10 most beautiful mountains in the world – and the ones I recommend you climb

I might be biased since I climbed Snowdon last year overnight (forgive my humble brag), but it was such a fantastic experience. Make no mistake, anyone who has gone on a hiking expedition will tell you that the professional guides drum it into you that mountains need to be respected for what they are. Although Snowdon has several routes with varying levels of difficulty, it is doable for lots of people, but it's crucial that hikers don't take it for granted. I exercise regularly, but I still trained for a few weeks before taking part. With a good level of fitness and the right gear, however, it's totally doable, and worth it.

As proud as I am of the Snowdon completion, I am keen to 'one-up' myself and take on the other two of the three peaks. One is Scafell Pike, and the other is Ben Nevis, the latter of which is the highest in the UK. Ben Nevis, located in the wondrous Scottish Highlands, stands proudly at 1,345 metres and is considered challenging to hike. However, even from afar, it's stunning and worth seeing with your own eyes.

Another mountain I've been fortunate to see in the distance is Kirkjufell in Iceland, which, unsurprisingly, is one of the country's most photographed areas. Surrounded by incredible and otherworldly waterfalls and beaches, it'll make you feel like you're in a fantasy film.

The Canadian Rockies is a region that spans across BC and Alberta in southwest Canada, so there are numerous peaks and ranges to see and the photos alone look truly breathtaking. I was lucky enough to see the Coast Mountain range from afar during a trip to BC, but the Rockies remain firmly on my list. 

If you head to the popular area of Banff, you'll be able to marvel at the views of the Rockies from national parks, hiking trails and staggeringly beautiful lakes.

Like other ridiculously high mountains, it's best to observe the Matterhorn from afar, and it is not one to even think about climbing. But if you head to the village of Zermatt in Switzerland, you can pay for the Matterhorn Glacier Paradise experience, where a cable car will take you on a safe expedition with a 360-degree view of its beauty. Or, if you're a skier, you can go to nearby resorts and admire the view from the glittering, powdery slopes. This way, you'll get to see the Matterhorn's iconic shape, which used to be the logo of Toblerone chocolate.

Mount Kilimanjaro, the highest mountain in Africa, is a dormant volcano located in Tanzania. It's not as challenging as other mountain climbs, so if you're a thrill seeker and are willing to put in significant training and take it seriously, climbing 'Kili' is doable. Otherwise, it's still beautiful and impressive to observe from afar, whether on a guided tour or even on a safari.

This one is firmly on my bucket list. If you're planning a trip to Japan, you're likely going to add a trip to see Mount Fuji to your itinerary. You can purchase day tours and trips where guides will take you to nearby gardens and lake regions, like Fuji Five Lakes, where you get the best views of the mountain from afar.

Another trip that's on my bucket list is visiting the iconic ruins of Machu Picchu, and Huayna Picchu is situated just behind, looming over the so-called Lost City of the Incas. It's little wonder that it's one of the most photographed places on earth.

This trio of distinctive peaks is located in the Sexton Dolomites of South Tyrol, Italy. Consisting of Cima Piccola (little peak), Cima Grande (big peak), and Cima Ovest (western peak), they form part of the sprawling Alps, which are considered one of the most amazing mountain regions to see ever.

Heading Down Under? If you venture to New Zealand, then a trip to see Mount Cook will provide a backdrop like no other. It's the highest mountain in New Zealand, and there are plenty of beautiful surrounding national parks, lakes and numerous hiking trails for visitors to explore.