a range of mountain images

A Monthly Guide to the World’s Best Mountaineering Destinations

Year-Round Mountaineering: A Monthly Guide to the World’s Best Destinations

Whether you’re a planner or a spontaneous adventurer, it pays to know where the best mountaineering can be found at any given time of the year. Whether you're drawn to towering peaks, alpine rock climbs, or remote wilderness, there’s always somewhere you can seek your next challenge. From the snow-capped peaks of the Himalayas to the volcanic summits of South America, this guide summarises the best mountaineering destinations around the world, so you can line up your next adventure no matter the time of year.

For more detail and inspiration, click on the month to read the blog article for that particular month. 

Where you see a 7️⃣ this marks peaks that are one of the Seven Summits, the highest mountains on each continent (in case you fancy a challenge).

January

Mexico Non-technical volcanic peaks e.g. Pico de Orizaba (5636m)
Colombia  Non-technical volcanic peaks e.g. Tolima (5215m)
Venezuela Alpine peaks around 5000m
Ecuador Moderately-technical volcanic peaks e.g. CayambeChimborazo, and Cotopaxi
Argentina (Puna de Atacama) Non-technical volcanic peaks e.g. Ojos del Salado (6893m), inc. many unclimbed
Argentina Aconcagua7️⃣ (6962m), technicality dependent on route
Chile/Argentina (Patagonia) Technical big wall/alpine climbing e.g. Cerro Fitz Roy (3405m), or remote mountaineering from the ice cap e.g. San Valentin (4085m)
New Zealand (Southern Alps) Remote and technical alpine peaks e.g. Aoraki/Mount Cook (3724m)
South Georgia/Antarctic Peninsular Ski mountaineering and exploratory alpine peaks
Antarctica  Polar plateau skiing or moderately-technical cold peaks e.g. Mount Vinson7️⃣ (4892m)
Tanzania Non-technical: Kilimanjaro7️⃣ (5895m) 
Uganda (Rwenzori) Technical glaciated peaks e.g. Mount Stanley (5109m)
Kenya Technical rocky peaks e.g. Mount Kenya’s South Face (5199m)

February

Mexico Non-technical volcanic peaks e.g. Pico de Orizaba (5636m)
Colombia  Non-technical volcanic peaks e.g Tolima (5215m)
Venezuela Alpine peaks around 5000m
Ecuador Moderately-technical volcanic peaks e.g. Cayambe, Chimborazo, and Cotopaxi
Argentina (Puna de Atacama) Non-technical volcanic peaks e.g. Ojos del Salado (6893m), inc. many unclimbed
Argentina Aconcagua7️⃣ (6962m), technicality dependent on route
Chile/Argentina (Patagonia) Technical big wall/alpine climbing e.g. Cerro Fitz Roy (3405m) or remote mountaineering from the ice cap e.g. San Valentin (4085m)
New Zealand (Southern Alps) Remote and technical alpine peaks e.g. Aoraki/Mount Cook (3724m)
South Georgia/Antarctic Peninsular Ski mountaineering and exploratory alpine peaks
Antarctica  Polar plateau skiing or moderately-technical cold peaks e.g. Mount Vinson7️⃣ (4892m)
Tanzania Non-technical: Kilimanjaro7️⃣ (5895m) 
Uganda (Rwenzori) Technical glaciated peaks e.g. Mount Stanley (5109m)
Kenya Technical rocky peaks e.g. Mount Kenya’s South Face (5199m)

March

Mexico Non-technical volcanic peaks e.g. Pico de Orizaba (5636m)
Colombia  Non-technical volcanic peaks e.g. Tolima (5215m)
Venezuela Alpine peaks around 5000m
Argentina (Puna de Atacama) Non-technical volcanic peaks e.g. Ojos del Salado (6893m), inc. many unclimbed
Morrocco (High Atlas) Moderately-technical winter mountaineering e.g. Toubkal (4167m)
Tanzania Non-technical: Kilimanjaro7️⃣ (5895m) 
Uganda (Rwenzori) Technical glaciated peaks e.g. Mount Stanley (5109m)
Kenya Technical rocky peaks e.g. Mount Kenya’s South Face (5199m)
Indonesia Carstensz Pyramid7️⃣ (4884m)
Malaysia Semi-technical rocky peaks e.g. Mount Kinabalu (4095m)
Nepal Moderately-technical 6000m peaks e.g. Island Peak, Mera Peak, Lobuche East

April

Peru/Bolivia Chile (Cordillera Occidental) Non-technical volcanic peaks e.g. Nevado Coropuna (6377m)
Colombia  Non-technical volcanic peaks e.g. Tolima (5215m)
Venezuela Alpine peaks around 5000m
Morrocco (High Atlas) Moderately technical winter mountaineering e.g. Toubkal (4167m)
Tanzania Non-technical: Kilimanjaro7️⃣ (5895m) 
Indonesia Carstensz Pyramid7️⃣ (4884m)
Malaysia Semi-technical rocky peaks e.g. Mount Kinabalu (4095m)
Nepal Moderately-technical 6000m peaks e.g. Island Peak, Mera Peak, Lobuche East, more technical and higher peaks e.g. Ama Dablam, Himlung Himal, Annapurna IV, approach start for 8000m peaks e.g. Everest7️⃣, Lhotse, Makalu, Kanchenjunga
China (Tibet) Technical 8000m peak e.g. Shishapangma (8013m)

May

Peru/Bolivia/Chile (Cordillera Occidental) Non-technical volcanic peaks e.g. Nevado Coropuna (6377m)
USA (Alaska) Technical alpine routes, big walls e.g. Ruth Gorge and Denali (6194m)
Canada (Coast Mountains) Remote and adventurous alpine peaks
Morrocco (High Atlas) Moderately technical winter mountaineering e.g. Toubkal (4167m)
Tanzania Non-technical Kilimanjaro7️⃣ (5895m) 
Indonesia Carstensz Pyramid7️⃣ (4884m)
Malaysia Semi-technical rocky peaks e.g. Mount Kinabalu (4095m)
Nepal Moderately-technical 6000m peaks e.g. Island PeakMera PeakLobuche East, more technical and higher peaks e.g. Ama DablamHimlung HimalAnnapurna IV, approach start for 8000m peaks e.g. Everest7️⃣, LhotseMakaluKanchenjunga
China (Tibet) Technical 8000m peak e.g. Shishapangma (8013m)
Morrocco (High Atlas) Non-technical Toubkal (4167m)

June

Peru/Bolivia/Chile (Cordillera Occidental) Non-technical volcanic peaks e.g. Nevado Coropuna (6377m)
Bolivia Semi-technical alpine peaks around 6000m e.g. Illimani (6432m)
Peru Technical alpine peaks e.g. Alpamayo (5947m)
Central Europe (Alps) Early season Alpine mountaineering e.g. Aiguille Verte (4122m)
USA (Alaska) Technical alpine routes, big walls e.g. Ruth Gorge and Denali7️⃣ (6194m)
Tanzania Non-technical Kilimanjaro7️⃣ (5895m) 
Indonesia Carstensz Pyramid (4884m)
Malaysia Semi-technical rocky peaks e.g. Mount Kinabalu (4095m)
Nepal Moderately-technical 6000m peaks e.g. Island PeakMera PeakLobuche East, more technical and higher peaks e.g. Ama DablamHimlung HimalAnnapurna IV, approach start for 8000m peaks e.g. Everest7️⃣, LhotseMakaluKanchenjunga
China (Tibet) Technical 8000m peak e.g. Shishapangma (8013m)
Russia/Mongolia/China (Altai) Remote, moderately-technical peaks up to 4500m
Kyrgyzstan (Tien Shan) Remote, moderately-technical peaks up to 7000m e.g. Khan Tengri 
Pakistan/China (Karakorum) Technical 8000m peaks inc. K2, Broad Peak, and the Gasherbrums
Morrocco (High Atlas) Non-technical Toubkal (4167m)
Kenya Technical rocky peaks e.g. Mount Kenya’s North Face (5199m)

July

Bolivia Semi-technical alpine peaks around 6000m e.g. Illimani (6432m)
Peru Technical alpine peaks e.g. Alpamayo (5947m)
Central Europe (Alps) Main season Alpine mountaineering inc. 4000m peaks e.g. Mont Blanc (4809m)
USA (Alaska) Technical alpine routes, big walls e.g. Ruth Gorge and Denali7️⃣ (6194m)
USA/Canada (Rockies/North Cascades) Technical alpine peaks e.g. Mount Rainier (4392m)
Canada (Baffin Island) Technical and remote big walls
Greenland Semi-technical exploratory alpine peaks, ice cap crossings, and big wall climbing
Tanzania Non-technical Kilimanjaro7️⃣(5895m) 
Indonesia Carstensz Pyramid7️⃣ (4884m)
Malaysia Semi-technical rocky peaks e.g. Mount Kinabalu (4095m)
Nepal Moderately-technical 6000m peaks e.g. Island PeakMera PeakLobuche East, more technical and higher peaks e.g. Ama DablamHimlung HimalAnnapurna IV, approach start for 8000m peaks e.g. Everest7️⃣, LhotseMakaluKanchenjunga
China (Tibet) Technical 8000m peak e.g. Shishapangma (8013m)
Russia/Mongolia/China (Altai) Remote, moderately-technical peaks up to 4500m
Kyrgyzstan (Tien Shan) Remote, moderatel- technical peaks up to 7000m e.g. Khan Tengri 
Tajikistan (Pamirs) Non-technical high altitude peaks e.g. Muztagh Ata (7546m)
Pakistan/China (Karakorum) Technical 8000m peaks inc. K2, Broad Peak and the Gasherbrums.
Morrocco (High Atlas) Non-technical Toubkal (4167m)
Kenya Technical rocky peaks e.g. Mount Kenya’s North Face (5199m)

August

Bolivia Semi-technical alpine peaks around 6000m e.g. Illimani (6432m)
Peru Technical alpine peaks e.g. Alpamayo (5947m)
Central Europe (Alps) Main season Alpine mountaineering inc. 4000m peaks e.g. Mont Blanc (4809m) and classic N Faces e.g. the Eiger (3967m)
USA/Canada (Rockies/North Cascades) Technical alpine peaks e.g. Mount Rainier (4392m)
Canada (Baffin Island) Technical and remote big walls
Greenland Semi-technical exploratory alpine peaks, ice cap crossings, and big wall climbing
Tanzania Non-technical Kilimanjaro7️⃣ (5895m) 
Indonesia Carstensz Pyramid7️⃣ (4884m)
Malaysia Semi-technical rocky peaks e.g. Mount Kinabalu (4095m)
Russia/Mongolia/China (Altai) Remote, moderately-technical peaks up to 4500m
Kyrgyzstan (Tien Shan) Remote, moderately-technical peaks up to 7000m e.g. Khan Tengri 
Tajikistan (Pamirs) Non-technical high altitude peaks e.g. Muztagh Ata (7546m)
Pakistan/China (Karakorum) Technical 8000m peaks inc. K2, Broad Peak, and the Gasherbrums
Morrocco (High Atlas) Non-technical Toubkal (4167m)
Kenya Technical rocky peaks e.g. Mount Kenya’s North Face (5199m)
Uganda (Rwenzori) Technical glaciated peaks e.g. Mount Stanley (5109m)

September

Bolivia Semi-technical alpine peaks around 6000m e.g. Illimani (6432m)
Peru Technical alpine peaks e.g. Alpamayo (5947m)
Central Europe (Alps) Late season Alpine mountaineering inc. 4000m peaks 
Tanzania Non-technical Kilimanjaro7️⃣ (5895m) 
Indonesia Carstensz Pyramid7️⃣ (4884m)
Malaysia Semi-technical rocky peaks e.g. Mount Kinabalu (4095m)
Nepal Moderately-technical 6000m peaks e.g. Island Peak, Mera Peak, Lobuche East, 8000m peaks e.g Manasalu and Makalu.
Kyrgyzstan (Tien Shan) Remote, moderately-technical peaks up to 7000m e.g. Khan Tengri 
Tajikistan (Pamirs) Non-technical high altitude peaks e.g. Muztagh Ata (7546m)
Morrocco (High Atlas) Non-technical Toubkal (4167m)
Kenya Technical rocky peaks e.g. Mount Kenya’s North Face (5199m)
Uganda (Rwenzori) Technical glaciated peaks e.g. Mount Stanley (5109m)

October

Mexico Non-technical volcanic peaks e.g. Pico de Orizaba (5636m)
Peru/Bolivia/Chile (Cordillera Occidental) Non-technical volcanic peaks e.g. Nevado Coropuna (6377m)
Tanzania Non-technical Kilimanjaro7️⃣ (5895m), Mount Meru (4562m)
Indonesia Carstensz Pyramid7️⃣ (4884m)
Nepal Moderately-technical 6000m peaks e.g. Island Peak, Mera Peak, Lobuche East, more technical and higher peaks e.g. Ama Dablam, Himlung Himal, Annapurna IV, 8000m peaks e.g. Manasalu and Makalu
Kyrgyzstan (Tien Shan) Remote, moderately technical peaks up to 7000m e.g. Khan Tengri 
Tajikistan (Pamirs) Non-technical high altitude peaks e.g. Muztagh Ata (7546m)
Morrocco (High Atlas) Non-technical Toubkal (4167m)
Kenya Technical rocky peaks e.g. Mount Kenya’s North Face (5199m)
Uganda (Rwenzori) Technical glaciated peaks e.g. Mount Stanley (5109m)

November

Mexico Non-technical volcanic peaks e.g. Pico de Orizaba (5636m)
Ecuador Moderately-technical volcanic peaks e.g. Cayambe, Chimborazo, and Cotopaxi
Argentina (Puna de Atacama) Non-technical volcanic peaks e.g. Ojos del Salado (6893m), inc. many unclimbed
Tanzania Non-technical Kilimanjaro7️⃣ (5895m), Mount Meru (4562m)
Indonesia Carstensz Pyramid7️⃣ (4884m)
Nepal Moderately-technical 6000m peaks e.g. Island PeakMera PeakLobuche East, more technical and higher peaks e.g. Ama DablamHimlung HimalAnnapurna IV, 8000m peaks e.g. Manasalu and Makalu
Morrocco (High Atlas) Non-technical Toubkal (4167m)
South Georgia/ Antarctic Peninsular Ski mountaineering and exploratory alpine peaks

December

Mexico Non-technical volcanic peaks e.g. Pico de Orizaba (5636m)
Colombia  Non-technical volcanic peaks e.g. Tolima (5215m)
Ecuador Moderately technical volcanic peaks e.g. Cayambe, Chimborazo, and Cotopaxi
Argentina (Puna de Atacama) Non-technical volcanic peaks e.g. Ojos del Salado (6893m), inc. many unclimbed
Argentina Aconcagua7️⃣ (6962m), technicality dependant on route
Tanzania Non-technical Kilimanjaro7️⃣ (5895m), Mount Meru (4562m)
Indonesia Carstensz Pyramid7️⃣ (4884m)
Nepal Moderately-technical 6000m peaks e.g. Island PeakMera PeakLobuche East, more technical and higher peaks e.g. Ama DablamHimlung HimalAnnapurna IV, 8000m peaks e.g. Manasalu and Makalu
Morrocco (High Atlas) Non-technical Toubkal (4167m)
South Georgia/ Antarctic Peninsular Ski mountaineering and exploratory alpine peaks
Antarctica  Polar plateau skiing or moderately-technical cold peaks e.g. Mount Vinson7️⃣ (4892m)
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