An overview of the top mountain treks around the globe

Mountain trekking has to be one of the most accessible and fun active holidays on offer, with a huge wealth of destinations to choose from if you’re up for this kind of challenge. What I especially like about this sort of active break is that you don’t need to do any specialist training to enjoy it – you simply need to be fit.

And as there are so many fantastic destinations for mountain hiking, you’ll never be short of places to visit, even if you’ve been going on this kind of holiday for years. If you’re looking for a new challenge to take on, check out my suggestions of some of the top mountain treks to consider – there are lots more ideas here.

Kilimanjaro climb

Mount Kilimanjaro is the world’s highest walkable peak, which makes it an absolute must for anyone who’s keen on mountain trekking. The wonderful thing about the Kili climb, though, is that there are six routes to the summit, so even if it’s something you’ve done before, you can mix it up and complete the challenge more than once without feeling as though you’re going over old ground.

The Shira route, which approaches from the west, and the Rongai route, which comes in from the north, are two of the best options if you’re looking for a real wilderness experience on the slopes of this impressive African peak, though.

 

 

Torres del Paine trek

Torres del Paine National Park is a wild and rugged area in South America, more specifically in Patagonia – a territory owned partly by Argentina and partly by Chile. Hiking here won’t see you climb any mountains, but you will be surrounded by them and you couldn’t ask for a more spectacular backdrop.

The spires of Torres del Paine, which jut out of the ground to more than 2,000 m high and are almost vertical, are among the most impressive sights you’ll encounter. However, there’s plenty more to see during a hiking trip here, including gorgeous emerald lakes, beautiful swathes of forest and the vast Perito Moreno glacier with its unusual and otherworldly ice formations.

Tour du Mont Blanc

You don’t have to jet halfway around the world to find spectacular mountain trekking though, as there are some excellent spots right on your doorstep, most notably in the European Alps. The Tour du Mont Blanc is one of the most famous hiking routes in the region, with this trail passing through France, Switzerland and Italy.

The biggest appeal of this trail is the stunning views you get of Mont Blanc – the tallest peak in western Europe at 4,807 m high. It also serves as a fantastic introduction to the majesty of the Alps, with walkers crossing several high mountain passes over the course of a week, as well as passing through stunning valleys featuring wildflower meadows and quaint villages.

Annapurna Sanctuary

For many hikers, the main aim of a trekking trip to Nepal is to reach Everest Base Camp, but there are many other fantastic trails you can follow in the country. One of the most outstanding has to be the Annapurna Sanctuary hike, which leads you into a breathtaking natural amphitheatre that’s made up of peaks more than 7,000 m high.

The route that leads you to this incredible sight runs through a valley filled with rhododendron and oak forests and dotted by traditional villages. As you walk you’ll have tantalising glimpses of the peaks, but it’s not until you enter the sanctuary itself and take a moment to look up that you’ll really be hit by their beauty.

This is a wonderful opportunity to discover a different side of Nepal and to see some of the most spectacular Himalayan mountains in all their glory at close quarters.