I know it’s very Capetonian of us but sometimes, when life is being just a bit shitty, it helps to turn towards that flat-topped beauty that watches over our city and stare pensively until the gloom passes. This is especially helpful on Mondays so feel free to stare to your heart’s content, we’re not paying your salary.

Of course there other places in the world where a good bout of mountain-ogling could also be used to soothe the nerves, something that the Telegraph highlighted when compiling their list of the world’s most beautiful mountains.

Below you can find eight rippers from around the world:

Matterhorn, border of Switzerland and Italy

The first successful ascent of the Matterhorn was completed by Edward Whymper, Lord Francis Douglas, Charles Hudson, Douglas Hadow, Michel Croz, and two Zermatt guides, Peter Taugwalder father and son, 150 years ago today. An accident on the descent saw four of the party perish.

Mount Damavand, Iran

The second-highest volcano in Asia, Damavand is significant in Persian mythology. It forms part of the Volcanic Seven Summits mountaineering challenge (along with Kilimanjaro, Pico de Orizaba, Mount Sidley, Mount Giluwe, Elbrus and Ojos del Salado).

Elevation: 5,610m, first ascent: 905

Stetind, Norway

This distinctive buy prednisone online peak was named Norway’s “National Mountain” in a radio poll in 2002.

Elevation: 1,392m, first ascent: 1910

Tre Cime di Lavaredo, Italy

Three distinctive peaks in the Sexten Dolomites: Cima Grande, Cima Ovest and Cima Piccola.

Elevation: 2,999m (Cima Grande), first ascent: 1869 (Cima Grande)

The Eiger, Switzerland

This peak in the Swiss Alps was first summitted in 1858, but no-one completed the toughest ascent, via the north face, until July 24, 1938.

Elevation: 3,970m, first ascent: 1858

Mount Roraima, Venezuela/Brazil

A mesa or “tepui” first described by Sir Walter Raleigh in 1596. It served as inspiration for the Disney/Pixar film Up.

Elevation: 2,810m, first ascent: 1884

El Capitan, USA

A vertical rock formation in the Yosemite National Park, it is a favourite for climbers and BASE jumpers, despite once being considered impossible to ascend.

Elevation: 2,308m, first ascent: 1958

Table Mountain, South Africa

An obvious choice, but one that can’t be ignored. It is one of Cape Town’s biggest tourist attractions, with a cable car taking visitors to the top.

Elevation: 1,084m, first ascent: 1503

Come now, you didn’t think we would pass up the chance to lavish praise on the city of Cape Town did you?

You can check out the rest of the Telegraph’s picks HERE.

[source:telegraph]