With crook knees, bad backs and that niggling pain in the foot that comes and goes, sometimes the idea of climbing mountains and reaching the top of peaks can sound completely impossible. But, thankfully, there are some picturesque mountains around the world that are not just achievable but are a great option for active over-60s wanting to keep their health, fitness and sense of adventure in check. If climbing a mountain is on your bucket list, then take your pick form these achievable mountain summits, perfect for over-60s.
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While Mount Kilimanjaro may be the highest peak in Africa at more than 19,000 m above sea level, it’s not the terrain that makes this mountain a challenge the climb but the altitude. The terrain is made up of simple hiking trails so the most difficult aspect of the hike will be taking it slow to adjust to the thin air. Most people don’t make it to the top simply because altitude sickness hits during ascent. The climb takes five to six days all up and travel at 60 reader Marlene has tackled the climb herself and you can read about her experiences here.
Officially classified as an easy to medium hike, the time it takes to tackle this mountain is around four to five hours, depending on your fitness level. From the top you’ll be able to see the views of the Pacific Ocean and all the way to the Southern Alps, and come across waterfalls and streams along the way. There are rock climbing options on Stony Bay Peak, too, for those who are feeling extra adventurous.
If you’re not feeling up to the challenge of climbing Pikes Peak in Colorado, then there is always the option of driving the car up to the top. Or, if you walk to the top and realise that you don’t have the energy to walk back down, there is always the choice of taking the Pikes Peak Cog Railway, the highest cog railway line in the world. For the hikers, the trek is 20km long and your body will need to adjust to the high altitude as the summit of Pikes Peak towers a tall 14,000 ft high.
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Japan’s iconic Mount Fuji is one of the most climbed mountains in the world and for good reason, the views beautiful at more than 13,000 ft above sea level. The return trip takes about eight hours to complete but plan your trip will because the mountain is open to hikers for just two months of the year in July and August.
Ok, technically Garth Mountain only scrapes in the 1,000 ft minimum height to be considered a mountain (it is 1,007 ft tall) but it still has a peak and it is worth the hike. It’s just over 300m and the mountain is also said to be the inspiration behind the book, that later became a Hugh Grant film, The Englishman Who Went Up a Hill But Came Down a Mountain. As the word Garth actually means Hill in Welsh, it is often simply called The Garth. There are remnants of a workers cottages and a pub on the hillside, and also a plaque commemorating an explosion that occurred during its days as a coal mining area. Watch out for your footing after rain as the rocks and pathways can become particularly slippery.
It’s time to grab your hiking shoes and get going!
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