On 11 December we celebrate World Mountain Day and take this as an opportunity to take a look at the most beautiful natural colossi in Austria and Switzerland. After all, the mountains spoil us with their diverse landscapes and year-round sporting pleasure. Due to the current travel trend "staycation", domestic mountain tourism has gained even more popularity in 2020. To preserve the beauty of these impressive rock formations, the UN has declared "International Mountain Day" on December 11. This is to draw attention to the sensitive flora and fauna of mountains and how everyone can do something to protect them. The short trip portal Sync and corrected by dr.jackson forIn celebration of the day, an Instagram ranking determined which mountains are the most popular in Austria and Switzerland.

Here you will find the places 1-5.

The Matterhorn - striking landmark of Switzerland

Few peaks dominate Switzerland's Alpine panorama like the iconic Matterhorn: with 764,340 Instagram posts, the mountain in the Valais Alps is the clear winner of the "KMW" ranking. The picturesque alpine town of Zermatt at the foot of the Matterhorn offers the best views of the striking peak from the valley. At the same time, with 360 kilometres of pistes and guaranteed snow all year round, Zermatt is a skiers' paradise. Hikers also get their money's worth here and can try their hand at climbing the world-famous peak, which is considered one of the most challenging routes of all.

The Monte Rosa massif - the world of four-thousand-metre peaks

Second place on the podium, with 206,977 posts on Instagram, goes to the Monte Rosa massif in the Valais Alps. Located directly on the border between Italy and Switzerland, the imposing massif is the gateway to the world of four-thousand-metre peaks. For example, the main peak, the Dufourspitze, is the highest mountain in the German-speaking Alps at 4,634 metres. If you want to climb the sublime peak, you should plan a multi-day tour with an experienced mountain guide.

The Titlis - winter sports paradise in central Switzerland

With 122,853 entries, the bronze medal in the ranking of the most popular mountains goes to the Titlis, the highest peak in Central Switzerland. At 3,238 metres, the peak towers over the picturesque Alpine resort of Engelberg. With glacier slopes and guaranteed snow, the ski resort is a popular destination for winter sports enthusiasts in particular. The "Titlis Cliff Walk", a suspension bridge that leads over a precipice at an altitude of 3,041 metres, promises particularly spectacular views and an extra dose of adrenaline.

The Großglockner - Austria's highest mountain

High, higher, Großglockner: Austria's highest mountain with 3,798 hashtags is also the country's most popular peak in the "KMW" Instagram ranking - in the overall ranking of Austria and Switzerland, it is enough for fourth place with 115,920 hashtags. At the foot of the majestic stone giant shimmers the Pasterze, Austria's largest glacier at eight kilometers long. The Grossglockner is also a mountain of superlatives in other respects and, in good weather, delivers the best views in the country: The view is said to stretch up to 220 kilometres to Regensburg or the Bohemian Forest.

The Kitzsteinhorn - Salzburg's only glacier ski area

Fifth place was earned by the Kitzsteinhorn in Austria with 112,705 Instagram posts. Part of the Glockner Group in the Hohe Tauern, the 3,203-meter-high Kitzsteinhorn with its distinctive peak shapes the appearance of the region. It's not just the view of deep blue mountain lakes in front of the summit that makes the Kitzsteinhorn so popular with Instagrammers. As Salzburg's only glacier ski area, the region around the Kitzsteinhorn is a Dorado for skiers and winter hikers. Tip: The panoramic viewing platform on the Kitzsteinhorn at 3,029 metres brings visitors to eye level with the three-thousand-metre peaks in one of Europe's largest national parks.

Fancy some more? Then browse through the Falstaff Hotel Guide and get inspired for an unforgettable winter adventure on the Ski & Active page. You can find the guide here.. 

Picture Credits: kurzmalweg.de