Abisko
Trailhead village
Northern gateway for Kungsleden and nearby Lapland trekking.
Places
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Mountain towns, trailheads, and base locations
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Aiguille du Midi Station
LiftStation
Upper cable-car station and glacier access point above Chamonix for the Vallée Blanche descent.
Amecameca
Mountain base
Common access base for three-peak routes in the region.
Annapurna Base Camp
Base camp
Annapurna Sanctuary base camp under Annapurna I and surrounding peaks.
Antigua
Mountain base
Common access base for three-peak routes in the region.
Arenas de Cabrales
Mountain town
Main western Picos de Europa base for active walking and climbing trips.
Arthur's Town
Island settlement
Main Cat Island base for Mount Alvernia, monastery walks, and nearby ridge outings.
Arusha
Arrival city
Main northern Tanzania logistics city for Mount Meru and combined mountain trips.
Ashford
Gateway village
South-side base for Mount Rainier ascents.
Bamyan
Mountain town
Main logistics town for the Bamyan highlands, Shah Foladi, and Band-e Amir trekking itineraries.
Band-e Amir
National park base
High lake district in central Afghanistan used for trekking, acclimatisation, and scenic mountain travel around Bamyan.
Banyuwangi
Mountain base
Common access base for three-peak routes in the region.
Basseterre
Arrival city
Main arrival city and logistics base for Saint Kitts and Nevis hiking trips.
Bathsheba
Coastal village
East coast walking base for Chalky Mount and Scotland District itineraries.
Bazarak
Mountain valley town
Primary Panjshir logistics town for Mir Samir and longer high-valley trekking itineraries.
Belize City
Arrival city
Primary arrival city for Belize mountain and inland adventure travel.
Besisahar
Trailhead town
Typical lower-valley roadhead used as the Annapurna Circuit start point.
Bishop
Mountain base
Common access base for three-peak routes in the region.
Borgo Maggiore
Lower town
Best lower access point for Monte Titano and northern ridge walking.
Bovec
Mountain base
Common access base for three-peak routes in the region.
Bridgetown
Arrival city
Primary arrival and logistics base for Barbados walking trips.
Budadiri
Trailhead
Classic Mount Elgon approach village for the Sasa and Sipi-facing summit itineraries.
Cades Bay
Trailhead coast
Useful west-coast access point for longer Nevis walking and summit days.
Canmore
Mountain town
Guide base for classic Canadian Rockies alpine routes.
Cape Town
Mountain base
Common access base for three-peak routes in the region.
Cape Wrath
Remote trail end
The traditional northern finish point for Scotland's Cape Wrath Trail.
Cardiff
Trail city
Southern start point used for the Cambrian Way long-distance crossing of Wales.
Castle Rock
Mountain base
Common access base for three-peak routes in the region.
Cayambe
Mountain base
Common access base for three-peak routes in the region.
Cemoro Lawang
Mountain base
Common access base for three-peak routes in the region.
Chame
Mountain town
Upper valley trekking town used as a key overnight progression stop.
Chamonix
Mountain town
Classic base for Mont Blanc massif climbs and Alpine traverses.
Charlestown
Island town
Primary arrival and logistics town for Nevis Peak itineraries.
Chhukung
Mountain base
Key Khumbu acclimatisation and summit base for Island Peak and nearby high trekking peaks.
Clarence Town
Island town
Long Island service town used for southern Bahamas walking itineraries and ridge excursions.
Clervaux
Highland town
A strong northern base for Luxembourg's highpoint and Ardennes ridge walks.
Codrington
Island settlement
Main settlement and logistics base for Barbuda walking and day trekking itineraries.
Conwy
Trail town
Northern finish point for the Cambrian Way on the north Wales coast.
Copiapó
Gateway city
Atacama logistics hub for Ojos del Salado expeditions.
Cortina d'Ampezzo
Mountain base
Common access base for three-peak routes in the region.
Courmayeur
Mountain town
Italian base for Mont Blanc and Gran Paradiso access.
Dangriga
Coastal gateway town
Main southern logistics point for inland Victoria Peak and Cockscomb-bound travel.
Dieppe Bay Town
Northern base
Northern Saint Kitts logistics base for Mount Liamuiga summit access.
Dudhkunda Lake
Sacred mountain lake
High lake in the Solu region, often paired with Pikey Peak treks.
Echternach
Trail town
Main base for Mullerthal long-distance trail walking and sandstone landscapes.
Edale
Trail town
Southern Pennine Way start and a practical base for Kinder Scout and Dark Peak walking.
Engaresero
Remote base
Rift-side village base for Gelai and Lake Natron trekking itineraries.
English Harbour
Trailhead harbour
Historic harbour settlement used for Shirley Heights, Signal Hill, and southern ridge walking.
Estes Park
Mountain town
Guide base for Longs Peak and nearby Front Range climbs.
Everest Base Camp
Base camp
South-side Everest base camp on the Khumbu Glacier.
Faetano
Village
Useful southern base for lower hill circuits and quiet ridge walking.
Falmouth
Harbour village
South coast village paired with English Harbour for hiking access and overnight logistics.
Fiorentino
Village
A scenic southern San Marino base for multi-day active travel itineraries.
Fort William
Mountain town
Base town for Ben Nevis and west Highlands trips.
Fuente De
Cable car base
Key trailhead base for high Picos routes and classic walking access.
Fujinomiya
Trailhead city
Main southern logistics base for Mount Fuji summit itineraries.
Ghorepani
Mountain village
Well-known Annapurna foothills overnight stop on the Poon Hill corridor.
Ghunsa
Mountain village
High-valley settlement on the Kanchenjunga approach, used for acclimatisation and staging deeper into the conservation area.
Gokyo
High valley village
High Khumbu settlement beside the Gokyo Lakes.
Gotemba
Trailhead town
Eastern Mount Fuji base with easy access to alternative summit routes.
Gouyave
Trailhead town
West coast logistics base for northern Grenada ridge and summit days.
Grand Etang
Trailhead lake
Core trailhead area for crater-lake hikes and Mount Qua Qua routes.
Grindelwald
Mountain base
Common access base for three-peak routes in the region.
Gurye
Mountain town
Common base for Jirisan ascents on the southern side of the national park.
Haines Junction
Gateway town
Main logistics stop for Yukon mountain expeditions.
Hakusan City
Mountain gateway
Main lowland base for Mount Haku logistics and trekking access.
Harrietville
Mountain base
Common access base for three-peak routes in the region.
Hawar Islands
Island outpost
Remote southern Bahrain base for island walking and wildlife-led active travel.
Hillsborough
Island settlement
Main settlement on Carriacou used for lighter island-extension walking itineraries.
Holetown
Coastal base
West coast base used for easier island walking breaks and transfers.
Hörnli Hut
Mountain hut
Primary high-hut staging point for guided Hörnli ridge summit itineraries.
Hotham Heights
Mountain base
Common access base for three-peak routes in the region.
Huaraz
Mountain town
Cordillera Blanca logistics hub for treks, acclimatisation, and alpine climbs.
Imlil
Trailhead village
Main base village for Toubkal and High Atlas trekking routes.
Inverness
Trail city
Northern end of the Great Glen Way and a gateway for Highland trails and transport links.
Jasper
Mountain town
Access base for Mount Athabasca and Columbia Icefield objectives.
Jeju City
City
Main arrival base for Hallasan departures on Jeju Island.
Jolly Harbour
Coastal base
West coast base used for easier coastal walking itineraries and shorter active breaks.
Jomsom
Valley town
Frequent Annapurna Circuit exit town used for onward transfer logistics.
Junik
Mountain base
Common access base for three-peak routes in the region.
Juvasshytta
Mountain base
Common access base for three-peak routes in the region.
Kabul
Arrival city
Primary arrival and staging city for Afghanistan mountain travel, used for internal transfers, staffing, and expedition preparation.
Kals am Grossglockner
Mountain village
Main staging base for guided Grossglockner ascents.
Kamikōchi
Trailhead basin
Japanese Alps access point for Yari and Hotaka itineraries.
Kapkwai
Trailhead
Mount Elgon forest-edge access point used for lower mountain walking, caves, and longer summit traverses.
Kasese
Mountain town
Main logistics town for the Uganda side of the trip and the Rwenzori exit point.
Katesh
Highland town
Main access town for Mount Hanang treks in central northern Tanzania.
Kathmandu
Arrival city
Primary arrival and pre-departure logistics base for Annapurna departures.
Kathmandu
Gateway city
Main arrival city for Nepal trekking and climbing logistics.
Khare
Mountain base
Main staging base for Mera Peak summit rotations and the wider Hinku Valley trekking-peak programme.
Kigali
Arrival city
Arrival and final prep city for Rwanda mountain programmes and short highland extensions.
Killarney
Mountain base
Common access base for three-peak routes in the region.
Kinigi
Gateway village
Main Volcanoes National Park staging point for Bisoke, Karisimbi, Gahinga, and Muhabura.
Kirk Yetholm
Trail village
Traditional northern end of the Pennine Way in the Scottish Borders.
Kranjska Gora
Mountain base
Common access base for three-peak routes in the region.
Krossbu
Mountain base
Common access base for three-peak routes in the region.
Kyanjin Gompa
High mountain village
Upper Langtang valley settlement used for acclimatisation and Yala Peak staging.
La Orotava
Mountain town
Northern Tenerife base for Teide-focused hiking and summit approaches.
Lake Natron
Remote base
Remote volcanic trekking base for Ol Doinyo Lengai and northern Tanzania extensions.
Landmannalaugar
Mountain base
Common access base for three-peak routes in the region.
Latacunga
Mountain base
Common access base for three-peak routes in the region.
Laudat
Trailhead village
Main trailhead village for Boiling Lake, Freshwater Lake, and Morne Trois Pitons approaches.
Llanberis
Mountain village
Primary base for Yr Wyddfa routes and North Wales mountain trips.
Lo Manthang
Walled town
Historic Upper Mustang capital and central objective of the region trek.
Lobuche
Mountain base
High Khumbu base used for Lobuche East summit attempts and Everest region climbing approaches.
Lom
Mountain town
Common staging base for Jotunheimen peak ascents.
Londorossi Gate
Trailhead gate
Western access point used for Lemosho, Shira, and Northern Circuit Kilimanjaro itineraries.
Lone Pine
Mountain town
Eastern Sierra trailhead base for Whitney Zone climbs.
Longido
Mountain town
Main logistics base for Mount Longido trekking close to the Kenyan border.
Louisburgh
Mountain base
Common access base for three-peak routes in the region.
Lukla
Airstrip town
Primary Khumbu air access point for trekking peaks and Everest region trips.
Machame Gate
Trailhead gate
Classic trailhead for Kilimanjaro's Machame Route.
Machha Khola
Trailhead settlement
Lower Budhi Gandaki trailhead used for many Manaslu circuit departures.
Manama
Capital city
Main arrival base for Bahrain walking and short active breaks.
Manang
Acclimatisation town
Primary acclimatisation and rest staging point before Thorong La attempts.
Marangu Gate
Trailhead gate
Historic eastern gate for Kilimanjaro's Marangu Route.
Marigot
Island gateway
East coast gateway used to balance northern and central Dominica trekking access.
Matthew Town
Remote island settlement
Base settlement for Great Inagua walking, birdlife-focused active travel, and East Hill outings.
Mbale
Mountain city
Main service city for Mount Elgon departures, transport, staffing, and equipment staging in eastern Uganda.
Mendoza
Gateway city
Main expedition and permit base for Aconcagua region objectives.
Milngavie
Trailhead town
Traditional southern start point for the West Highland Way.
Misurina
Mountain base
Common access base for three-peak routes in the region.
Mojstrana
Mountain base
Common access base for three-peak routes in the region.
Montenvers
MountainRailwayStation
Mer de Glace railway station and common exit point for the Vallée Blanche descent.
Moshi
Arrival town
Main logistics base for Kilimanjaro climbs and related trekking programmes.
Mount Beauty
Mountain base
Common access base for three-peak routes in the region.
Mount Cook Village
Alpine village
Main access point for Aoraki and Mueller Hut routes.
Mount Shasta
Mountain town
Base for guided and self-guided Mount Shasta itineraries.
Mount Shasta City
Mountain base
Common access base for three-peak routes in the region.
Mountain Pine Ridge
Protected area base
Interior reserve access point for Belize ridge walks, waterfalls, and mountain trekking.
Muktinath
Pilgrimage town
Post-pass descent stop with lodges and transport links.
Murodo
High mountain base
High alpine trailhead and hut area for Tateyama hiking.
Musanze
Base town
Main northern Rwanda service town used before and after Volcanoes National Park trekking.
Musho
Mountain base
Common access base for three-peak routes in the region.
Mweka Gate
Trailhead gate
Common descent gate and logistics node for southern Kilimanjaro itineraries.
Nalemoru Gate
Trailhead gate
Northern approach trailhead used for Rongai Route ascents on Kilimanjaro.
Namche Bazaar
Acclimatisation town
Main Khumbu staging town for trekking peaks and Everest expeditions.
Nanyuki
Gateway town
Primary access town for Mount Kenya trekking and climbing.
Nassau
Arrival city
Primary arrival city for Bahamas walking itineraries and short ridge outings on New Providence.
National Park Village
Mountain base
Common access base for three-peak routes in the region.
New Bight
Island settlement
Useful Cat Island base for south-island walking and longer active breaks.
New Plymouth
Mountain base
Common access base for three-peak routes in the region.
Newcastle
Mountain base
Common access base for three-peak routes in the region.
Nikkaluokta
Trailhead village
Southern access point for Kebnekaise-linked Kungsleden itineraries.
Nyakalengija
Trailhead
Main Uganda-side trailhead for the Central Circuit and the normal start for hut-based Rwenzori expeditions.
Oistins
South coast town
South coast logistics base for short walking holidays and transfer loops.
Old Road Town
Trailhead town
West coast access point for ridge walks and southern Saint Kitts hiking days.
Panajachel
Mountain base
Common access base for three-peak routes in the region.
Pangboche
Mountain village
Khumbu village on the Ama Dablam and Everest trekking corridor, commonly used as a staging point below Ama Dablam.
Pashpa
Mountain base
Common access base for three-peak routes in the region.
Penitentes
Trailhead settlement
Approach base for Aconcagua and surrounding Mendoza objectives.
Phaplu
Airstrip town
Solu gateway used for the classic overland Everest approach.
Placencia
Coastal base
Southern Belize base used for shorter active breaks combining coast and interior trail access.
Pokhara
Gateway city
Main Annapurna staging city for briefing, transfer, and post-trek recovery.
Portsmouth
Trailhead town
Northern logistics base for Morne Diablotins and Cabrits-side trekking days.
Pradollano
Mountain base
Main logistics base for Sierra Nevada summit and trekking itineraries.
Prestatyn
Trail town
Northern terminus of Offa's Dyke Path on the north Wales coast.
Pucón
Adventure town
Volcano-climbing base for Villarrica and regional trekking trips.
Puebla
Mountain base
Common access base for three-peak routes in the region.
Qazi Deh
Trailhead village
Remote Wakhan approach settlement used for Noshaq and high Wakhan trekking departures.
Quito
Gateway city
Primary base for Ecuador volcano acclimatisation circuits.
Radomire
Mountain base
Common access base for three-peak routes in the region.
Ranu Pani
Mountain base
Common access base for three-peak routes in the region.
Remich
River town
Useful southern base for escarpment walking and softer Luxembourg active itineraries.
Riffa
City
Best urban base for the escarpments and central Bahrain ridge walks.
Riobamba
Mountain city
Key staging base for Chimborazo climbs.
Robin Hood's Bay
Trail village
North Sea finish point for the Coast to Coast Walk.
Roseau
Arrival city
Main arrival city and logistics base for Dominica hiking programmes.
Rushaga
Forest gateway
Bwindi gorilla tracking sector used as the forest crossing point in the itinerary.
Rwenzori Central Basin Camp
Mountain camp
Upper basin staging point before moving to summit camp.
Rwenzori Forest Camp
Mountain camp
First mountain camp on the Rwenzori approach.
Rwenzori High Camp
High camp
Summit staging camp for the Margherita Peak attempt.
Rwenzori High Valley Camp
Mountain camp
Higher valley camp used on the acclimatisation progression toward the central basin.
Rwenzori Lower Camp
Mountain camp
Lower camp reached after the Margherita Peak summit day.
Saas-Fee
Resort village
Guide-friendly base for 4000-metre alpine routes.
Sakhir
Desert base
Primary staging area for Jebel Dukhan and desert ridge outings.
Samagaun
Mountain village
Main acclimatisation village below Manaslu on the circuit trek.
San Ignacio
Mountain gateway town
Main inland base for Mountain Pine Ridge and western Belize adventure logistics.
San Marino City
Historic city
The main cultural and logistical base for Monte Titano and the Three Towers walks.
Sauteurs
Northern base
Northern Grenada logistics base for Mount Saint Catherine access.
Scott's Head
Coastal village
Southern trail base for shorter coastal and ridge walking lines.
Seathwaite
Trailhead hamlet
Classic start point for Scafell Pike ascents.
Sedbury
Trail start
Southern trailhead area for Offa's Dyke Path near Chepstow.
Serravalle
Town
A practical base for short San Marino hill walks and wider Rimini-linked breaks.
Sipi Falls
Mountain village
Escarpment base village used for Mount Elgon trekking logistics, recovery nights, and shorter walking programmes.
Skaftafell
Mountain base
Common access base for three-peak routes in the region.
Skógar
Mountain base
Common access base for three-peak routes in the region.
Sokcho
Coastal town
Main access town for Seoraksan trailheads and finishing logistics.
Songxue Lodge
Mountain base
Common access base for three-peak routes in the region.
Sotres
High mountain village
High village base for Picos ridge walks and Naranjo de Bulnes access.
Speightstown
North coast town
Northern island access point for multi-stop Barbados hiking circuits.
Spiterstulen
Mountain base
Common access base for three-peak routes in the region.
St Bees
Trail village
Traditional Irish Sea start for the Coast to Coast Walk.
St George's
Arrival city
Main arrival city and transfer base for Grenada hiking trips.
St John's
Arrival city
Primary arrival and logistics city for Antigua hiking itineraries.
Talkeetna
Gateway town
Air-taxi and expedition staging base for Denali.
Taplejung
Gateway town
Eastern Nepal gateway town used for Kanchenjunga trekking logistics, permits, and final road access before the mountain valleys.
Thorong La
Mountain pass
High-point crossing on the Annapurna Circuit route.
Thorong Phedi
High camp
Summit push base area before crossing Thorong La.
Tlachichuca
Mountain town
Classic acclimatisation and logistics base for Pico de Orizaba.
Toluca
Gateway city
Base city for Nevado de Toluca and central Mexico volcano trips.
Toubkal Refuge
Mountain base
Common access base for three-peak routes in the region.
Toyama
Arrival city
Main city access point for Tateyama and the Northern Alps corridor.
Trevelez
Trailhead village
Classic southern access village for Mulhacen and longer Sierra Nevada routes.
Trout Lake
Mountain base
Common access base for three-peak routes in the region.
Umbwe Gate
Trailhead gate
Steep southern trailhead for the direct Umbwe ascent line on Kilimanjaro.
Valbonë
Mountain base
Common access base for three-peak routes in the region.
Vianden
Castle town
Scenic northern Luxembourg base for ridge walking and active short breaks.
Wanaka
Adventure town
Base for Mount Aspiring-guided objectives and South Island trips.
Whakapapa Village
Mountain base
Common access base for three-peak routes in the region.
Wilwerdange
Village
Closest practical base for Kneiff and the northern Luxembourg high ground.
Wuling
Mountain base
Common access base for three-peak routes in the region.
Yak Kharka
High camp zone
Higher-altitude staging zone on the approach to Thorong Phedi.
Zallaq
Coastal base
Useful coast base for combined beach, desert, and escarpment walking breaks.
Zermatt
Resort town
Swiss high-mountain base for Matterhorn, Breithorn, and Monte Rosa trips.