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World's Greatest Ranges

Mixed

In-depth guides to the world's most iconic mountain ranges. Explore the peaks, routes, culture, and logistics of each range.

20 guides in this series

  1. 1

    The Himalayas: The Complete Guide to the Roof of the World

    The Himalayas stretch 2,400 km across five countries and contain all 14 of the world's 8,000-meter peaks. This guide covers the range's geology, major sub-ranges, key peaks from Everest to Annapurna, trekking regions, cultural significance to Hindu and Buddhist traditions, and practical information for planning your first Himalayan adventure.
  2. 2

    The Alps: Europe's Crown Jewel Mountain Range

    The Alps stretch across eight countries and offer the widest range of mountain experiences on Earth — from gentle wildflower walks in Austria to the lethal North Face of the Eiger. This guide profiles the major Alpine sub-ranges, iconic peaks, classic routes like the Tour du Mont Blanc, and the hut system that makes multi-day trekking uniquely accessible.
  3. 3

    The Andes: The Longest Mountain Range on Earth

    The Andes run the entire length of South America — the longest continental mountain range on Earth. Home to Aconcagua (the highest peak outside Asia), ancient Inca ruins, active volcanoes, and the driest desert on Earth, the Andes offer an extraordinary diversity of mountain experiences. This guide covers the full range from tropical north to glacial south.
  4. 4

    The Rocky Mountains: North America's Backbone from New Mexico to Alaska

    The Rocky Mountains form the spine of North America, stretching from New Mexico to northern British Columbia. This guide covers the major sections — the Colorado 14ers, Wyoming's Grand Teton, Montana's Glacier Country, and the Canadian Rockies — along with national parks, wildlife, and the outdoor culture that defines the American West.
  5. 5

    The Appalachians: America's Oldest Mountains and the AT

    The Appalachians are among the oldest mountains on Earth — once taller than the Himalayas, now worn to gentle peaks perfect for hiking. Home to the Appalachian Trail, Great Smoky Mountains, Blue Ridge Parkway, and vibrant fall foliage, this range is the most accessible mountain experience in eastern North America.
  6. 6

    The Atlas Mountains: North Africa's Trekking Paradise

    The Atlas Mountains of Morocco offer affordable, culturally rich trekking with North Africa's highest peak, Jebel Toubkal, at 4,167 meters. This guide covers the High Atlas, Middle Atlas, and Anti-Atlas ranges, Berber culture, the Toubkal climbing route, and why the Atlas is one of the best-value mountain destinations in the world.
  7. 7

    The Caucasus: Europe's Highest Peaks Between the Black and Caspian Seas

    The Caucasus contains Europe's highest peak (Mount Elbrus, 5,642m) and offers some of the most rugged, least-visited mountain terrain on the continent. This guide covers the Greater and Lesser Caucasus, climbing Elbrus, trekking in Georgia's Svaneti region, and the geopolitical complexities that make this range both challenging and rewarding.
  8. 8

    The Karakoram: Home to K2 and the World's Greatest Glaciers

    The Karakoram is the most extreme mountain range on Earth — home to K2, four other 8,000-meter peaks, and the longest glaciers outside the polar regions. This guide covers the range's fearsome reputation, its great peaks, the Baltoro Glacier trek, the Karakoram Highway, and why this range attracts the world's most ambitious mountaineers.
  9. 9

    The Tian Shan: Central Asia's Celestial Mountains

    The Tian Shan — "Celestial Mountains" in Chinese — stretch 2,500 km across Central Asia through Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, and China. Home to Khan Tengri's marble pyramid and Jengish Chokusu (Pobeda Peak), this remote range offers world-class mountaineering with almost no crowds. This guide covers the range's geography, key peaks, and growing trekking scene.
  10. 10

    The Scandinavian Mountains: From Norway's Fjords to Arctic Peaks

    The Scandinavian Mountains (Scandes) run 1,700 km from northern Norway to central Sweden, offering a unique combination of maritime climate, midnight sun, and Arctic wilderness. This guide covers Norway's iconic peaks, Sweden's Kungsleden trail, Lofoten's dramatic ridges, and why Scandinavian "allemansratten" (right to roam) makes this the most accessible wilderness in Europe.
  11. 11

    The Japanese Alps: Kita, Minami, and Chuo — Japan's Mountain Heart

    The Japanese Alps — Northern (Kita), Southern (Minami), and Central (Chuo) — offer a unique mountain experience blending rugged 3,000-meter peaks with world-class mountain hut hospitality. This guide covers the major peaks, the famous Tateyama-Kamikochi traverse, Japanese hiking culture, and the onsen (hot spring) tradition that makes every descent a reward.
  12. 12

    Korean Mountains: The Complete Guide to Korea's Mountain Culture

    South Korea has more hikers per capita than any country on Earth, and its mountains — though modest in height — offer spectacular ridgelines, cultural richness, and accessibility unmatched worldwide. This guide covers the major national park mountains, Korean hiking culture, the famous ajumma hikers, and why Korean mountains deserve a place on every hiker's bucket list.
  13. 13

    The Pyrenees: The Mountain Border Between France and Spain

    The Pyrenees stretch 430 km from the Atlantic to the Mediterranean, forming the natural border between France and Spain. Often overshadowed by the Alps, the Pyrenees offer wilder terrain, fewer crowds, and a distinct Franco-Spanish mountain culture. This guide covers the major peaks, the GR10 and GR11 long-distance trails, and the Pyrenean experience.
  14. 14

    The Carpathians: Europe's Wild Arc from Romania to Slovakia

    The Carpathians arc 1,500 km across Central and Eastern Europe, harboring Europe's largest populations of bears, wolves, and lynx. From Romania's Transylvanian Alps to Slovakia's High Tatras, this underrated range offers pristine wilderness, affordable trekking, and a Gothic atmosphere no other mountains can match.
  15. 15

    The Drakensberg: South Africa's Dragon Mountains

    The Drakensberg — "Dragon Mountains" in Afrikaans — form a dramatic 1,000 km escarpment along South Africa's eastern edge. Rising to 3,482m at Thabana Ntlenyana, the range offers spectacular basalt amphitheaters, ancient San rock art, and some of Africa's best multi-day hiking. This guide covers the major sections and planning essentials.
  16. 16

    The Great Dividing Range: Australia's 3,500 km Mountain Spine

    The Great Dividing Range runs 3,500 km along Australia's eastern coast — the fourth-longest mountain range on Earth. While modest in height (Mount Kosciuszko at 2,228m), the range offers remarkable biodiversity, from tropical rainforest to alpine snowfields. This guide covers the major sections, classic walks, and the unique challenges of hiking in the Australian bush.
  17. 17

    New Zealand's Southern Alps: Aoraki and the Great Walks

    New Zealand's Southern Alps run 500 km along the South Island, crowned by Aoraki/Mount Cook at 3,724m. With glaciers reaching nearly to sea level, the world's best Great Walks, and a mountaineering history shaped by Edmund Hillary, the Southern Alps punch far above their modest elevation. This guide covers everything from tramping to technical climbing.
  18. 18

    The Scottish Highlands: Munros, Mist, and Mountain Lore

    The Scottish Highlands may lack Himalayan altitude, but they compensate with ferocious weather, navigational challenges, and a mountain culture stretching back centuries. This guide covers the Munro bagging tradition, key peaks like Ben Nevis and the Cuillin Ridge, winter climbing, and why Scotland's mountains are the proving ground for mountaineers heading to bigger ranges.
  19. 19

    The Ural Mountains: The Ancient Boundary Between Europe and Asia

    The Ural Mountains form the traditional boundary between Europe and Asia, running 2,500 km from the Arctic Ocean to Kazakhstan. Ancient (300+ million years old), low (highest peak 1,895m), and remote, the Urals offer a wilderness experience unlike any other European mountains. This guide covers the major sections, the Dyatlov Pass mystery, and practical planning.
  20. 20

    East African Mountains: Kilimanjaro, Kenya, Rwenzori, and the Volcanic Giants

    East Africa's mountains are geological marvels — isolated volcanic giants and ancient block mountains rising from the savanna. From Kilimanjaro's glaciers to Mount Kenya's technical peaks and the Rwenzori's "Mountains of the Moon," this guide covers Africa's most dramatic mountain cluster and the unique experience of climbing near the equator.