The Hoher Ifen, or Hochifen, is the highest point of the ifen plateau, which goes up tilted to the Ifenmauer, the northern rock face. Even though not being one of the highest summits of the Allgäu Alps, it offers a wide view over the German-Austrian border region. The Gottesacker (“God's Acre”) in the north, an almost moonscape-like karstic plateau, is particularly impressive. Today it is a nature reserve and home to rare animals and flowers. In 1998 a dwelling site from the Stone Age on the eastern flank was discovered, and later excavated.
Der Hohe Sonnblick ist der höchste Berg der Goldberggruppe in den Hohe Tauern. Der Name Goldberggruppe geht auf die Goldminen-Geschichte der Region zurück. Das vom 13. bis ins frühe 19. Jahrhundert geförderte Gold war eine der Grundlagen für den Reichtum des Erzstifts Salzburg. In jüngerer Vergangenheit litt der Sonnblick sehr unter dem Klimawandel, die Gletscher schmelzen und der Permafrost taut auf. 2003 wurde der Gipfel mit Spritzbeton und Gebirgsankern befestigt.
Hooge is the second-largest Hallig in the Wadden Sea. Its houses stand on ten inhabited dwelling mounds that protect them from storm surges. A low dyke guards against even more frequent flooding.
Humphreys Peak, a dormant volcano, is Arizona's highest mountain and the highest peak of the San Francisco Mountains. It is considered to be the easiest of all the US state high points to summit. Many hikers start the ascent from the nearby ski area Arizona Snowbowl, following a 5 mile trail. The San Francisco Mountains are of significant spiritual importance for a number of native tribes, among them the Navajo and the Hopi.
The Isle of Sheppey lies in the Thames estuary. The flat island is separated from the mainland only by a narrow channel. Its beaches are popular day-trip destinations.
Mexikos dritthöchster Berg, Iztaccihuatl oder kurz Ixta, erhebt sich nördlich des Popocatépetl zwischen der Hauptstadt und Puebla. Der Name des Bergs kann mit „weisse Dame“ übersetzt werden, denn von Osten oder Westen aus gesehen erscheint das Profil des Bergrückens wie eine liegende Frau mit Kopf, Brust, Knien und Füssen. Die besten Wetterbedingungen für den Aufstieg auf den Berg herrschen im Frühjahr. Aufgrund der Höhe über 5000 Meter sollte dabei ausreichend Zeit für die Akklimatisierung eingeplant werden.
Situated nearby the four-thousanders of the Pennine Alps, the Jegihorn appears rather small. However the peak is a popular destination for climbers. The rope bridge on the via ferrata Jägihorn is particularly famous and opened from June to October. From the top of the Jegihorn a breath-taking panorama offers views of the neighbour summits of the Mischabel Group, the Bernese Alps, and the Rhône Valley.
Nur wenige Menschen haben bisher den Gipfel des Jirishanca, des „Kollibrischnabels aus Eis“ erreicht. Die steil aufragende Felspyramide in der Cordillera Huayhuash ist auch als das „Matterhorn der Anden“ bekannt. Im Juli 1957 gelang den Österreichern Toni Egger und Siegfried Jungmair die Erstbesteigung über die Nordostwand. Diese Route wurde 1969 zum zweiten und bisher letzten mal erfolgreich begangen. Im selben Jahr gelang auch der erste Aufstieg über die Westwand.
The car-free island is nowhere wider than 900 metres, so the sea is never far away and its surf is always audible. On Juist, horse-drawn carriages carry people and goods.
The Julier Pass is a significant mountain pass located in the Swiss Alps, reaching an elevation of 2284 meters. It connects the Engadin valley in the canton of Graubünden with the rest of Switzerland and offers stunning vistas of the surrounding peaks. With its rich history as an ancient trade route and its modern importance as a major roadway, the Julier Pass attracts both travelers and outdoor enthusiasts alike.
Die Jungfrau ist der höchste Gipfel des Dreigestirns, das sie gemeinsam mit Eiger und Mönch bildet. Die Eröffnung der Zahnradbahn zum Jungfraujoch auf über 3400 Meter Höhe im Jahr 1912 machte den Berg zu einem der am leichtesten zugänglichen Viertausender der Alpen. Der Name ging womöglich von der am Nordhang gelegenen Wengernalp, die von den Nonnen des ehemaligen Frauenklosters Interlaken Jungfrauenberg genannt wurde, mit der Zeit auf die Jungfrau über.
On the border between China and Pakistan the K2 rises steeply into the sky. It is the second highest mountain on earth and the highest peak in the Karakoram. The name goes back to the British who labeled the highest summits of the mountain range K1 to K5. Masherbrum or K1, almost 800 meters lower than K2, appeared to be the higher mountain to them at first. Reaching the summit of K2 is regarded as significantly more difficult than the ascent of Mount Everest. It involves a greater level of technical climbing and the mountain is even more exposed to extreme winds and storms, making summit attempts even more challenging, or completely impossible. The first successful ascent was accomplished in 1954. Until 2015 only about 300 other climbers reached the top of the mountain.
Mount Kailash is located in southern Tibet close to the Nepalese and Indian border, in a region that has long been considered one of the most inaccessible in the world. Its name meaning "precious snow crystal" was given due to its unique diamond shape. Especially in Buddhism and Hinduism Mount Kailash is considered to be a sacred mountain. Buddhists believe that circling around the mountain for 108 times leads to enlightenment. Due to the mountains religious significance, a climbing ban was issued. Thus Mount Kailash remains unclimbed to this day.
South of the Chiemsee lake the Kampenwand rises with its distinctive rock mountain top, resembling of a rooster's comb (German: Kamm). This makes the mountain easy to spot, even from greater distances. Not on the main summit, but on the four meters lower east summit is the highest summit cross in the Bavarian Alps with a height of 12 meters. In winter the Kampenwand Cable Car transports skiers into the winter resort Kampenwand–Aschau on the northeastern slopes. Ascending the main summit, about 200 meters above the mountain station, is possible by hiking with only short climbing passages. But Kampenwand has much more to offer for climbers, mountainbikers, and freeriders.
Kangchenjunga is the high point of India, on the border to Nepal. The third highest mountain on Earth is also the easternmost 8000er. Until the 1850 it was even assumed to be the highest mountain on the planet, before Mount Everest and K2 were both confirmed to be higher. The mountain’s name can be translated as “the five treasures of the high snow”. One interpretation is that the name refers to Kangchenjunga’s five highest peaks, four of which reach heights of more than 8000 metres. There are three climbing routes to the summit from Nepal. The fourth route from India, which was only climbed successfully three times, is officially closed since 2000. The first known ascent of Kangchenjunga was accomplished in 1955.
The first Norwegian king established his court on Karmøy. The strait between the island and the mainland is an important shipping route once known as the North Way – and it gave Norway its name.
Der Kazbek (auch Kasbek oder Qasbegi) ist ein Fünftausender im Zentrum des Kaukasus, auf der Grenze zwischen Georgien und Russland. Nach dem Elbrus handelt es sich um den zweithöchsten Vulkan der Gebirgskette, weswegen er zu den Volcanic Seven Second Summits gezählt wird. Der ikonische Vulkankegel spielt auch eine Rolle in der georgischen Mythologie. Der Legende nach wurde einst Amirani, eine georgische Version des Prometheus, an den Berg gekettet, da er das Feuer von den Göttern stahl und an die Menschen weitergab. Auf etwa 2100 Metern Höhe befindet sich am Berg die Kirche Gergetis Sameba, die einzige Kuppelkirche im georgischen Hochgebirge.
Kebnekaise is Sweden's highest mountain. It is situated in the far north of the country, about 150 kilometers north of the Arctic Circle. The mountain consists of two main summits. For a long time the southern peak (Sydtoppen) was the higher of the two. It was highly glaciated and since the ice at the summit strongly decreased in recent years, nowadays the mostly ice-free northern peak (Nordtoppen) is the high point of the massif.
The Kilimanjaro, or more precisely Uhuru Peak on the crater of Kibo, is Africa's highest summit. The Kilimanjaro massif is formed of three volcanoes, including Mawenzi, Africa's third highest summit. The snow-covered top of the massif can be seen from far away. The first recorded ascent of Kibo was made in 1889. When climbing from the base to the top of the mountain a number of different vegetation zones will be passed. Tropical rain forest goes up as high as 3000 metres, followed by moss and desert in the higher regions, and snow and glaciers on the summit. The surrounding Kilimanjaro National Park has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Kings Peak is Utah's highest summit. Before 1966, when sattelite measurements were taken, the second highest summit South Kings Peak was believed to be the higher of the two mountains. Both mountains were named after Clarence King, a surveyor and the first director of the United States Geological Survey.
The Kitzsteinhorn is part of the Glockner Group in the High Tauern. The first summit ascent was made by Johann Entacher in 1828. The first Austrian glacier ski are was opened at the Kitzsteinhorn in 1965. An observation deck on 3029 metres offers an excellent view of the neighboring summits.
Ko Lanta is arguably the most beautiful island of Thailand. Situated in the southwest of the country it actually consists of two islands lined with turquoise-blue bathing bays. While the main island of Lanta Yai has numerous hotels and tourist attractions, the northern island of Lanta Noi has mostly been left untouched. This balance between thriving tourism and pristine nature makes Ko Lanta unique.
Die Königspitze (ital.: Gran Zebrù) befindet sich südlich vom Ortler und bildet mit diesem sowie mit dem Zebrù, eine markante Dreiergruppe. Sie ist zwar nur der zweithöchste Berg der Ortler Alpen, wird aber häufig als ihr Schönster bezeichnet. Der Alpinist Julius Meurer sprach im 19. Jahrhundert von der Königspitze als „formvollendetsten, vornehmsten Berg im ganzen Bereich der Ostalpen“.
Eingebettet zwischen den steilen Hängen von Watzmann und Hagengebirge liegt versteckt im Nationalpark Berchtesgaden der Königssee. Seine atemberaubende Naturkulisse ist geprägt von den fast senkrecht abfallenden Hängen der umliegenden Gebirge. Durch die einzigartige Architektur des Geländes ist eine Erkundung des kristallblauen Wassers nur mit dem Boot möglich, Fuß- oder Radwege um den See gibt es nicht.
Korvatunturi lies in the Finnish part of Lapland, on the border to Russia. It is not so much its height, but rather the distinctive, sharp main summits which set the mountain apart from the surrounding area. Korvatunturi is especially well-known due to a popular Finnish story from the 1920s. According to the tale the mountain is the home of Joulupukki, the Finnish equivalent of Father Christmas.
Die Kräuterin ist eine markante Kuppe des Hochstadl und der höchste Punkt der Ybbstaler Alpen. Der Gipfel erhebt sich nördlich des Salzatals, der ihn von der Hochschwabgruppe trennt. Die Kräuterin ist schroff, felsig und hat mehrere Nebengipfel, zwischen denen sich weitläufige Almwiesen erstrecken.
The impressive chalk cliffs are the iconic landmark of Rügen. The fascinating colour contrast between lush green forest, chalk-white limestone walls and turquoise-blue sea water has been attracting large numbers of tourists and inspired several well-known poets and painters over the years. One of the most famous among them was the romantic Caspar David Friedrich, who immortalized the play of colours in his painting “Kreidefelsen auf Rügen”.
Das Kreuzjoch ist der höchste Berg der Kitzbüheler Alpen und zugleich auch deren südwestlicher Eckpfeiler. Westlich des Berges beginnt das Zillertal, südöstlich das Gerlostal. Der Gipfel ist leicht zu besteigen. Sowohl von Gerlos, als auch von Zell am Ziller führen Seilbahnen den Berg hoch, jedoch nicht bis ganz auf den Gipfel.
Austria's highest waterfall is located in the High Tauern National Park: the Krimml Waterfalls. Over 380 meters the Krimmler Ache plunges over three cascades into the Salzach, which itself flows into the Inn. The natural spectacle can be best admired from the hiking trail Krimml Wasserweg, which each year leads large numbers of visitors into the iridescent drizzle of the roaring water.
Auf eine Höhe von fast 2500 Metern erhebt sich der Kriváň in der Hohen Tatra, dem höchsten Teil der Karpaten. Seinen Namen verdankt der Berg der gebogenen Gifpelform. Krivý bedeutet auf slowakisch krumm und so ist der Berg im deutschen auch als Krummhorn bekannt. Der Kriváň wird manchmal als „das Matterhorn der Slowakei“ bezeichnet und wurde mehrfach zum schönsten slowakischen Gipfel gekürt. Seit dem 19. Jahrhundert ist er zu einem der nationalen Symbole des Landes geworden.
La Meije, in the French Dauphiné Alps, is one of the best-known mountains of France, besides the Mont Blanc. For climbers the highest peak, la Grand Pic, is said to be one of the most challenging obstacles in the Alps. The first successful ascent was made in 1877. The name “Meije” is going back to the Provençal word “Meidjour”, meaning “midday”.
La Saulire is located in the world's biggest ski area “Les Trois Valléés”, on the border between the resorts “Courchevel” and “Méribel/Mottaret”. In winter tens of thousands of skiers pass the summit each day. Most of them use the groomed slopes. Only few are courageous enough to take the couloirs, some wild, steep, and narrow ski-runs in between the rocks.
The Lagginhorn is the second four-thousander in the Weissmies Group in Valais, close to the Italian border. It is also the lowest four-thousander in Switzerland. The ascent of the Lagginhorn is considered to be only slightly more difficult than that of the neighbouring Weissmies, which is only 7 metres higher. The popular normal route to the summit, which was already chosen for the first succesful ascent in 1856, starts in Saas-Grund in the valley and goes via the Weissmieshütte in about 2700 metres.
Langeneß is the largest Hallig in the Wadden Sea. Its inhabitants live on 18 dwelling mounds that turn into small islands during storm surges. Goods reach the island by narrow-gauge trolley line.
The car-free island is particularly popular with families. The colourful island railway carries visitors into the village. Langeoog's landmark is the water tower built on a dune.
West of the Sella group the peaks of the Langkofel or Sassolungo Group form a nearly perfect half circle. The two dominant summits are the Langkofel (Sassolungo) in the northeast as the highest peak of the group and Plattkofel (Sasso Piatto) in the southwest. Due to the many ski resorts in the winter the area can be accessed with various aerial lifts, among them a gondola from Sella Pass to the mountain hut Utia Toni Demetz. The famous ski circuit Sella Ronda also leads alongside the Langkofel Group.
