone, and winds and precipitation gave it an unusual wavy shape with color transitions.

The incredible resemblance of the Stone Wave to a real tsunami was noticed by the Australian aborigines and believed that here the forces of spirits are combined with the forces of nature.

Danxia landscape

In the province of Gansu (China) there are amazing colored mountains, which tourists from all over the world come to admire. A unique local landmark, also known as the Pink Cloud, began to form millions of years ago, when large massifs of sandstone and other minerals accumulated here. Over time, exposure to water and air led to their slow oxidation, as a result of which today one can observe a riot of colors created by nature itself. The mountain slopes shimmer with lemon, burgundy, terracotta, blue and green hues.

Denxia is included in the UNESCO World Heritage List and everyone can visit this unusual place.

Weathering pillars (Manpupuner)

Amazing mountains can be seen in Russia. In the Komi Republic there is such an unusual formation, which is included in the list of the Seven Wonders of Russia. In its place, more than 200 million years ago, high mountain peaks stretched, which were gradually destroyed by winds and precipitation, leaving to this day only a few vertical pillars of bizarre outlines. Particularly striking is the fact that, despite the narrower bases compared to the tops, they have been standing for several millennia and do not collapse. It is not surprising that the Mansi worshiped grandiose stone statues in the past, but climbing them was considered a great sin.

To get to this miracle of nature today, tourists must first issue a pass to the Pechoro-Ilychsky Reserve, and then overcome a rather difficult route.

Tsingy de Bemaraha

Unique mountains resembling a stone forest are located on the territory of the national park of the same name on about. Madagascar. They are stone needles 30-50 m high, from which impenetrable labyrinths are formed. Most of them are formed from limestone: millions of years ago, narrow and deep karst caves appeared deep underground, and later water and erosion eroded the chalk and limestone layers for centuries, creating amazing mountains that have no analogues in the whole world.

Groundwater continues to change their appearance today: periodically, the rocks are eroded and new spiers and deep gorges appear.

Kailash

Kailash - one of the peaks in the Western part of the Tibetan Plateau, once rose from the bottom of the ocean, and then the winds with water turned its edges, forming a unique pyramid shape.

It is one of the most amazing and mystical mountains in the world. And that's why:

• Hindus consider this place the home of the supreme god Shiva;
• followers of Eastern cosmology perceive it as the center where the axis of the universe passes;
• there are cracks on its surface, which, when viewed from above, form a swastika;
• its faces almost exactly point to the 4 cardinal directions;
• it is believed that the height of the mountain is 6,666 km. (but this indicator changes annually, since Kailash “breathes”) and Stonehenge and the North Pole are located at the same distance from it.

Conder

Konder is another amazing mountain, which is located on the territory of the Khabarovsk Territory of Russia. Its uniqueness lies in the fact that it is the only mountain formation with an almost perfect round shape, the appearance of which is not associated with the results of volcanic activity.

Konder is considered a sacred place by the Yakuts and Evenks. But, unfortunately, for tourists it remains inaccessible. Firstly, because of the complex surrounding landscape, and secondly, because of the platinum deposit located here, which is strictly protected by the state.

Matterhorn

The famed Matterhorn is one of the most photographed sights in Switzerland. This symbol of the country has also become the logo of the world-famous triangular-shaped chocolate brand Toblerone. The pyramid-shaped mountain has steep slopes, which, together with unpredictable weather conditions, makes it difficult to conquer. But despite this, the famous Swiss climber Ulrich Inderbiden managed to climb its summit 371 times, with the last climb he made at 90 years old.

Interesting! On July 14, 1865, people first set foot on the top of the Matterhorn. But every year on this day, climbing the mountain is closed to everyone in memory of the climbers who died on the way to conquer it.

bryce canyon

These are not just amazing mountains, but a national park located in the US state of Utah. The first glance at the canyon evokes associations with alien landscapes: vertical formations with pointed peaks coexist next to stone pyramids of cosmic forms. According to ancient Indian legends, people who committed any bad deeds turned into rocks at this place.

Tourists from all over the world prefer to admire this stone beauty at sunset, when its rays create an unusual play of reflections and shadows. The rocks themselves were formed about 15 million years ago, and then erosion erased a thick layer of sedimentary rocks, leaving fantastic stone pillars. Due to the content of a large number of trace elements, which are gradually oxidized, they are colored in orange, red and white.

Khoja Mumin

Despite its unremarkable appearance, Khoja Mumin, located in the south of Tajikistan, is rightfully one of the most amazing mountains in the world. It almost entirely consists of salt, the reserves of which, according to geologists, will be enough to meet the needs of all mankind for several centuries. Pale pink, gray and green-blue rock salt appears on its slopes. Only certain areas of the surface are covered with a thin layer of soil, which appeared here due to dust particles blown by the winds. In ancient times, there was a salty sea in this place, which gradually dried up, salt layers were squeezed at its bottom, and then, as a result of tectonic processes, they were raised up, forming Khoja-Mumin.

Amazing fact! Numerous and diverse plants grow on the top of the salt mountain, freshwater springs gush, and in springtime you can see a whole carpet of red tulips here.

devil's tower

A mountain with a mystical name, located in the northeastern part of Wyoming (USA), is shrouded in no less mystical legends and stories. According to Indian legends, it was created by an evil demon who beat a drum on its top, spewing lightning and thunder, and in the 20th century. it has been called a UFO landing site.

The amazing mountain looks like a bundle of narrow vertical pillars put together, which were formed more than 60 million years ago as a result of volcanic activity, and then were carved by erosion. Sheer cliffs make the Devil's Tower an almost impregnable target for climbers. So far, people have managed to conquer its peak only 2 times.

4.01.2019 at 04:23 · oksioksi · 1 670

10 most beautiful mountains in the world

There are two things on planet Earth that overwhelm us with their power, inspire awe, delight in immensity, but at the same time amaze us with their endless, delightful beauty. One of them is the sea.

But there are people who are practically indifferent to the sea. They are much more impressed and inspired by another grandiose natural phenomenon - mountains. Tall, powerful, with sparkling snow caps on the tops, with sharp, sharp arrows of rocks rushing to the sky. Or low, green, sometimes as if "velvet", with smoothed, smooth lines. Wild and deserted, or, on the contrary, carefully sheltering neat houses, “walking” clean and well-groomed cows and melancholic lambs in bright meadows. Any mountains are wonderful. Any mountains are charming. Have you seen the sunset or sunrise in the mountains? It's fantastic! So let's get acquainted with the most beautiful mountain ranges in the world.

Let's make a reservation right away - this "ten" does not claim to be the ultimate truth. As they say, the taste and color - all felt-tip pens are different. Of course, you may not agree with our choice (they say: “Where are the Himalayas? And the Andes? And the mountains of Iceland, similar to Martian landscapes? Where, after all, are our Urals and Kamchatka with its volcanoes?”). But on the other hand, it is shared by millions of tourists who annually visit these beautiful natural sites.

10. Altai

Anyone who has ever been to Altai, seen the turquoise waters of the swiftly running Katun and the beautiful Biya meandering between the mountain ranges, drove along the picturesque Chuisky tract, climbed the Chike-Taman or Katu-Yaryk pass and admired the snowy mountain peaks from there, in some places covered with thick clouds, he will definitely come back here again. Altai is located on the border of four countries at once: Russia, Mongolia, China and Kazakhstan.

The name "Altai", according to the most common version, means "Golden Mountains". There are several reserves here (where there are animals and plants that are not found anywhere else in the world), dozens of marals, as well as the famous Ukok plateau - a UNESCO World Heritage Site - it is in these places that a huge number of ancient archaeological sites have been discovered (at one time Altai was "crossroads" of movement of various nomadic tribes). The heart of Altai is Belukha (height 4509 m) - one of the most beautiful peaks on our planet, which people from all over the world come to conquer.

9. Pyrenees

The Pyrenees are located on the territory of France, Spain and small but proud Andorra. They stretch from the Bay of Biscay of the Atlantic to the Mediterranean Sea for a distance of 450 km. These are not the highest mountains (the highest peak of the Pyrenees - Aneto - rises "only" by 3404 m), but they are one of the most inaccessible. There are only a few more or less convenient passes here (and all of them are at an altitude of 1500-2000 meters). Therefore, there are only 4 railways from France to Spain, two of which go around the Pyrenees along the coast, and two more pass through a system of tunnels along the lowest region of the mountains.

However, tourists who prefer outdoor activities - rock climbing, mountaineering, speleology, skiing, etc. the Pyrenees are very fond of, because in these mountains there is a huge variety of beautiful waterfalls, picturesque gorges, deep caves and ancient glaciers, and their climate is not too harsh.

8. Tatras

The Tatras are sometimes considered a separate mountain system, but more often they are called the highest part of the Carpathians. In fact, these are really the same mountains stretching through a good half of Eastern and Central Europe: from Ukraine through Poland, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, Romania and Serbia to Austria itself. It's just that part of them, which is called the High Tatras (length - 26 km), differs markedly from the neighboring mountain ranges in appearance - they are more rocky, more severe. The climate of the Tatras is similar to the Alpine one - the weather here also changes often, there are sharp temperature changes, in winter there is a lot of snow that does not melt until May-June, and in some places it lies all year round. The highest point of the High Tatras is the peak of Gerlachovski-Shtit, which rises to a height of 2655 m.

The Tatras are located on the border of Poland and Slovakia. On both sides, national reserves are organized here, protecting unique landscapes, as well as rare animals living in this territory. Nevertheless, since there are 85 fabulously beautiful lakes in the Tatras, many waterfalls, as well as hot thermal springs, and many peaks “polished” by glaciers have a very bizarre shape, tourism is well developed here. The most famous mountain resort of the Tatras is Zakopane (Poland).

7. Dolomites

This mountain range is part of the Eastern Alps and is located in northeastern Italy (the length is about 150 km). The attractions of the Dolomites are not only the most beautiful landscapes - picturesque peaks, cozy valleys, fragrant pine forests - but also medieval castles, popular ski resorts and even an open-air museum dedicated to the battles of Italians and Austrians that took place here during the First World War. In these places, festivals are often held with folk songs and dances, as well as tasting of national dishes.

The highest peak of the Dolomites is Mount Marmolada (3342 m), but the most popular are the 3 mountain peaks of Cime di Lavoredo, the highest of which reaches 2999 m. The most breathtaking views open from there.

By the way, more than 50 species of orchids bloom in the Dolomites in spring. Just imagine this beauty!

6. Caucasus

Quite deservedly, the Caucasus, which separates Europe from Asia, belongs to the most beautiful mountains in the world (but, of course, no one will show you the exact place where Europe ends and Asia begins). The Caucasus Mountains are conditionally divided into two mountain systems - the Greater Caucasus and the Lesser Caucasus. Several countries are located here (Georgia, Armenia, Azerbaijan and part of Russia), and there are more than 50 peoples who speak Caucasian, Indo-European and even Altaic languages. There are several climatic zones in the Caucasus (which depend on both altitude and latitude and the location of a particular area). And here is very rich flora and fauna.

The Caucasus Mountains have a significant height: 8 peaks rise more than 5 thousand meters up, the largest of them is Elbrus (5642 m). Therefore, you can always meet professional climbers here. And, by the way, among them, not Elbrus, but Koshtantau peak (5152 m) is recognized as the most dangerous and difficult to conquer. It was he, among all other Caucasian mountains, who took the most lives.

5. Teton

The Teton (or Teton) mountain range is part of the American Rocky Mountains, stretching for 4830 km from the northern point of British Columbia (Canada) to the state of New Mexico in the southwestern United States. Most of the Teton Range is located in Wyoming, its length is more than 300 km, and its width is 162 km. The highest mountain - Grand Teton - rises to 4199 m above sea level.

A significant part of these picturesque mountains is occupied by the national park, which also bears the name of Grand Teton. (By the way, if anyone is wondering what the word “Teton” means, this is the name of a once very large group of Indian tribes, they are also Lakota Sioux, who lived in these places until the “white people” came.) On the territory of the national park there are numerous lakes (the largest of them - Jackson - stretched 24 km long), rivers, streams and waterfalls. Its nature has been preserved almost intact. It has an excellent tourist infrastructure (320 km of convenient hiking trails, more than 1000 campsites, etc.). By the way, just 16 km to the north is another national park - the famous Yellowstone.

4. Bernese Alps

To the southeast of the capital of Switzerland - the city of Bern - stretches a mountain range of rare beauty - the Bernese Alps. They occupy the territory of the canton of Bern, as well as part of the cantons of Valais, Fribourg, Vaud, Lucerne, Nidwalden and Uri (almost 8 thousand square km). We can say that this is the real "ice heart" of the Alps. There are about 300 glaciers of various sizes here. In winter, these places, of course, are a traditional place of pilgrimage for ski lovers (by the way, for more than 100 years). But in general, you can relax here all year round - in addition to the glaciers in the Bernese Alps, there are many other beautiful landscapes. For example, in summer, crowds of tourists visit the Constance and Brienz lakes, the Staubbach waterfall, etc.

The highest peak of the Bernese Alps is Finsteraarhorn (4274 m), but three picturesque mountains located nearby are more popular among tourists and climbers - Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau (respectively, 3970, 4107 and 4158 meters). On the Jungfrau there is an observation deck with a circular view of the mountains and the Aletsch glacier.

3. Southern Alps

No, these are not the Alps that many are now thinking about - not a ski area on the border of France and Italy. These incredibly, simply unbelievably beautiful mountains stretch across the entire South Island of New Zealand (more than 500 km). You could already admire them without even knowing it. Here's a hint: The cult film trilogy The Lord of the Rings. There are about 360 glaciers in these mountains, many high-mountain lakes with turquoise or emerald water (some of which even icebergs float - just imagine this sight!). Most of the Southern Alps are occupied by national parks. The highest peak is Mount Cook (3754 m) or, in the Maori language, Aoraki.

By the way, the climate to the west and east of this mountain range is completely different: on the west coast of the South Island it is cold and humid, and on the east coast it is one of the warmest and sunniest in the country. The mountains are to blame for this.

2 Sierra Nevada

The name Sierra Nevada means "snowy mountains" in Spanish. This mountain range, stretched across the entire eastern part of the state of California, is a fragment of the North American Cordillera and stretches for about 750 km. The most important peak is Whitney Peak (4421 m). On the territory of the Sierra Nevada there are the most beautiful national parks Yosemite and Sequoia, as well as the picturesque alpine Lake Tahoe (located at an altitude of 1897 m, area - 489 square km), Kings and Kern canyons, the Hetch-Hetchy valley, etc.

Another famous attraction of the Sierra Nevada mountains and Yosemite Park is the granite monolith mountain El Capitan (2307 m). Climbing to its top is a matter of honor for many professional climbers. This is a difficult task - El Capitan has almost sheer walls with a small number of ledges. However, it was from this mountain that the founder of base jumping Carl Boenisch and his team made their first jumps. And on its eastern side is the famous "fiery" waterfall "Horse's Tail" (whose height is 650 meters).

1 Canadian Rockies

As some tourists write in reviews about these places: "Don't forget to breathe!"

The Canadian Rockies are the northernmost part of the Cordillera. They stretch across the western part of Canada from north to south for more than 600 km. The flora and fauna here are not very diverse (due to the rather harsh climate), but in the mountains you can easily meet a grizzly bear (yes, this is not at all an artistic fiction of filmmakers). The highest peak is Mount Robson (3959 m).

There are 5 national parks in the Rocky Mountains. One of them - Banff Park - is perhaps Canada's most famous and truly stunning glacial lake - the turquoise Moraine. In general, there are many hundreds of lakes, rivers, waterfalls, thermal springs, etc. here. Jasper National Park is famous for another attraction - the huge snow-white Athabasca Glacier. And on the border of the provinces of Alberta and British Columbia, you can admire the "Matterhorn of the Rocky Mountains" - one of the most beautiful peaks in the world, Assiniboine (3618 m), which received this nickname for its pyramidal shape, which is very similar to the Matterhorn.