My New Year Bucket List – Mountain Hikes Edition!
Making a bucket list allows us to reflect on our values and goals, and identify important milestones and experiences that we want to have in our lifetime. There is so much to see and do on our beautiful planet and so many places I am itching to visit and explore! There are so many different mountains that are on my bucket list but I would be here all year going through them, so I have narrowed it down to 3. Here’s my top 3 mountain hikes to add to your list!
- Everest Base Camp
I think Everest is probably on a lot of peoples bucket lists, and I think we all know why! But the base camp is at the top of my bucket list and here’s why. Some of the best sightings of the famous Everest arguably come during the Everest Base Camp Trek itself, from various lookout points along the way. These magnificent views combined with mystical monasteries and Sherpa villages offer a host of intriguing trip attractions on route. I just know that seeing the amazing snow-capped peaks for the first time would leave me speechless. The trek is known to offer some of the most beautiful panoramas of the Himalayas. It’s clear that hiking up Everest Base Camp would I would witness views that cannot be found anywhere else on the planet, and how could anything else beat that??
- Carrauntoohil, Kerry, Ireland.
I think it’s very fair to say that Ireland has the most spectacular views in the world. In fact, Ireland is often referred to as one of the most enchanting places in the world. Which is why my bucket list wouldn’t be complete without having the tallest mountain in Ireland feature on it. The highest peak in Ireland and part of Ireland's most famous mountain range, Carrauntoohil is a bucket list climb for any seasoned hiker. It is 1,038m high with a minimum of six hours needed for a round-trip. Climbing Carrauntoohil requires a good level of fitness as this a return hikes duration of 6/7 hours. You will require suitable footwear and clothing. It's the perfect scenic route with breath-taking views and the chance to get up close to the dramatic, steep north-east face of Carrauntoohil. Once you set off, the trail leads across and up the slope above Lough Gouragh, while the other route continues straight between the two lakes. After reaching the summit, you’ll be greeted to views of snowy peaks, deep valleys and oval lakes. You would be mad not to have this mountain on your bucket list!
- Mount Kilimanjaro, Tanzania
Mount Kilimanjaro is the highest mountain in Africa and the tallest free-standing mountain in the world. It is one of the Seven Summits. The peak of Africa is a dormant volcano found inside the Kilimanjaro National Park of Tanzania. Hiking to the roof of Africa for most is a once in a lifetime experience which is why Kilimanjaro should be on every bucket list. Climbing Kilimanjaro is ideal for outdoor adventure enthusiasts looking for a challenging but rewarding experience. The journey to the summit is full of breath-taking landscapes, unique animal life, and breath-taking views. You will most likely spot elephants, giraffes and zebra, you will then enter a green forest filled with monkeys and unbelievable plant life. A lot of people have said that Mount Kilimanjaro have said that it helps you overcome self – doubt and mental weariness due to the fact it is a place for vision and inspiration. If you don’t have this mountain on your bucket list, you’re doing something wrong!
So, these are my top 3 mountains! What are yours? Do you have a favourite? Pop over to our social media and tell us about it!
If you have a favourite mountain memory, we can help you hold onto it with our Mountain Peak Prints. These prints will hopefully remind you of that feeling when you reached the summit, they are made to stand out and bring colour to a home. The design of the prints is inspired by the individual topographic structure that each mountain peak has, as well as detailing the height of the mountain. A great print to representing all the mountains you have conquered.
