Introduction
When we talk about great mountains, names such as Mount Everest and K-2 usually come to mind. However, there are plenty of great summits that anyone with a decent level of fitness can conquer. Instead of the highest and the most challenging mountains, this post focuses on the top 10 mountains anyone willing to put some effort into mountaineering can climb.
With that being said, these summits are neither a piece of cake nor can they be conquered without a certain level of physical fitness and preparation. Surprisingly, some of these mountains are even technically higher than the world’s tallest mountain i.e. Mount Everest.
Like everything else, it’s best to start small with your mountain adventures. If you have your eyes set on climbing big mountains, you need to get some valuable experience and essential mountaineering skills. Most of the mountains covered here provide a good starting point and provide the essential experience needed before moving onto more challenging climbs.
The list only includes some of the popular mountains to give readers an idea of what to expect in different regions. If you are more interested in camping, you might also want to have a look at the top five camping locations.
Top 10 Mountains to Climb (From Highest to Lowest in Altitude)
Aconcagua
- Summit: 6,962 meters / 22,841 feet
- Located in Mendoza – Argentina
- 8 to 10 days in, out and acclimatization hike
- 7 days needed to reach the summit
- Best time to climb: November to March
- What’s so special about it: The highest trekking peal in the world and the highest outside the Himalayan range
Being world’s highest trekking peak and also the highest outside the Himalayas, Aconcagua demands some preparation and a certain level of fitness to climb. The ‘normal route’ is more suitable for hikers who have the basic climbing experience, but they still need to be prepared and equipped with appropriate clothing and other equipment usually needed for Himalayan ascents.
Aconcagua is considered to be the world’s toughest trekking summit and is not for the faint hearted. That’s why only about 3,500 adventurers attempt to climb it every year, while only 40% of them actually make it to the summit.
Mera Peak
- Summit: 6,476 meters / 21,246 feet
- Located in Mahālangūr Himāl – Nepal
- 10-12 days in, out and acclimatization hike
- 3 days needed to reach the summit
- Best time to climb: May/October
- What’s so special about it: Himalayas highest trekking summit
A climb to Mera Peak offers a stunning view of 5 of the 6 highest mountains in the world on a clear day. These include Mount Everest, Makalu, Lhoste, Cho Oyu and Kanchenjunga. Hikers who have some basic glacier-hiking skills can complete the spectacular Himalayan trek, but they still need to be adequately quipped to reach the summit.
Chimborazo
- Summit: 6,268 meters / 20564 feet
- Located in Cordillera Occidental – Ecuador
- 10-12 days in, out and acclimatization hike
- 2 days needed to reach the summit
- Best time to climb: Nov-Feb and May-July
- What’s so special about it: Chimborazo is the furthest point from Earth’s center
If measured from its center, the summit of Chimborazo is the highest place on the planet because of the location on the equatorial bulge. Summiting the ice-capped volcano does require basic glacier-hiking skills, but you don’t have to be an expert climber to reach its peak.
It’s recommended to hire a local guide to avoid potentially dangerous rock falls and crevasses. Beginners should also consider climbing the lower volcanoes of the mountain first and acclimatizing for about ten days before making the final attempt.
Mount Kilimanjaro
- Summit: 5,895 meters / 19,340 feet
- Located in Kilimanjaro NP – Tanzania
- 5-7 days needed to reach the summit
- Best time to climb: Aug-Oct and Jan-Mar
- What’s so special about it: It’s the tallest freestanding summit in the world and the highest mountain in Africa
The success rate on some of its routes is less than 50%, which is why summiting Mount Kilimanjaro is considered a true achievement. However, selecting the right route and adequate acclimatization can result in a truly amazing trekking experience. Climbing along the only remaining glacier in Africa and viewing the African plains is a unique experience and worth the effort.
You can choose between six different routes with Marangu being the most popular. Its popularity means that it’s a busy climb, but it’s the only route where you can find some kind of accommodation.
Mauna Kea
- Summit: 4,207 meters / 13,802 feet
- Located in Hawaii – USA
- Only takes a day from base to top
- Best time to climb: Anytime of the year
- What’s so special about it: The highest mountain from base to top on Earth (10m205 meters)
With 6,000 meter under the sea, Mauna Kea is the highest mountain that can even be reached in a car through the access road. A 9Km of off-road trail takes you the top, making it a fairly easy climb compared to other mountains covered before. The trail passes through archeological sites, the highest lake in the Pacific Basin and cinder cones.
Pikes Peak
- Summit: 4,302 meters / 14,114 feet
- Located in Colorado – USA
- One-day trip
- Best time to climb: Summer and fall months
- What’s so special about it: The highest peak in the continental US
Pikes Peak gives aspiring climbers a good feel of climbing a big mountain. The best time to reach the peek is by noon as afternoons storms tend to pop up by that time. Trekkers can also hitch a ride on the north side of the mountain or cog railway on their way back.
Jbel Toubkal
- Summit: 4,167 meters / 13,671 feet
- Located in Atlas Mountains Imlil – Morocco
- Takes 2-3 day from base to top
- Best time to climb: Anytime of the year
- What’s so special about it: The peak can be summited fairly easily over the weekend
North Africa’s highest peak is easily accessible through the only route, which is a 12 KM hike. The fun and somewhat challenging ascent ends with an amazing view of the surroundings. A majority of trekkers stay overnight to acclimatize themselves before making it to the summit in the early morning. This also helps them avoid the clouds before descending to the Mizane Valley.
Mount Fuji
- Summit: 3,776 meters / 12,388 feet
- Located in Honshu, Chūbu region- Japan
- Takes 1-2 day from base to top
- Best time to climb: July to September
- What’s so special about it: The most recognized volcano mountain
The top of Mount Fiji can be reached through 4 different routes with each route having its own starting point and some meeting midway. Although the challenging sections are few and far between, the altitude can be a problem for some beginners. Many prefer splitting the climb into two days or climbing it overnight to experience the spectacular sunrise. The Yoshida trail is not only the most accessible, but also the side where you can view sunrise without having to reach the top.
Mount Hood
- Summit: 3,426 meters / 11,240 feet
- Located in Oregon – USA
- A one-day trek from base to top
- Best time to climb: Apr-June
- What’s so special about it: A great training ground for snow climbing
Crowned by 11 glaciers and home to 6 ski areas, Mount Hood is a great place for climbers to get familiar with snow climbing. The large peaks require a certain level of skill that’s also applicable to 8k meter peaks. But you don’t have to deal with the stuff associated with high altitude. Climbers new to ice axes and crampons find the mountain a great starting point, thanks to its large, glaciated peaks.
Mount Kosciuszko
- Summit: 2,228 meters / 7,309 feet
- Located in Tyhredbo – Australia
- A one-day trek from base to top
- Best time to climb: Nov-May
- What’s so special about it: One of the easiest summit to climb
The highest point in Australia, Mount Kosciuszko is recommended for beginners who want to bag a prize without breaking a sweat. A chairlift covers a part of the otherwise difficult accent so you just have to hike the remaining 303 meters. However, these 303 meters below the summit still means trekking a 13 KM round trip from the chairlift station to the top and back. Make sure to pack plenty of water and snacks in your backpack.
Conclusion
You don’t necessarily have to be a professional climber to summit a large number of popular mountains. Although most of the mountains covered here are easily achievable, some require a certain degree of physical fitness and training. Reaching the top gives climbers bragging rights, but they must be prepared and accustomed to the environment to claim their prize.