Nepal (6,993 m) – Sacred Hindu Mountain Machapuchare is one of the great peaks of Nepal, and one of the most sacred Hindu mountains outside of India. Sometimes called the Matterhorn of Nepal, it s famously resemblant of its European Twin. Its name means Fish Tail. Located in the Annapurna Himalaya, Machapuchare has been considered sacred by Hindus from antiquity. … [Read more...]
JABAL AL-NOUR
Saudi Arabia (842 m) – Periodic Home of the Prophet Muhammad Jabal Al-Nour is a tall, rocky hill just outside of the city of Mecca. According to Muslim tradition, it was on this mountain where the Prophet Muhammad received his earliest divine revelations that ultimately led to the foundation of Islam. Often overlooked because of its proximity to the great shrines of Mecca, … [Read more...]
MOUNT EREMOS
Israel/Palestine (N/A) – Biblical Site of the Sermon on the Mount Mount Eremos, better known as the Mount of Beatitudes, is the hill which is traditionally associated with the Sermon on the Mount. Located (according to the Bible) between Capernaum and Gennesaret, Eremos has been recognized as the site of the Beatitudes since the late Roman era, but is not entirely certain. … [Read more...]
MOUNT CARMEL
Israel/Palestine (525 m) – Biblical Site of the Tomb of Elijah Mount Carmel is technically small range of mountains stretching along the traditional northern border of Israel. Generally the term Mount Carmel usually specifies that hill related to the sites of the life of the Elijah including the tomb where it is believed the prophet is buried. Because of this Carmel was an … [Read more...]
MOUNT GEREZIM & MOUNT EBAL
Israel/Palestine (881 m, 940 m) – Biblical Hills Surrounding Shechem Mount Zion and Mount Ebal are two hills around which much of ancient Israel’s history revolved. Once sacred to all the descendants of Abraham, Gerezim and Ebal became the center of religious life for the Northern Kingdom after the division, and remained sacred to the group which later became known as the … [Read more...]
MOUNT ZION & MOUNT OF OLIVES
Israel/Palestine (765 m, 826 m) – Biblical Hills Surrounding Jerusalem Mount Zion and the Mount of Olives are two ancient hills which flank the old walled city of Jerusalem to the south and east respectively. Between them they almost perfectly flank the Temple Mount, the most sacred site in Judaism and also highly revered by both Christians and Muslims as well. Not … [Read more...]
SUGARLOAF
Brazil (396 m) – Most Iconic Mountain in Brazil Sugarloaf is the most iconic of the spectacular granite peaks that rise up out of Guanabara Bay in Rio De Janeiro. Jutting up almost directly from the harbor, it is arguably the most famous natural landmark in Brazil, and an indelibile part of any postcard photograph of the Rio skyline. For clarification, Sugarloaf is not the … [Read more...]
STONE MOUNTAIN
Georgia (545 m) – Largest Exposed Granite Mountain in the World Stone Mountain is one of the most unique geological features in the American south as well as an important historic site. It is famous for the immense carving of three Confederate heroes: President Jefferson Davis, and Generals Robert E. Lee and Stonewall Jackson. Formed by a magma flow, Steon Mountain is just … [Read more...]
PREIKESTOLEN
Norway (604 m) – Most Iconic Mountain in Scandinavia The Preikestolen is an immense outcropping of exposed granite known for the famous cliff at its peak which juts out over the Lysefjorden in southern Norway. The view from this peak, overlooking the specatular blue waters of the coastal fjords, is considered to be one of the most beautiful on Earth. Not surprisingly, it is … [Read more...]
MOUNT ULURU
Australia (863 m) – Most Iconic Mountain in Australia Mount Uluru, an immense rock prominence jutting up from the very middle of the Australian continent, is better known by the name westerners have given it, Ayers Rock. Arguably Australia’s most famous natural site, Uluru is considered to be an island mountain, as it is essentially a large sandstone formation from which the … [Read more...]