Eight mountain-climbing routes that will take your breath away

Sir Edmund Hillary, the first man to climb to the summit of Everest, rehearsed this feat by first climbing Mount Snowden, the tallest peak in Wales. Ireland can be discerned in the distance from its green mountainside.

Connemara National Park in Ireland offers not only spectacular views and hiking and climbing routes, but also more unusual options such as coasteering.

Who could have imagined that the path of the Appalachian Mountains – in the United States – once extended to Extremadura? To trace the origins of these formations, which date back more than 200 million years, follow the routes through Villuercas-Ibores-Jara Geopark.

The Pacific Crest Trail remains a fantastic choice for those who love challenges. No wonder the Gilmore Girls series parodied the famous book (and subsequent film), Wild, about it.

Less well-known than other climbing areas in Asturias, Puerto de Somiedo has not only an exceptionally rich anthropological heritage, with its picturesque thatched stone dwellings (known locally as teitus), but a zoological history to match, with 40 per cent of the bears in the Cantabrian Range living in this park.

Despite its spectacular 5,451-metre height, Cerro El Plomo in Chile has a relatively easy ascent and boasts exceptional views of the Andes. However, watch out for altitude sickness!

If you visit Africa, don’t miss the Rwenzori Mountains, one of the few ranges on the continent with glaciers. These were even known to the ancient Greeks, who gave them beautiful names such as ‘Mountains of the Moon’ and ‘Silver Mountains’.

The ascent to Preikestolen in Norway promises to be spectacular – and relatively easy. Some even climb in high heels, though obviously we don’t recommend that, as the route includes forests, lakes and glaciers. A photo from The Pulpit Rock will guarantee lots of likes on social media.