The world’s best destinations for mountaineering

Ready to reach new heights on your next trip? We looked through endorsements from international travellers to identify the world’s best destinations for mountaineering.

The High Tatras in Prešov Region, Slovakia

The High Tatras is a shared mountain range stretching along the northern border of Slovakia and the southern border of Poland. With both sides of the Tatras offering mesmerising woodland and lake views as well as alpine lodges, international travellers have endorsed the Prešov Region of Slovakia as their favourite area for mountaineering.

Part of the Prešov Region’s appeal is attributed to the National Park of Tatras, a protected stretch of mountain-top woodland credited as the tallest park in Europe. Hiking through the forest surrounded by nothing but birdsong, it’s easy to feel like you’ve escaped to a previously undiscovered Arcadia.

Sallanches in Rhône-Alpes, France

The iconic Mont Blanc is visible from all over Sallanches, to the point where it’s almost impossible to get a room without a mountain view. This Haute-Savoie commune is often seen as a pit stop rather than a destination in its own right. Recently however, climbers and mountaineers have come around to the delight (and convenience) of Sallanches.

Part of this upsurge in interest is Sallanches’ location in the Arve Valley, which is fast becoming a thriving tech hub. Visitors to the town have easy access to some of the regions most challenging and picturesque climbing routes and the Aiguille du Midi.

Nallathanniya in the Nuwara Eliya District, Sri Lanka

Adam’s Peak has been a site of religious pilgrimage for over 1,700 years. Considered by many Christians to be the first place Adam set foot on Earth, Buddhists also make the same claim for Buddha. Despite this long history and serving as a gateway to the mountain, the hamlet of Nallathanniya is very remote and isolated from the rest of Sri Lanka.

Surrounded by verdant tea plantations, the mountain scenery is gorgeous and choosing the right place to stay is key. The Glass Rooms Accommodations offer bike and car hire along with the all-important free parking. They also have a restaurant (options to pop out and pick up a snack are practically non-existent) and a children’s playground to keep young mountaineers entertained.

Vent in Tirol, Austria

Vent may be a small village, but it is a hub of activity and mountaineering history. One of the original founders of the German Alpine Club lived in Vent, and many of the first mountaineering trails in Tirol started from this alpine village. The routes up Mount Similaun, Mount Weißkugel and Wildspitze (the highest mountain in the Ötztal Alps) begin from Vent.

The grassy slopes of Vent quickly give way to rugged alpine terrain and in the summer, the peaks surrounding the mountains help maintain warm temperatures. The atmosphere is perfect for exploring the nearby Ötztal Nature Park, and many local accommodations offer free guided hikes such as the Appartement Wildspitz.