Alpine Adventures – 10 Photographers Share Their Experiences

Photogenic Alpine Experiences from Nepal to New Zealand

There’s something undeniably magical about the alpine landscape—soaring peaks, crisp mountain air, and a sense of stillness that feels worlds away from everyday life. For photographers, these high-altitude escapes are not just places to explore but opportunities to capture the beauty, drama, and serenity that only the mountains can offer.

In this collection, talented photographers share their most inspiring alpine adventures, revealing the stories behind their breathtaking images. From snowy ridges to glacial valleys, each experience offers a glimpse into the unique connection between photographers and the mountains they love.

Whether you’re drawn to rugged peaks, tranquil valleys, or the thrill of alpine light, these stories are sure to inspire your next mountain escape—and the photographs you’ll create along the way.

Location: Giau Pass, Italian Dolomites

Photographers: Karin and Markus Haffert (Website + Instagram)

Experience Notes: The 2.236 m high Giau Pass (in Italian Passo di Giau) near Cortina d’Ampezzo in the Dolomites in the Italian province of Belluno is spectacular and very popular. Therefore it gets very busy here, especially in high season. But even when we were there in the middle of October there were groups of photographers around. That’s because autumn is the most spectacular season here. However you can always find amazing spots away from the crowds. Once the sun sets, most of them leave (except a few campers) and you have this magical scenery mostly to yourself.

Location: Mount Shasta, California, USA

Photographer: Lisa K. Kuhn (Website + Instagram)

Experience Notes: At over 4,300 meters / 14,000 feet, Mount Shasta dominates its region in Northern California. Spring and late autumn seem to bring out the best views of the mountain, snow-capped with the potential for extraordinary cloud formations. Taken in a local town just ten kilometers / six miles from the base of the mountain proves that you don’t need to be an expert hiker to get views like this. This photo will always mean a lot to me especially because it was shortlisted in the Sony World Photography Awards 2024 Open Competition in the landscape category.

Location: Aletsch Glacier, Switzerland

Photographer: Cedric Favero (Website + Instagram)

Experience Notes: The Aletsch Glacier, located in the Swiss Alps, is the largest glacier in the Alps, stretching over 23 kilometers and covering around 82 square kilometers. Part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Jungfrau-Aletsch, this glacier is renowned for its sweeping, icy expanse framed by rugged mountain peaks. The best access points to the Aletsch Glacier are via the towns of Fiesch, Bettmeralp, and Riederalp in the Swiss canton of Valais. These areas offer excellent facilities and cable cars that take you up to viewpoints with breathtaking views of the glacier.

Tip: From Fiescheralp a 90 minutes easy walk allows you to reach the glacier, via a tunnel (Tälligrattunnel).

Location: Sarangkot Viewpoint, Annapurna Mountain Range, Nepal

Photographer: Peter Walmsley (Website)

Experience Notes: This is a photograph of the Annapurna mountain range taken at sunrise from the Sarangkot viewpoint above the town of Pokhara in Nepal and just under 10km by road. We were in Pokhara for just 2 days and this was one of ‘must do’ sights but it depended on clear weather. The first morning, the view was covered in cloud and our guide asked if we wanted to try again the next day though it was a 4am start and the forecast was not great. Luckily we agreed and were rewarded with this clear vista.

Location: Mayan Face/Indian Nose Viewpoint – Lake Atitlán, Guatemala

Photographer: Dita Arucidisova (Website + Instagram)

Experience Notes:  The Mayan Face Viewpoint, also known as Indian Nose, is a renowned spot perched high in the mountains above Lake Atitlán. Despite being widely advertised by local tour operators offering regular trips to this breathtaking lookout, the spot still retains its captivating allure. It’s an ideal location to witness the sunrise as the sun peeks over the neighboring volcanoes, casting its warm glow across the lake’s surface. The hike to the top takes approximately 40 minutes, and once you arrive, you can relax and enjoy a hot chocolate or coffee, graciously served by the locals. From here, you can also gaze at the distant, active Fuego Volcano, adding to the incredible experience.

Location: Tasman River, Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park, New Zealand

Photographer: Leah Hermann (Website + Instagram)

Experience Notes: This image was taken near the Tasman River, showcasing Aoraki/Mount Cook, Australasia’s highest peak. Located in the Te Wāhipounamu UNESCO World Heritage Area, this location was easily accessible via a short walk and best viewed from a small rise. Guided by a local, I arrived pre-dawn and the unpredictable weather cleared to reveal a serene sunrise, with soft hues lighting up the snow-capped peaks and winding river. The scale of the landscape and changing colours made the experience unforgettable. My tip: Visit at sunrise for magical light and plan around the weather—it can change quickly but is worth the effort.

Location: Banff National Park, Canada

Photographer: April Pancoast (Website + Instagram)

Experience Notes: This photograph was taken on the way to stunning Moraine Lake in Banff, Alberta. I was on an adventure with my sister and three boys. I asked her to stop the car so I could get a photograph, which turned into my walk down the road. As I explored around me I found this beautiful spot. God’s beauty is in all the details of this photo. From the obvious snow covered mountains to the specs of color in the flowers in the foreground. This was such a peace-filled moment, I am so grateful to have had the opportunity to experience.

Location: Deer Valley, Utah, USA

Photographer: Rachel Francis (Website + Instagram)

Experience Notes: Ski areas can offer great opportunities for photographing snow-covered mountains from unique perspectives. This shot was taken from a chair lift in Deer Valley, Utah. When skiing with your camera, make sure to bring a well-padded, water-resistant bag to store it in when not in use, and a secure camera strap to avoid falls (I prefer a wrist-strap when wearing bulky ski gear). And as tempting as it may be to go off-trail to get the perfect shot, always make sure to stay in areas appropriate to your skill level!

Location: Lyngen Alps, Norway

Photographer: Prathibha Muralidhara (Website + Instagram)

Experience Notes: When you hit “Alps” on Google, you probably will not end up getting this as one of your first searches, but it should be on top of your list if you love to photograph mountains, nature, and the uniqueness that this beautiful planet offers. Welcome to the Lyngen Alps, located in the Arctic and up above in the beautiful country of Norway. They are beautiful in any season but winter is the most beautiful and also harsh. These mountain ranges are located in the Troms county of Northern Norway. Back in early 2024, we road-tripped Northern Norway from Tromso to Hammerfest exploring this unique landscape, watching whales take over the North Sea and hunt for bright orange sunsets against the white mountains. Will not lie, driving, walking, and handling your photography gear in the challenging weather of sub-zero is very hard but the results are so worth it. I personally recommend the golden hour when the day and skies are clear because the colors are just breathtaking. If you are visiting especially in wintery, carry proper winter wear for yourself, extra batteries are a must as cold drains the batteries fast and a wide-angle lens to cover the vastness of the Lyngen Alps and fjords.

Location: Mirador Torres del Paine, Patagonia, Chile

Photographer: Lisa Michele Burns (Website + Instagram)

Experience Notes: The remote and rugged region of Southern Chile is a popular destination for hikers, and of course, photographers. Visiting in Autumn when the vibrant forests were bathed in a sea of yellows and reds, my first stop was Torres del Paine National Park, with this viewpoint at the top of my wishlist. The only thing standing between me and this view was a very long hike. A lot of photographers I spoke to recommended leaving around 4-5am to hike in the dark and arrive for sunrise…I left at 7am and made it to the top at 2:30pm. You can put two and two together to work out that it took me a heck of a lot longer than I thought haha. It was tough! The bonus of taking things a little slower on the hike up was that I managed to photograph the alpine scenery, forests and waterfalls along the way. You can read more about the hike and the region here. I had about 10 minutes at the top to photograph the massive pillars and lake before the ranger ushered us back down as a safety precaution, I spent about 8 of those minutes catching my breath…just a tip, if you’re heading up, they stop access after 3pm to ensure everyone can get down safely before night falls. There are so many stunning alpine landscapes across Patagonia, take a peek at the other experiences here.

Keep reading all things alpine…

Is this the best hike in Patagonia? Hiking in El Chalten

Alpine Adventures at Purcell Mountain Lodge, Canada

A Photographer’s Guide to Banff National Park

Photographing the French Alps in Summer -Briancon

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