When seeking serenity, pure and true, some people choose to relax on the beach while others prefer to spend their time in the woods. But mountain getaways, no matter where you live in the world, offer a whole other level of tranquillity.
With their seemingly endless vistas, the ever present promise of snow, gorgeous hikes, and vast landscapes untroubled by modernity, once you’ve spent time on high, life at sea level can be something of a downer.
Yep, hidden amongst nature’s highest elevations, you can enjoy unmatched relaxation and unrestrained thrill, equally. If you’re keen for this sense of ultimate escapism, then read on; here are 6 IDEAL mountain getaways around the world.
SCALE MOUNT TENNO & ENJOY VIEWS OF MOUNT FUJI
Japan’s iconic Mount Fuji, around 60 miles southwest of Tokyo and on clear days visible from the city, stands at nearly 4’000 metres tall. Surrounded by five lakes, Mount Fuji is one of Japan’s proudest symbols of natural beauty and a source of great reverence and mysticism.
Though hundreds of thousands of visitors climb Mount Fuji each year, you might be surprised to hear that it’s still an active volcano, though its last eruption was several hundreds of years ago. Yep, we realise we promised tranquillity…
Perhaps it’s best enjoyed from a different vantage point? From one of those five lakes we mentioned, Lake Kawaguchi, you can take the Mount Fuji panoramic ropeway, a cable car that takes you to top of Mount Tenno and offers incredible views of Mount Fuji.
Alternatively, from Shinjuku Station, the busiest station in the world and part of Tokyo’s most famous ward, you can take a bus around halfway up Mount Fuji. From there, you can climb to the peak of the mountain, which should take around half a day, but first, you can choose to admire the views. You can book a stay in a mountain hut if you fancy resting between climbs. Now that’s tranquil.
A LAKESIDE RETREAT ON THE SIERRA NEVADA MOUNTAINS
Straddling both California and Nevada, and high up in the Sierra Nevada Mountains, Lake Tahoe is a must-visit in winter. Indeed, Tahoe during the winter season, in particular, offers scenic and serene snowscapes so far removed from the vast expanses of desert which Nevada is known for.
Tahoe is celebrated for its snow sports, especially skiing. Whether you’re a beginner or a little more advanced, there are a variety of slopes to suit all levels and even some alpine and cross-country skiing, too. If swooshing down the slopes isn’t your thing, then fear not; you can still rent a cosy cabin, ideally with a hot tub and a log fire, and enjoy the fresh alpine air at a more relaxed pace; simply sublime.
There are also several expansive State Parks surrounding the lake, complete with more hiking and lake ice skating options than you could possibly complete on a single trip. If you are looking to narrow things down, Emerald Bay State Park and D.L Bliss State Park provide some of the most dramatic backdrops.
In Tahoe City itself there are also a number of art galleries and some fantastic restaurants; Christy Hill, a casual fine dining spot looking over the lake, is superb. A trip to the Donor museum and Donner Memorial State Park offers some much needed insight into the region’s history, too. And if you’re feeling lucky, a trip to the casinos in Reno provides evening entertainment.
A SPIRITUAL EXPERIENCE IN BHUTAN
Tucked between India and China lies Bhutan, the last remaining Himalayan Buddhist kingdom. Bhutan is the land of Thunder Dragon, legendary temples, and a rich array of heady aromats and lip tingling spices. This splendid destination boasts verdant valleys, snow capped peaks, a manageable climate, breathtaking landscapes, colourful festivals and most of all, authenticity.
Oh, and as you’ve probably heard, it’s often named as the happiest place on earth, with emphasis (and government policy) placed firmly on an index of contentment rather than G.D.P.
Perched on a cliffside in the upper Paro Valley is Taktshang Goemba, or Tiger’s Nest Monastery; one of Bhutan’s most sacred and religious sites and a place of pilgrimage for Buddhists from all over the world.
For ultimate relaxation, soaking in the holy spring Menchu is an ancient Bhutanese pastime. The traditional hot stone baths use river rocks collected from the mountains across the region, which are heated for hours over a fire and once glowing red, are placed in a wooden bathtub full of water.
TRAILING MACHU PICCHU
This UNESCO World Heritage Site will not disappoint even the most avid of hikers. Hidden in the Andean Mountains of northwestern Peru near the town of Cusco, you’ll find Machu Picchu. The ruins include over 150 buildings and more than 3,000 stone steps of pure wonder.
A hike along the Inca Trail from Cuzco, which follows the Urubamba River, can take two to seven days depending on your route and pace. It’s a high altitude course full of tropical scenery and fascinating wildlife. And the views; oh, the views.
As such, the country wants to preserve this ancient site as best it can, so booking ahead of time is essential. Hikers are limited to 500 each day, accordingly.
AN ALPINE LODGE IN THE SWISS ALPS
How does renting – or even buying – an Alpine lodge sound? If you’re a keen skier or you simply love to indulge in the afters, then there’s no more idyllic, immersive setting than the Swiss Alps. It’s got it all; the seemingly endless conifer forests, fir and pine trees, the Alpine mountain range including Mont Blanc herself, and the cosy lodges which pepper the mountain sides.
Could there be anything more relaxing than settling down around an open fire with some hearty Alpine fare and a glass of hot chocolate or mulled wine, knowing that the place is yours for the long haul?
Swiss Alps ski property sellers tell us that right now, ski property represents a smart investment. They say that ‘’Ski properties make a great form of investment for a variety of reasons, they have the capability of serving you personally for leisure use, while also acting as a source of income.’’
Instead of making the Alps your winter retreat, imagine making these famous slopes your residence.
Read: 7 things to do in Meribel that don’t involve skiing
A TRIP AROUND THE ATLAS MOUNTAINS
For those wanting something a little bit (well, a whole lotta) different, biking through the Atlas Mountains certainly serves up a dose of the thrilling stuff. The path encompasses both desert and mountain terrain, with the opportunity for rock climbing in the gorges – and the high-altitude cycling will really get your adrenaline flowing. If the scenery doesn’t get you, then the erratically driven taxis certainly will.