For thousands of years, people have sought refuge in the mountains – to escape the searing heat of summer and enjoy crisp clean air, to scale peaks and to feel awed and inspired amidst magnificent alpine landscapes.
Today, as the planet gets warmer, there’s a renewed urge to climb above the heat and smog to seek peace and relaxation, to stay in luxurious retreats and to explore these wonderful natural playgrounds. From the Rockies to the Himalayas, you can go trekking, cycling or horse riding, visit isolated temples and ancient abbeys, and venture out to find wildlife, from wild bears to rare big cats.
Here, Annabelle Thorpe, of 101 Holidays, selects the peak experiences.
Luxury retreats
Some of the world’s most spectacularly-designed (and located) hotels are set in mountainous regions. For sheer spectacle, it’s hard to beat a stay at the Alila Jabal Akhdar in Oman, a stylish Hyatt resort at an altitude of 2,000 metres on a plateau surrounded by the majestic Al Hajar Mountains, with jaw-dropping views across vast canyons and peaks. Book with Inspiring Travel.
Or discover South Africa’s glorious Drakensberg Mountains, with a stay at the stylish-but-homely Cleopatra Mountain Farmhouse. Africa specialist Mahlatini can arrange itineraries that include helicopter flights and wildlife-spotting trips, before returning to the rustic luxury of the hotel.
Sometimes, though, there’s nothing more relaxing than having a place to call your own, and Oliver’s Travels have some elegant chalets in the French and Swiss Alps, with a concierge service to arrange everything from restaurant reservations to paragliding trips and guided excursions.
Restorative breaks
Health and wellbeing have long been integral parts of holidays in the mountains, and 21st-century retreats combine luxury with innovative wellness treatments and a raft of outdoor pursuits. Kirker Holidays recommends the classic White Horse Inn in Austria’s breathtakingly beautiful Salzkammergut region; a charming, 14th-century hotel with a 1,500 sq metre spa and outdoor pool that seems to float right beside Lake Wolfgang, with the mountains looming behind.
For an easy, short-hop break, Mallorca’s Tramuntana mountain range combines great walking with picture-perfect villages and towns, such as Deia, Valdemossa and Soller. I-escape has a collection of gorgeous rural estates, agroturismos and chic boutique hotels including C’as Xorc, a glamorously-converted former olive mill with a fabulous restaurant and sensational mountain views. For laid-back luxury, The Lodge in Verbier by Virgin Limited Edition is an intimate chalet hotel with just nine rooms – perfect for a getaway with friends and families, or as a romantic week away (rooms can be booked individually in the summer season).
Adventure trips
For a truly unique mountain adventure, there are few places to rival Bhutan for its dramatic, unspoilt landscapes, atmospheric temples and sense of a country determined not to allow tourism to overwhelm its natural beauty and ancient culture. Experience Travel Group offers several tours of the country, each with a driver and English-speaking guide, taking in the hilltop monasteries and unspoilt towns and villages that lie among the peaks.
Across the Pacific Ocean, Argentina’s Lake District is home to some of South America’s most awe-inspiring natural landscapes; snowcapped mountains rising above swathes of forest cut through with crystal-clear rivers and waterfalls. Specialist South America tour operator Dehouche can tailor-make five-star trips that really get under the skin of this magical region.
Wildlife
Mountainous regions might seem peaceful, but the forests and plateaux are rich in wildlife, from wolves and bears to wild horses and deer. In Canada, black bears and moose roam the National Parks, and hundreds of different bird species whirl through the skies. North America Travel Service has a variety of Canada itineraries, including a 15-day Western Parks Explorer fly-drive, taking in Vancouver and the Rocky Mountains.
Europe has its own wilderness regions. Slovenia’s Julian Alps are home to ibex, brown bear and chamois, with cosy, small independently-run hotels. Regent Holidays has an eight-day Cultural Landscapes of Sloveniatour, which combines natural treasures with vibrant towns including Bled and Piran.
Trekking
To really immerse yourself in the mountains, there’s no better way than exploring on foot. Morocco’s Atlas mountains are latticed with trekking routes, from beginner’s trails to hardcore hikes, and dotted with all levels of accommodation. Virgin Limited Edition’s Kasbah Tamadot is the top choice for those looking for a luxury stay, while Fleewinter has a clutch of charming properties, including Kasbah Bab Ourika, one of Morocco’s most eco-friendly hotels, with trekking routes from the door.
In Italy, the craggy Dolomites offer something very different to the Alps, with wonderful Italian food to top and tail walks. Headwater has a self-guided walking week taking in the very best of the region’s trails, from high ridges to circular hikes, staying at the lovely Park Hotel Bellevue.
For an independent walking holiday with plenty of guaranteed sunshine, the Canarian island of La Gomera offers spectacular mountain scenery with none of the crowded beaches that characterise the larger islands. Stay at the clifftop Jardin Tecina hotel with Classic Collection to mix beachy pleasures with blisteringly-beautiful hikes.
