Anyone who takes a tour to the 10 highest mountains in Europe will not only find something in the Alps, but can travel across Europe from east to west. A journey through ten countries traces the highest peaks in Europe from the outermost border to Asia to the vicinity of Africa and south-east Europe.
From the east…
Which massif in Europe is the number 1 of the highest mountains in Europe? In the Russian Caucasus Mountains, a watershed forms the border between Asia and Europe. This makes Elbrus – the “conical mountain” – located just a little north of the watershed in Europe – at an impressive 5,642 meters, by far the highest peak in Europe. In ancient times, Elbrus was the penitentiary of Prometheus, who had brought fire to people.
… over the Alps…
In second place, at 4,810 meters, is the well-known Montblanc in the Savoy Alps in the French-Italian border area, with the French claiming ownership of the summit area. The “white mountain” is the highest mountain in the Alps and was first conquered in 1786 by Jacques Balmat and Michel Gabriel Paccard. Its exact height was determined a year later by the natural scientist Horace Bénédict de Saussure using a barometer. The Dufourspitze in the Monte Rosa massif in the border area of Switzerland and Italy, with 4,634 meters, ranks 3rd in the top ten and is also the highest mountain in Switzerland, which is rich in high mountain ranges. The Dufourspitze was originally called Gornerhorn, which roughly means “strong mountain”. Italy’s highest mountain at 4,061 meters is the Gran Paradiso. It takes 4th place in the 10 highest mountains in Europe and is entirely on Italian soil in the nature reserve of the same name. Further east in Austria is the number 5 of the highest peaks, the Großglockner, a three-thousand-meter peak at an altitude of 3,798 meters.
… with a detour to the Canary Islands…
The Pico de Teide, an imposing mountain of volcanic origin, ranks sixth among the 10 highest mountains in Europe. The mountain rises to 3,717 meters on the Canary Island of Tenerife, which is part of Spain, and is located near Africa. It is the third highest volcano on an island in the world. The last eruption on the Teide massif took place in 1909.
… and all the way to Europe’s southeast
8th on the hit list of the highest mountains in Europe is Pic de Coma Pedrosa, located in the Pyrenees in the small principality of Andorra, which is just under three thousand meters at 2,943 meters. It almost reaches the Zugspitze in the German Wetterstein Mountains, which with 7,962 meters secures 7th place among the highest mountains in Europe. At 2,930 meters, the Musala in Bulgaria is the highest mountain in the Balkans and ranks ninth. It received its name, which means “praise of God”, from the Ottomans in the 15th century. The tenth and last peak of the 10 highest mountains in Europe, Mount Olympus in Greece, is said to have been the seat of the Greek gods and measures 2,911 meters.