Hiking is a popular outdoor activity enjoyed by experienced hikers and newbies alike around the globe. The Seven Summits, which comprise the tallest mountains on each continent, as well as other popular peaks like Mauna Kea, the Matterhorn and Mount Fuji, tend to dominate the discussions when planning out where to travel for one’s next great hike.
However, there are a wide variety of mountains around the globe which, while gaining less attention than more famous summits, provide spectacular opportunities to get up close and personal with native flora and fauna while enjoying unparalleled views. Likewise, while the more famous mountains tend to be limited to only the most experienced hikers, there are countless mountains which provide hiking opportunities for all levels. Here is our guide to six lesser-known mountains for your next hiking adventure.
1. Mount Ossa, Greece
The Vale of Tempe, which is located between Mount Ossa and the Lower Olympus massif. Ava Babili. CC BY-NC-ND 2.0.
Situated in between the more famous Mount Olympus to the north and Mount Pelion to the south, Mount Ossa, also known as Kissavos, is a prominent mountain located in the Thessaly region of Greece. With an elevation of 6,490 feet, Mount Ossa provides stunning views of neighboring mountains and the nearby Aegean Sea. In Greek mythology, the Aloadae were believed to have attempted to stack Mount Ossa on top of Mount Olympus and below Mount Pelion in an effort to threaten the Greek gods..
Today, however, Mount Ossa is best known for its extensive plant varieties, including native geraniums, junipers and countless types of flowers. Likewise, given how close Mount Ossa is to the Aegean Sea, at lower altitudes Mount Ossa is home to more Mediterranean flora, while higher altitudes see meadows and firs.
Mount Ossa provides trails up to its summit perfect for hiking amateurs and aficionados alike. The hike can be completed without a guide, as the several routes to the summit are well-marked and generally take two hours to complete.
2. Nevado Sajama, Bolivia
A view of Nevado Sajama with clouds overhead. MaximeF. CC BY-NC-ND 2.0.
Located in the far western region of Bolivia only 12 miles from the Chilean border, Nevado Sajama is a jaw-dropping extinct volcano in the Sajama National Park. At 21,463 feet, Nevado Sajama is Bolivia’s highest peak. The surrounding national park is home to a wide variety of wildlife, including llamas, alpacas and flamingos. Given its high altitude, Nevado Sajama is heavily glaciated, and one of the southern-most mountains in the region to have glaciers.
Nevado Sajama can be hiked year-round, although the best times to hike are from July through September, as later in the year heavy snowfall develops. Likewise, given the difficulty of the trek and the high altitude, which takes time to acclimate with, it is recommended to hike with a guide or as part of a tour, which generally take 4-5 days to complete.
3. Taebaeksan, South Korea
The main peaks of the Taebaek mountain range. Dcpeets. CC BY-SA 3.0.
Taebaeksan is a mountain with several prominent peaks in the Taebaek mountain range, which runs down the entire eastern side of South Korea and stretches up into North Korea. The mountain itself, which has a peak of 5,140 feet, was designated as South Korea’s 22nd national park in 2016. Taebaeksan is unique in that it is home to a number of cultural sites, including Cheonjedan, a place with a harvest ceremony spanning thousands of years, and Geomryongso, which is the source of the peninsula’s Han River.
Taebaeksan has several trails up to its highest summit and the surrounding peaks, with popular trails including Geumcheon Course and Uilsa Temple Course. While Taebaeksan is easier hiked in the summer months, the Taebaeksan Mountain Snow Festival provides the opportunity to enjoy a winter hike either solo or as part of a hiking competition. The festival also features large-scale snow sculptures, a starlight festival, sledding and more.
4. San Jacinto Peak, California
The Santa Rosa and San Jacinto mountains. Geographer. CC BY 1.0.
A part of the San Jacinto Mountains in Southern California, San Jacinto Peak is located right next to the city of Palm Springs. The mountain has a long-standing history with the Cahuilla Native American population, who referred to it as “I a kitch,” which translates to “smooth cliffs.” The mountain was later given different names through the years by the various Europeans who colonized the area, before receiving its current name in an 1855 survey.
Since then, the surrounding region has become a popular destination, with the nearby Coachella Valley being home to a vibrant LGBTQ+ community, several world-renowned music events and a thriving art scene. The Palm Springs Aerial Tramway is a popular method of getting partway up the mountain to see gorgeous views of the surrounding desert.
San Jacinto Peak has quite a number of trails to the summit which do not require a guide, with hikes starting both at the base of the mountain as well as further up where the aerial tram station is located. Popular trails start at the nearby town of Idyllwild, at the aerial tram station and in the neighboring Long Valley. San Jacinto Peak can be hiked year-round, but the weather does vary more in the winter months when heavy snowfall can block some of its trails.
5. Mount Meru, Tanzania
A view of the sunrise from the top of Mount Meru. Woodlouse. CC BY-SA 2.0.
Neighboring Africa’s highest mountain, Mount Kilimanjaro, Mount Meru is a dormant volcano, and the fifth-highest mountain in Africa at 14,968 feet. What’s unique about the mountain is its location—Mount Meru is located in the heart of Arusha National Park, home to a wide variety of unique wildlife including giraffes, zebras, flamingos, elephants and even leopards. Surrounding Mount Meru are the Ngurdoto and Meru craters, each of which has its own unique biodiversity and microclimate.
For those who are less experienced in hiking, a number of local travel companies offer four-day excursions up and down the summit. That said, for more experienced hikers, Mount Meru can be hiked without guides. The Momella Route is the only way up the mountain, featuring incomparable views of the surrounding forests, grasslands and craters.
6. Mount Tutoko, New Zealand
The top of Mount Tutoko, New Zealand. Joe Barbosa. CC BY-NC-ND 2.0.
Located in southwest New Zealand in Fiordland National Park, Mount Tutoko is the highest peak in the park at 8,934 feet. While the first ascent of the mountain was made in 1924 by mountaineers Samuel Turner and Peter Graham, Mount Tutoko did not officially receive its name until 2019, with the name “Tutoko” considered to be in reference to a Maori chief who lived in the northern part of New Zealand.
Those who hike Mount Tutoko will be treated to stunning views of glaciers and the surrounding peaks of the Darran Mountains. Given how far south the mountain is, those who brave the hike during the winter months of March through September can view the aurora australis, also known as the southern lights, on clear nights.
Hiking Mount Tutoko is recommended for more experienced hikers, as the ascent is a difficult, six-day-long journey. Likewise, this trip is best completed through a tour by one of several hiking companies in the region, all of which take hikers through a variety of trails up the mountain that highlight its natural beauty.
Jacob Sutherland
Jacob is a recent graduate from the University of California San Diego where he majored in Political Science and minored in Spanish Language Studies. He previously served as the News Editor for The UCSD Guardian, and hopes to shed light on social justice issues in his work.