The Most Beautiful Mountains in the World

Few natural landscapes are as breathtaking as experiencing a mountain up close. Whether it's dramatic valleys or snow-capped peaks, mountain landscapes consistently capture our attention. But which are the most eye-catching of all?

To find out, we conducted a global eye-tracking study, analysing which mountains caught participants’ attention the quickest, as well as holding it the longest. We then combined the two metrics into a weighted scoring system to reveal the most beautiful of all.

Are you ready to be inspired for your next adventure? Make sure you’ve got your travel insurance, pack your bags, and you’ll be ready to go.

Which mountains are the most beautiful?

With a near-perfect score of 99 out of 100 possible points, the Canadian Rockies take the top spot. The view from Lake Louise might be one of the most iconic spots, offering a stunning backdrop any time of year.

The top 10 is equally impressive: The Americas dominate the ranking, with half of the most eye-catching mountains located in the U.S., Canada or Chile. Meanwhile, two Irish mountains make the list and lead the way for Europe: Slieve League ranks fourth (82.9/100) and Errigal Mountain fifth (75.8/100).

Overall, the most spectacular mountains span nearly every continent, from the famous Dolomites in Italy to Kilimanjaro in Tanzania.

The world’s top 20 most beautiful mountains

1. Canadian Rockies, Canada‍

‍‘Eye-Catching’ Score: 99.3/100

‍The Canadian Rockies take the top spot as the world’s most beautiful mountains. Lake Louise is one of Canada’s most striking attractions, with perfectly turquoise waters, bordered by deep forest greens and sharp, snow-topped peaks, with a spectacular view of the mountains. Participants focused on this range more than any other, spending over a third (34%) of the time in this test looking at this range, the longest of all in our study, resulting in a near-perfect eye-catching score of 99.3 out of 100 possible points. Strict conservation rules ensure the fragile ecosystem and surrounding wildlife are protected, and therefore help to preserve this visually commanding space.

2. El Capitan, United States

‍‍‘Eye-Catching’ Score: 84.9/100

With an impressive beauty score of 84.9, El Capitan, in the United States, takes second place. Located in Yosemite National Park, this granite monolith is renowned as a challenging destination for expert rock climbers. Valley View, on the west end of Yosemite Valley, offers a dramatic view alongside the Merced River, and participants spent the second-longest amount of time looking at this mountain (3.01 seconds). Treetops line the riverbanks in front of El Capitan and Bridalveil Fall, showcasing the impressive size of this mountain range.

3. Torres del Paine, Chile

‘Eye-Catching’ Score: 83.2/100
Following closely in third place is Torres del Paine, in Chilean Patagonia, with a total eye-catching score of 83.2 out of 100 and the first South American entry in the list. One of the perks of this beautiful area is that it’s also accessible to those with no advanced hiking skills, as there are plenty of short and easy trails to discover. Pehoé viewpoint is one of these, providing stunning views of Lake Pehoé and the Paine mountain range, while offering an easy introduction to the park. The national park classifies this hike as moderate, stating visitors should be able to complete the 7.1km round-trip in under two hours.

If you’re after one of Patagonia’s standout landscapes without a long trek, this compact corner delivers on visual impact.

4. Slieve League, Ireland

‘Eye-Catching’ Score: 82.9/100

In fourth place and taking the crown for Europe’s most eye-catching mountain is Ireland’s Slieve League. This mountain captured attention faster than any other in our study, just 1.41 seconds to first fixation. Located in County Donegal, this natural wonder rises around 600 meters above the Atlantic Ocean, making it one of the highest sea cliffs in Europe. The viewing point gives a panoramic outlook across Donegal Bay and the surrounding coastline. In fact, you can even see Ben Bulben, a table mountain in County Sligo, which places 12th in our ranking.

5. Errigal Mountain, Ireland

‘Eye-Catching’ Score: 75.8/100

Another Irish mountain follows: Errigal Mountain in County Donegal scored 75.8, taking fifth place. Standing 751 meters high, Errigal is the tallest peak of the Derryveagh Mountain range and another peak that overlooks Ben Bulben. The grey, conical mountain offers a striking backdrop, particularly in winter when the peak is covered in a dusting of crisp white snow. Part of the Seven Sisters, it draws many visitors to experience its awe-inspiring scenery, so if you want to avoid busy crowds, visiting during the week and avoiding bank holidays can help.  

6. Maroon Bells, United States

‘Eye-Catching’ Score: 75.1/100

Another U.S. mountain ranking in the top 10 is the Maroon Bells, consisting of two peaks in the Elk Mountains: Maroon Peak and North Maroon Peak. With beautiful greenery framing the bells and sunlight bouncing off the lake in the valley, it’s no wonder it catches so many people's eyes. Reservations are required to visit Maroon Bells, so make sure you plan ahead if you’re looking to visit. It’s possible to visit by car, though spaces are limited. There is also a shuttle service, which collects tourists from Aspen, providing an even more memorable experience to soak in the jaw-dropping scenery.

7. Dolomites, Italy

‘Eye-Catching’ Score: 74.7/100

One of Europe’s most recognisable mountain landscapes, the Dolomites, take seventh place. Participants spent 2.63 seconds admiring the scenery from Val di Funes, where velvet green forest meets the jagged grey of the peaks.

The Dolomites have seen a lot more crowds in recent years, following a surge in online popularity, so arriving outside peak summer means shorter queues at viewpoints and the same jaw-dropping scenery. If you plan to visit this range in Italy, make sure you come prepared with suitable clothing and stick to designated paths, as many of the surrounding lands are privately owned.

8. Quiraing, United Kingdom

‘Eye-Catching’ Score: 72.7/100

Nestled on the Isle of Skye, the Quiraing ranks eighth with an eye-catching score of 72.7. This landslip is known for its dramatic cliffs and forms part of the larger Trotternish Ridge, one of Scotland’s most recognisable landscapes and is especially striking at sunrise or sunset. One of the best ways to explore Scotland’s picturesque scenery is by car, but make sure you plan ahead as the roads to reach the Quiraing are steep, narrow, and winding, which can lead to queues.

9. Kirkjufell, Iceland

‘Eye-Catching’ Score: 68.6/100

Kirkjufell is one of Iceland’s most photographed mountains, and a popular stop on many tours due to its striking setting of a waterfall among lush green surroundings. This landscape captured the participant’s attention for 2.41 seconds, as the three-pronged waterfall provides a dramatic backdrop. This iconic mountain changes colours with the season, so visitors can experience new perspectives depending on the time of year they visit. Its remote location also makes it a notable spot for viewing the northern lights.

10. Mount Moran, United States

‘Eye-Catching’ Score: 68.4/100

Mount Moran, visible from Oxbow Bend, received an eye-catching score of 68.4, offering one of the most famous scenes of Grand Teton National Park. It’s particularly popular for wildlife spotting, as visitors can experience a variety of animals such as birds, otters, and moose in their natural habitat. Not only is this view easy to get to, situated on highway 89/191 between Jackson Lake Junction and Moran Junction, on calm days Mount Moran reflects on the Snake River, offering a particularly impressive sight.

10. Mount Shuksan, United States:

‘Eye-Catching’ Score: 68.4/100

Completing the top 10 alongside Mount Moran is Mount Shuksan in the North Cascades. Although many viewpoints require hiking, State Road 542 provides access to one of the mountain’s most famous sights, from Picture Lake. The reflection of Mount Shuksan in the water is especially striking, and a summer visit between June and September often brings vivid wildflower colour to the foreground.

How to prepare when visiting a mountain

Conditions can change quickly when visiting mountain ranges, so it’s important that you research and plan ahead of your trip.

Even during summer, weather and visibility can shift unexpectedly, so it’s worth checking local forecasts and preparing yourself for potential temperature drops. Wearing suitable clothing and footwear alongside carrying essential supplies such as water or food are sensible precautionary steps.  

It’s also advisable to check you have the appropriate travel insurance coverage, which can offer reassurance should you encounter difficulties. Stick to recognised paths and research your route ahead of time to ensure it suits your experience level.  

Have any of these mountains inspired you to add them to your bucket list? Make sure you plan ahead for the best experience and protect your trip with travel insurance that covers the activities you’ll be taking on.

Methodology:

We compiled a list of 56 mountain landscapes from around the world, known for their striking natural scenery.  

To conduct the research, a series of images featuring the different mountain ranges was shown to a sample of 100 participants. Eye-tracking software was used to measure their visual engagement, based on the following metrics:  

• Time to first fixation: the speed at which participants first focused on a mountain range, indicating immediate visual appeal

• Total viewing duration: the average length of time participants spent looking at each mountain, reflecting sustained interest

These values were then scored using a weighted scoring system, with total viewing duration weighted at 75% and time to first fixation weighted at 25%, to create an overall score out of 100 for each mountain range. The ranges were then ranked based on their scores to reveal which were the most eye-catching and thus, the most beautiful overall.  

Data correct as of December 2025.