Mountain Ranges
A compilation of Mother Nature's greatest hits, these 51 destinations need to be at the top of your travel list.
Massive glaciers, staggering mountains, plains dotted with wild animals: We sure live in a big, beautiful world. In fact, when looking at the most beautiful places in the world, it can feel impossible to decide where to visit next. While pinpointing all of Mother Nature's greatest hits could take a lifetime, we think these 51 out-of-this-world landscapes and awe-inspiring wonders—from Arizona to Antarctica—need to move to the very top of your travel list. Whether you're looking for beaches, forests, or national parks, you're sure to find you new favorite destination on this list. Which one will you travel to first?
This gallery was originally published in 2015. It has been updated with new information.
Angel Falls, Venezuela
Venezuela overflows with natural wonders, including the world's highest waterfall: the 3,212-foot cascades of Angel Falls, located in the UNESCO-protected Canaima National Park. Canaima is by far the country's most popular attraction, and the falls stretch an astounding 19 times higher than Niagara Falls. Bonus: Pixar animators used the location as inspiration for Paradise Falls in Up—so you know it's good.
Antarctica
That's right, we put an entire continent on here. Although 99 percent of Antarctica is covered with ice, the landscape still manages to be stunningly diverse—surreal blue glaciers, active volcanoes, the rough waterways of the Drake Passage, and 360-degree views of untouched snow. And those views are made even better when an emperor penguin or humpback whale makes an appearance.
Antelope Canyon, Arizona
Antelope Canyon is a slot canyon (and serious Instagram darling) in the American Southwest. Its Navajo name translates to “the place where water runs through rocks”—an allusion to the canyon’s creation through erosion. The narrow, undulating spaces between rock formations allow for vivid patterns when sunlight filters through the striated stone.
Arashiyama Bamboo Grove, Japan
Every traveler should experience the ethereal glow and seemingly endless heights of this bamboo grove on the outskirts of Kyoto. The experience even extends beyond the visual realm: In 1996, Japan's Ministry of the Environment included the sounds here—wood creaking, leaves rustling—as one of the top 100 Soundscapes of Japan.
114.906 SRY