Apart from the Seven Summits, the seven highest mountains on the continents, which are of particular interest to mountaineers, the mountains of our planet fascinate in many different ways.
Enormous height, beauty and symmetry or historical or religious significance have already led numerous people to climb the mountains of this world. There is still a tremendous fascination in having mastered the arduous climb and enjoying the phenomenal view from the summit.
Non-mountaineers climb the mountains comfortably by cable car or marvel at their majestic sight from afar. The rugged slopes, the snow-covered peaks and the slopes glowing red in the sun also make the heart beat faster when viewed from below.
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Mount Everest, Nepal
Every schoolchild knows it - the highest mountain in the world at 8,848 metres. The mighty peak rises from the snow-covered Himalayan mountains of Nepal and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site due to its impressive mountain formations, the unique fauna and the cultural sites of the Sherpas. The Sagarmatha National Park stretches around it and offers a number of other breathtaking features in addition to Mount Everest.
Article: Sagarmatha National Park
Matterhorn, Switzerland
With its characteristic peak, the 4,477m high Matterhorn is Switzerland 's landmark and one of the most beautiful and most photographed mountains in the world. Every year, around 3,000 motivated mountaineers attempt to climb the almost perfect pyramid shape - about 1,000 of them have to give up without having achieved anything. Non-mountaineers appreciate the hiking trails and ski slopes of the Matterhorn.
Article: Matterhorn
Photo gallery: Matterhorn
Kilimanjaro, Tanzania
As the highest mountain in Africa, Kilimanjaro in Tanzania is also one of the Seven Summits. The ascent of Kilimanjaro is comparatively easy and leads from the tropics to the Arctic. While there is still shimmering heat at the foot of the impressive mountain, the way to the top is an inhospitable rock and snow desert. In Kilimanjaro National Park, numerous attractive hiking and trekking routes also lead around Africa's highest mountain.
Article: Kilimanjaro National Park
Aconcagua, Argentina
Aconcagua, the "White Guardian", is the highest mountain in the western hemisphere. Revered as a sacred mountain, the highest Inca sacrificial site can still be found on its rocky flanks. The best time to climb Aconcagua is from November to March. Many climbers then use the relatively easy summit climb as preparation for greater challenges.
Mount Fuji, Japan
Mount Fuji is not only famous as Japan's sacred and highest mountain, but is also one of the most beautiful mountains in the world. Rising up to 3,776m, the summit of the dormant volcano is almost completely symmetrical and is relatively easy to climb. Japan's landmark is particularly photogenic during the cherry blossom season with its snow-covered summit.
Article: Mount Fuji
Photo gallery: Mount Fuji
Zugspitze, Germany
The Zugspitze is not only famous as Germany's highest mountain, but also offers one of the most spectacular views in the entire Alpine region. The 2,962m high mountain is surrounded only by lower peaks and the view falls tens of kilometres away. The "ascent" is as easy as can be: three cable cars lead up to the rocky summit.
Popocatepétl, Mexico
Mexico's second highest mountain is not only famous for its funny-sounding name. Mexico tourists visit it mainly because of the numerous monasteries around the volcano Popocatepetl. These were built in the 16th century to convert the local population to Christianity. 14 of them have been declared World Heritage Sites by UNESCO.
Jungfrau, Switzerland
The Jungfrau in the centre of Switzerland is the third highest mountain in the Bernese Alps at 4158 metres above sea level and is most famous for the Jungfraujoch. This is a pass 3,454m above sea level where the highest railway station in Europe was built. Every year, around 700,000 Swiss holidaymakers travel to the "Top of Europe" on the Jungfrau Railway and enjoy the view of the fantastic Alpine panorama.
Article: Jungfraujoch
Photo gallery: Jungfraujoch
Mount Taranaki, New Zealand
Mount Taranaki, like Japan's Mount Fuji, is one of the most beautiful mountains in the world because of its almost completely symmetrical summit. The dormant volcano lies on the west coast of New Zealand's North Island and is enclosed by Mount Egmont National Park. Its ski slopes, hiking trails and trekking routes attract tourists and locals to its breathtaking landscape all year round.
Article: Mount Taranaki
Photo gallery: Mount Taranaki
Gros Piton and Petit Pitons, St Lucia
The two distinctive "Pitons" on the west coast of the Caribbean island of St. Lucia may not boast snow-capped peaks, but they are densely forested and offer a wonderful view of the Caribbean Sea. The "scenic highlights of the Lesser Antilles" have been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site.