No climbing required: The best views in the world are easy to reach

You can leave those crampons at home. The best views in the world – the sort you can only drink in when standing atop a soaring peak – are no longer the exclusive purview of mountaineers and monks. These days, some of the most remarkable high-altitude experiences are easier to access than ever before.

From Cape Town to Tibet, Bolivia to New Zealand, we have rounded up some of the most exciting elevated experiences available to non-climbers, from trains and funiculars to a rugged four-wheel-drive adventure. Some of these adventures will get your adrenaline going faster than a rollercoaster; others are positively relaxing. If you are in the mood for a high-rise experience with zero risk of frostbite, check out our list below.

Cape Town, South Africa

The ride See Cape Town from above when you take the aerial cableway 1067 metres up Table Mountain

Tell me more The unmistakable shape of Table Mountain looms high above Cape Town, but the trip to the top is surprisingly speedy. Ten minutes is all it takes aboard the Table Mountain Aerial Cableway, which will celebrate its 100th anniversary in 2029. We love the way the floor rotates slowly during the trip, ensuring every passenger gets to enjoy the view.

Life at the top Table Mountain is known for its spectacular views: on a clear day you can see not just Robben Island and the Twelve Apostles but as far as the Drakenstein Mountains. Join a free guided walking tour or explore the various hiking trails on your own. Local fauna to keep an eye out for include dassies (rock hyraxes) and mongoose.

Don’t miss Want to add some adrenaline to the experience? Take the cableway to the top of the mountain, then abseil down with Cape Town Abseil (capetownabseil.co.za).

Essentials Table Mountain Aerial Cableway operates seven days a week, between about 8.30am and 8pm (hours vary seasonally). Tickets from ZAR280 ($24) one way and ZAR430 ($37) return. See tablemountain.net

Flam, Norway

The ride Go full tilt on the super-steep Flam Railway, rising 867 metres from Aurlandsfjord up to the mountain station of Myrdal.

Tell me more This 20-kilometre railway in western Norway is among the steepest railways that run on normal track, with 80 per cent of the journey running on a gradient of 5.5 per cent. Its 20 tunnels – including a horseshoe-shaped one that spirals in and out of the mountains – were mostly carved by hand.

Life at the top The views on this trip are stunning – keep an eye out for the cascading waterfalls – so you will want to use your time in Myrdal to explore more of the local landscape. The most adventurous option is a ride on Scandinavia’s longest zipline, stretching almost 1400 metres. Instead of taking the train back down you can also hike or bike along the mountain trail to Flam – allow two hours by bike, a little longer on foot. Alternatively, the train to Bergen and Oslo leaves from Myrdal station.

Don’t miss Train buffs will want to spend some time in the Flam Railway Museum before climbing on board.

Essentials The Flam Railway is open every day, with four departures in low season, up to nine during peak summer. A range of packages is available, with round trip tickets from NOK 530 ($79.30). See flamsbana.no

Mauna Kea, Hawaii

The ride Take the wheel on a hair-raising drive 4205 metres up Hawaii’s highest mountain.

Tell me more Talk about a change in the weather. Mauna Kea mountain soars so high that temperatures on the summit regularly sit around zero degrees, so pack a layer or two. The four-wheel drive from Hilo isn’t long – just over an hour – but its sharp turns, steep drop-offs and frequent snow and ice mean it should only be tackled by experience off-roaders. (Be aware that many rental car contracts specifically exclude this drive.)

Life at the top There are some nice short hikes on the otherworldly summit, including a two-kilometre one to Lake Waiau, but most people come up here for the incredible stargazing. No fewer than 13 observatories, home to some of the world’s largest telescopes, are positioned here.

Don’t miss Mauna Kea rises from the ocean floor and its total height of 10,210 metres makes it the highest mountain in the world from base to summit, so take a moment to feel the awe.

Essentials The safest way to tackle Mauna Kea is on an organised tour such as the eight-hour Sunset and Stargazing Experience, which includes insights into culture, geography, geology and natural history as well as the chance to explore the night sky through large portable telescopes. From $US300 ($469). See maunakea.com

Whistler Blackcomb, Canada

The ride Double your mountain high aboard the Peak 2 Peak Gondola (elevation 1850 metres) between Blackcomb and Whistler Mountains.

Tell me more It only takes 11 minutes to ride the Peak 2 Peak; pretty impressive considering this three-kilometre ride has the world’s longest free span between ropeway towers. With so much to drink in – glaciers, alpine lakes, soaring mountain ranges – you will probably end up doing this trip more than once. The two glass-bottomed pods are particularly popular, as are the pods bedecked with designs from indigenous artists.

Life at the top Whistler is best-known for its winter sports, with more than 200 kilometres of ski trails connecting Whistler and Blackcomb, but it is also a terrific summer destination. Come in early summer to see the imposing labyrinthine Snow Walls sculpted above Pika’s Traverse, slightly later to see the wildflowers bloom. For more dazzling views try The Cloudraker Skybridge and the Raven’s Eye lookout, or stretch your legs on some of the 48 kilometres of hiking trails.

Don’t miss No need to pack a picnic: at Whistler you can grab a casual meal at Roundhouse lodge or book in for a farm-to-table meal at Steeps Grill & Winebar.

Essentials Summer day tickets cost $CA99 ($111) for adults; winter day tickets cost $CA145 ($163) for adults. See whistler.com

Lake Titicaca, Bolivia

The ride Cast off on a memorable boat ride to an island 3810 metres above sea level.

Tell me more For zero exertion at impressive altitude, this two-hour ride across the world’s highest navigable lake takes some beating. The boat takes you from the port of Copacabana to the island known as Isla del Sol. And if that’s not enough altitude for you, the hike to the highest point on the island will take you 4050 metres above sea level.

Life at the top Covering just 14 square kilometres, Isla del Sol has some impressive ruins built by the pre-Incan Aymara people and later expanded by the Inca. Highlights include the labyrinthine structure at Chincana consisting of maze-line stone walls and tiny doorways, and the so-called Incan Stairway with its terraced gardens. You can take them in on the 12-kilometre hike from Challapampa in the island’s north to Yumani in the south.

Don’t miss To really savour the serenity, spend the night on the island: the Ecolodge La Estancia (ecolodge-laketiticaca.com) is a good choice.

Essentials Ferries to Isla del Sol depart Copacabana twice daily, usually about 8.30am and 1.30pm. Tickets cost about 20-30 Bolivianos ($4.50-$6.80) one way; in peak season, get your ticket the day before.

Victoria Peak, Hong Kong

The ride Rise high above the city’s skyscrapers when you take the funicular 396 metres to the top of Victoria Peak.

Tell me more About 17,000 people a day take the Victoria Peak Tram, which runs from Central all the way to the top of Hong Kong’s highest mountain. The ride from bottom to top takes about 10 minutes and is renowned for its head-spinning views, with Hong Kong’s soaring tower appearing to lean on gradients of between four and 25.7. (Sit on the right side going up, the left side going down, for the full effect.)

Life at the top There is plenty to do atop Victoria Peak, from visiting Madame Tussauds or the lush Victoria Peak Garden to tackling the easy 3.5-kilometre Peak Circle Walk. Top viewpoints include the free observation deck at Peak Galleria, or head for one of the restaurants at Peak Tower for jaw-dropping views while you dine.

Don’t miss Trainspotters will want to walk back downhill – examples of the previous versions of the tram are arranged along the pathway.

Essentials Operates daily 7.30am to 11pm; trams depart every 10 to 15 minutes. Tickets from $HK76 ($15.30) one way, $HK108 ($21.70) return. See thepeak.com.hk

Tasman Glacier, New Zealand

The ride Feel on top of the world when you take a helicopter flight to the top of a 2000-metre-high glacier.

Tell me more The Picnic among the Peaks experience by Mount Cook Ski Planes and Helicopters culminates in the ultimate high-rise picnic atop the Tasman Glacier.

Life at the top Admire some of the South Island’s most remarkable scenery on this exhilarating ride. Make sure your camera is fully charged so you can snap photos of a whole host of glaciers – Franz Josef, Fox, La Perouse and Belfour Glaciers – as well as the snow-capped peaks of Aoraki Mount Cook and Mount Tasman. Once you land on the glacier, your pilot will set up a table laden with gourmet treats including cheese, charcuterie, crackers and dip. (No, you won’t get a wet bottom – picnic chairs are supplied.) Toast your adventure with bubbles before climbing back aboard for a scenic flight around New Zealand’s highest peak before returning to base.

Don’t miss This flight can also be done on a ski plane.

Essentials From $NZ3999 ($3681) for up to six people, departing Franz Josef Heliport. See mtcookskiplanes.com

Medellin, Colombia

The ride Enjoy one of the world’s most exciting public-transport commutes aboard the metro-cable 1620 metres to Comuna 13.

Tell me more Medellin has come a long way since the dark days of Pablo Escobar, and the metro-cable public transport system has played a significant part in the city’s rejuvenation. Designed to connect rich and poor neighbourhoods, its metro train traverses the flat before linking to cable cars that reach the more impoverished high-altitude districts.

Life at the top Of Medellin’s six metro-cable lines, Line J is among the most interesting. Alight at San Javier metro station and walk uphill to explore the neighbourhood of Comuna 13. Once one of the city’s most notorious neighbourhoods, it is now a lively spot featuring a rich collection of colourful murals as well as a magnificent outlook across the city.

Don’t miss The escaleras electricas are a set of six escalators surrounded by incredible street art. Take bus 221i or 225 from San Javier metro station.

Essentials Metro-cable tickets cost about $1.50. It’s safe to ride the metro-cable on your own, although for more insights about the neighbourhood consider a walking tour with an operator such as Parche Tours (parchetour.co) See colombia.travel

Lhasa, Tibet

The ride Take a seat on the world’s highest railway train from Xining in China to the 3565 metre-high Tibetan city of Lhasa.

Tell me more About half of this remarkable 2000-kilometre-long railway sits above 4000 metres, allowing passengers to marvel at some of the most remote scenery in the world. That includes vast salt lakes, glaciers, high-altitude grasslands and the breathtaking 5000-metre Tanggula Pass.

Life at the top Lhasa has three impressive UNESCO World Heritage sites, including the summer palace of the Dalai Lama and its surrounding gardens, and Jokhang Temple, which houses Tibet’s holiest object: a jewel-laden statue of the wife of the king who commissioned the temple. The absolute highlight is the fortress-like Potala Palace, Tibet’s traditional centre of religious political power, where 1000 rooms spreading over 13 storeys contain many of Tibet’s greatest treasures, from sculptures and frescoes to exquisite porcelain.

Don’t miss Breathe easy: oxygen is piped into the train to help passengers avoid altitude sickness on the 22-hour journey.

Essentials Foreigners need a special permit to enter Tibet, best obtained through a Chinese travel agency that can also organise your train ticket. Prices from CNY781 ($169) for a soft sleeper and CNY495 ($107) for a hard sleeper, though prices rise sharply during the July-August peak. See chinatibettrain.com

Zermatt, Switzerland

The ride Cross the border between Switzerland and Italy at 3500 metres on the Matterhorn Alpine Crossing.

Tell me more Much of the time, crossing a border in Central Europe is a non-event. This sky-high crossing, via a series of cable cars linking Zermatt with the Italian Alpine resort town of Cervinia, puts the romance back in the experience. The trip can be completed in as little as 90 minutes, but it’s a lot more fun if you alight at some of the nine stations along the way.

Life at the top Your one-way ticket is valid for two days, allowing you plenty of time to explore. In winter, go skiing or ice skating; in summer, try hiking, mountain biking, boating and fishing. Engineering fans will want to alight at Cime Bianche to check out the imposing hydro dam. The views along the way are gobsmacking, particularly at the Matterhorn Glacier Paradise viewing platform, the highest in Europe, where you can gaze out on 38 4000-metre peaks and 14 glaciers in three different countries.

Don’t miss Ever walked through an ice tunnel? That’s part of the fun at Glacier Palace, where ice tunnels take you through a glacier onto the ice slide.

Essentials Pricing is seasonal; one-way trips from CHF124 ($233). See matterhornalpinecrossing.com

All-time lows

Don’t have a head for heights? All these places sit firmly below sea level.

The Dead Sea, Jordan and Israel
Elevation: 430 metres below sea level
A lifeless salt lake makes for an unlikely tourist destination, but the Dead Sea has pulled off the feat, drawing travellers who slather themselves in mineral-rich mud and have fun floating in the ultra-salty water.

Turfan (Turpan) Depression, China
Elevation: 155 metres below sea level
The Turfan Depression is not for wimps. This mountain basin in Xinjiang Province is known both for its extreme aridity and its extreme temperatures, with searing summers alternating with freezing winters.

Lake Assal, Djibouti
Elevation: 153 metres below sea level
It’s strictly no-swimming at this African lake, the second-saltiest body of water in the world after Antarctica’s Don Juan Pond. Fed in part by hot springs, this crater lake in western Djibouti sits at the northern end of the Great Rift Valley.

Badwater Basin, US
Elevation: 86 metres below sea level
No marketing team would have signed off on the name, but Badwater Basin has become one of the highlights of a trip to California’s Death Valley National Park. Covering more than 500 square kilometres, this salt flat has a surreal beauty.

Kati Thanda–Lake Eyre, Australia
Elevation: 15 metres below sea level
This South Australian salt lake, the biggest in the country, was formed about 200 million years ago. It is a favourite destination for outback adventurers – especially when floodwaters bring it to life, an event happening now – and is accessed via the Oodnadatta Track.