Man oh man are we excited for this guide. Mountains are MADE for adventure elopements, and we are made to capture your elopement at the top of those mountains!! If you’re looking to elope in the mountains, we can’t wait to help make your dreams come true. Check out our list of our Top 10 Worldwide Mountain Elopement Locations (must-see hikes included!) below, and let us know if there’s a mountain you’d add to this list!! Oh and if you’re looking for a more local mountain elopement, check out our best US Mountain elopement locations guide here!
italian dolomites, italy
All the mountains in this guide are total GOATs, but the Italian Dolomites take the cake. Situated in the northern Italian Alps, the Dolomites include 18 glorious peaks rising above 3,000 meters. We’re talking sheer cliffs, narrow, deep and long valleys and breathtaking mountain landscapes.
When to plan your Dolomites adventure elopement? Late spring and early summer (May through June) are ideal for comfortable cool weather. Snow doesn’t melt until mid-to-late May so that’s when you’ll enjoy open hiking trails for those 360-degree views you’ve been dreaming of. Fun fact: this natural wonder is also the symbol of the UNESCO world natural heritage!
Here are the Legal Requirements To Get Married From The U.S. Embassy, or you can opt to have a symbolic ceremony for your Dolomites engagement!
Hiking the Dolomites for your Mountain elopement:
Peitlerkofel circular hiking trail is a beautiful hike in Puez-Odle Natural Park which leads you through five hours of moderately difficult terrain and climbing. This hike is incredibly popular so plan to leave first thing in the morning and know that you can complete the hike both counterclockwise or clockwise depending on the type of hike you’re looking for! If done counterclockwise, (heading west), you’ll complete the relatively steep ascent to Forcella Putia with fresh legs but if done clockwise, you’ll enjoy being alone for as long as possible. Oh and let’s not forget the early morning light you’ll enjoy unfolding onto the opposite side of the mountain!
Dolomiten-Panoramaweg: In English, this hike is called the Dolomite Panoramic trail and it’s for good reason. This 7.5-mile hike takes about 4 to 5 hours to complete as you enjoy breathtaking panoramic views throughout! The trail leads east from Valcroce station to Rossalm and onto the Gampenwiesen meadows (with rest stop). This is hands down one of our favorite worldwide mountain elopement locations! I mean LOOK at this place!
Camping in the Italian Dolomites
Catinaccio Rosengarten: Enjoy lush mountain-side forests and stunning mountain views at this picture perfect campsite. If your adventures consist of hiking and cycling, look no further than this campsite as it serves as the perfect base for your activities!
Seiser Alm: is a Dolomite plateau and the largest high-altitude Alpine meadow in Europe. Not only does this campsite offer incredible hiking options, it has a swimming pool and NATURAL BATHING LAKE (caps most definitely necessary)!
Al Plan: Situated on the sunny side of Plan de Corones/Kronplatz in San Vigilio di Marebbe, Val Badia and at the entrance of the Fanes-Senes-Braies Natural Park (a UNESCO World Heritage site!), enjoy being surrounded by panoramic views of the Dolomite peaks!
derryveagh mountains, ireland
Excuse us while we nerd out on the Derryveagh mountains as they were formed 430-400 million years ago, formed when two continents collided and the rocks were subjected to intense pressure and heat. These summits include Errigal Mountain, the highest mountain of the Derryveagh Mountains, and is home to the famous and abandoned Dunlewey Church! After visiting Ireland ourselves (check out our Ireland Travel Video), we especially had to include it on our worldwide mountain elopement locations list.
Check out our Ireland Elopement Guide for marriage laws, wedding permits, and whether you’ll choose to have your ceremony recognized in the states, or if you want to have a symbolic ceremony.
Crockfadda E Top and Crockballaghgeeha is a 5-mile looped trail located near Falcarragh, County Donegal, Ireland perfect for an elopement surrounded by beautiful wild flowers! Heads up: there are a lot of hidden undercover waterways making for a boggy trail – definitely pack your waterproof boots!
Mount Errigal is a 2.5-mile out-and-back trail located near Dún Lúiche, County Donegal, Ireland. This challenging (but totally manageable) hike is accessible year round, featuring a river throughout the hike. This route takes you through many different styles of Irish terrain and allows amazing views of both the vast valley’s and blue ocean.
Errigal Loop is a 4.2-mile looped trail located near Falcarragh, County Donegal. Enjoy bird watching as you hike this moderately-difficult picturesque trail on your way to your Mountain elopement location!
As huge fans of National Geographic, we love these other Derryveagh Mountain hikes too!
Places to stay near Derryveagh Mountains:
- Nancy’s Barn, Ballyliffin: This converted cottage on the Inishowen Peninsula, run by local lad Kieran Duey, was proudly titled World Chowder Champion at 2017’s Chowder Cook Off!
- Biddy’s O’Barnes, Barnesmore Gap: Tucked into the foothills of the Bluestack Mountains, this roadside pub has welcomed travellers for 200-ish years.
- McGrory’s, Culdaff: A gastropub, music venue and guesthouse, McGrory’s is an all-around good craic.
- Brennan’s Criterion Bar, Bundoran: Owned by sisters Patricia and Nan Brennan, this legendary drinking hole was opened by their grandfather in 1900.
- Leo’s Tavern, Meenaleck: Many of Ireland’s best talents perform here so expect pints served with toe-tapping balladry.
swiss alps, switzerland
We couldn’t have a Top 10 Worldwide Mountain Elopement Locations Guide without including the Swiss Alps! Think picturesque wooden bridges and huts, snow capped mountains, and deep blue lakes. Enjoy everything from easy trails to strenuous paths that lead to the top of mountains for the best Alpine views!
Make sure to review the legal process including the permit requirements and necessary paperwork for getting married in Switzerland before planning your trip! (Also we’re totally here to help you navigate this!)
Rigi Panorama Trail: oh man this 9-mile hike just outside of Lucerne offers some of the best views you’ll find while hiking Switzerland! The path following a railroad is well-maintained and made of mostly dirt and gravel, so it’s easy to hike throughout the year. The trail ends right before the Rigi Scheidegg cable car, making it a great opportunity to grab some food at the station before taking the cable car back down to the valley.
Engelberg Valley has so many trails, you could spend weeks hiking through it and still have corners left to explore! We love the Brunni Trail – a panoramic trail guiding you through the valley and the flowering pastures surrounded by towering peaks. This 4-mile hike takes just about 2.5 hours to complete.
The easiest way to enjoy this trail is to take the Brunni cable car to the Ristis station. We love that it’s an education trail, so you can learn about the surrounding plants and landscape as you hike! Continue on the trail until you reach the “Brunnihütte refuge”. This is the perfect spot for a break so you and your soon-to-be-spouse can enjoy views of Mount Titlis and Lake Härzli! Ooh – absolutely drop into the local restaurant offering Swiss specialties, including local sweets and cheeses.
And of course, we have to include The Matterhorn as its one of the highest summits in the Alps. If you and your honey really want to make an adventure out of your mountain elopement, it doesn’t get much more challenging than trekking up part of the 4,478 meters of the mountain that sits right on the border between Switzerland and Italy.
Technically a moderate hike, getting up the Matterhorn will take eight to 12 hours, depending on your fitness, how many stops we make to take epic photos of you two, and a few variations on the route along the way.
The best starting point for Matterhorn hikes is the city of Zermatt. If you want to make it a one-day hike, take off as soon as the sun rises, find the cable car line, and start hiking up following it. After three hours of a very steep and straight path with stunning views over blue mountains, you’ll reach Schwarzsee Paradise, a hotel/restaurant where you can stop for a snack before continuing on. You are technically not on the Matterhorn yet, but this is the quickest way to get you high enough to connect to the following trail. From here, it’s a surprisingly flat, one-hour hike along the Matterhorn side. After about an hour and a half of off-and-on again difficulty, the trail heads down to the Glacier trail where you can enjoy epic views of Matterhorn up close! You’ll end back at the cable car station in about 2 hours.
Pro-tip: it gets cold on the Matterhorn, even in the summer! Make sure to pack layers and FOOD so you and your honey stay comfortable throughout the hike.
south africa
Pack your backpacks for this worldwide mountain elopement location. With so many amazing hike options in South Africa, we focused on three multi-day hikes we would LOVE to help you plan for your mountain elopement! While you’re in the area, we think you should visit the “Cradle of Humankind” – around 40% of the world’s human ancestor fossils have been uncovered in this region!
Here’s where you’ll want to review marriage permits and legal requirements for your South African elopement!
The Amatola Trail: “The Toughest Hike in South Africa” covers 62 miles in roughly 6 days and it certainly lives up to the title. Now, there are definitely more difficult wilderness hikes, but as far as hutted hiking trails go, the Amatola Trail is as challenging as they come. Plan your elopement between the months of November through April for the best weather.
Recommended for very experienced adventurers, this hike is a point-to-point trail located near King Willam’s Town, Eastern Cape. The trail starts at Maden Dam and traverses the Hogsback Mountains all the way into the Tolkienesque village of Hogsback itself. You’ll enjoy the abundance of waterfalls and mountain pools, as well as the ancient, indigenous rainforest which makes up more than half the route!
The Otter Trail: is a hiking trail along the Garden Route coast of South Africa and is named after its region’s beloved Cape clawless otter (which we think is so freaking adorable). This 27-mile trail is widely regarded as one of the finest in the world (yep, really!) and stretches from Storms River Mouth in the east to Nature’s Valley in the west. Plan for 5 days of hiking and enjoy stopping at comfortable huts with incredible views along the way! The route is located entirely within the Tsitsikamma National Park and never strays far from the shoreline.
Heads up: all participants are required to complete and sign our tailor-made medical questionnaire together with our disclaimers and indemnity forms: Medical Questionnaire and Disclaimer Notice and Indemnity Form.
Blyderivierspoort Trail: Covering 3 days of hiking, this incredible 18.5-mile trail offers a plethora of landscapes including montane grassland, quartzite rocks, rivers and valleys that lead to patches of indigenous forest and two striking waterfalls! Plus – you can enjoy a dip in the natural pools along the way!
torres del paine, patagonia
Torres del Paine National Park (Parque Nacional Torres del Paine) is a national park encompassing mountains, glaciers, lakes, and rivers in southern Chilean Patagonia. It is certainly a more wet climate, and this area is known for strong winds. Note – the windiest months are November through January, which is also the peak tourist season due to January being the warmest month of the year. It’s recommended to visit from September to April. Fun fact: The park has been elected as the fifth most beautiful place in the world by National Geographic, the 8th Wonder of the World by TripAdvisor, and makes our Top 10 Worldwide Mountain Elopement Locations!
Review marriage permits and requirements here for your Chilean elopement in Patagonia!
How to get to Torres del Paine and where to stay: Fly into Punta Arenas and take a bus to Puerto Natales, the gateway to Torres del Paine. There’s a tiny airport in Puerto Natales that’s worth the extra cost to fly into if your flights line up and it works in your budget. Check out Hostel Natales, a cozy refuge a block from the water!
There are multiple ways to explore this area: You can opt for a day trip to see the towers, French Valley or Glacier Grey, or you can grab your backpacks and enjoy a multi-day trek. Multi-day treks include the popular “W” route, which takes about three to five days with 47 miles of hiking, and the full circuit or “O” route, which typically takes seven to nine days with 86 miles of hiking.
“W” Route Hike: Let’s talk about the famous “W” route! It’s dubbed the “W” route as it’s a W shaped hiking trail showcasing the best of Torres del Paine National Park including Grey glacier, the French Valley, and the Towers’ Base Viewpoint. One really cool feature of this multi-day trek is its refugios along the way providing shelter and campsites with tents you can rent. You don’t have to be an expert hiker for this adventure, but being able to hike/walk for up to 8 hours at a time is advised.
Note: hikers are 100% not allowed to stray from the paths in the national park, and a certified guide is required to access some parts of the park. We’ll help coordinate these logistics if you and your honey want a guide!
And when you’re MARRIED and you’ve hiked through the amazing Patagonia mountains, plan a romantic ending to your mountain elopement and stay at the EcoCamp Patagonia – the first geodesic dome hotel in Chile!
peaks of europe, spain (picos de europa)
Known as the “Spanish Dolomites” thanks to the beautiful treks, varying habitats from river-valleys to the alpine high mountains, and breathtaking views along the way, Peaks of Europe had to make our worldwide mountain elopement locations list. There are three distinct areas of the National Park: the Cantabrian portion, the Asturias portion, and the Leones portion.
Where to stay in the Peaks of Europe: If you are interested in the more northern sector of Cantabria, the best place to stay is in Potes. If you are planning to hike in the Asturias region, plan to stay in Cangas de Onís. and if León is more your speed, head over to Posada de Valdeón.
Review permits and legal requirements to be married in Spain here, or you can enjoy a symbolic ceremony as you hike your hearts out!
There are plenty of hikes to accomplish on your mountain elopement adventure in the Peaks of Europe, so we narrowed it down to a few for you:
The Cares Trail: One of the most popular hikes in the region and for good reason – this 13.3-mile out-and-back trail located near Cabrales, Asturias features a waterfall and what some say is the most beautiful trail in Spain. You can start the excursion from the towns of Caín or Poncebos, where you’ll pass through rocky terrain, small caves, and even meet some local mountain goats!
Puerto de San Glorio to Portilla de la Reina
Covering 6 miles of generally easy trails, this is one of the loveliest hikes in the Picos de Europa. This is the PERFECT mountain elopement hike, as it offers incredible views during the entirety of the hike! We’re talking scenic villages, mossy green cliffs, forests, and the Monumento del Oso (Monument of the Bear)! Helloooo Top 10 Worldwide Mountain Elopement Locations!
Ordiales Scenic Balcony Trail: Located in the same area as the Covadonga Lakes trail in Asturias, the Ordiales Scenic Balcony Trail offers seven miles of gorgeous views – including Lake Enol and the Pradera de Ordiales. You and your honey can frolic (we couldn’t resist) through green mountain pastures before climbing through the La Gamonal Pass and the incredible rocky pinnacles of Santa María and La Cebollera. The trail then descends once again towards the Ordiales Scenic Balcony, offering unbeatable views of the Cornión Massif.
Fun tip: enjoy taking a Cable Car in the beautiful town of Potes, to get you into the National Park quickly and easily! The station is open every day from 9:00am to 8:00pm during the summer months and the rest of the year between 10:00am and 6:00pm. Tickets cost 11€ one way and 17€ round trip, and the ride into the park takes only 4 minutes!
inca trail to machu picchu, peru
Helloooooo 500 year old archaeological treasures, gorgeous mountains, an epic adventure, and marrying your best friend before or after you hike the Inca Trail! As far worldwide mountain elopement locations go, Peru and the Inca Trail should definitely make your list. Known as one of the ‘New Seven Wonders of the World’ and officially recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, plan to fly either into Lima, Peru’s capital city, then taking a short connecting flight or longer bus ride to Cusco. You can also fly into the main airport in Cusco – Alejandro Velasco Astete International Airport (CUZ).
While you cannot get married in Machu Picchu National Park, there are plenty of mountain elopement options we’ll help create with you in South America (or you can officially get hitched in the US and say your vows as you reach the top!).
In order to hike Machu Picchu, you are required by the government of Peru to hire a licensed guide service or tour company with the required permits to take trekkers on the journey. Don’t worry – this is where we step in! We’ll help you find the right guide service, perfect for the adventure you’re looking for. The National Park limits hikers to 500 per day, so plan as far in advance as possible for your adventure elopement. The best times to plan your trip is late March through May, and September through early November. The dry season months of June through August are great weather-wise but are usually packed with tourists. Heads up: if you’re planning your mountain elopement adventure in October, through December, bring bug repellent as the mosquitoes love these wet season months.
The Classic Inca Trail takes 4 days to complete, covering 26 miles total to reach Machu Picchu. The classic trail is the only one that allows hikers to walk right into the complex through hiking! You’ll hike through the Andes can enjoy seeing close and upfront the change in topography from highland terrain to the humid jungle area nearing Machu Picchu.You can take a shorter route that takes only one day to hike to Machu Picchu, but we’re gonna recommend that since you’re already there…just plan to do the whole damn thing. You won’t regret it!
The Salkantay trek to Machu Picchu is a bit more challenging than the traditional Inca trail, providing that extra level of adventure. Overall, you’ll be at a higher altitude than the Inca trail – about 15,000 feet above sea level for your roughly 4 to 6 day hike covering 46 miles. You’ll definitely see fewer ruins along the route, however you’ll see much more wildlife in its natural setting than the Inca Trail. Also – this trail is not nearly as popular as the Classic Inca Trail, so you’ll enjoy more alone time with your sweetheart on this hike! Named one of the most beautiful hikes in the world by National Geographic magazine, you can either hike this trail solo or with a guide!
banff national park, canada
Just 1.5 hours west of Calgary, Alberta, you’ll find the pristine blue waters of Canada’s first national park – Banff National Park. We’re talking Rocky Mountain peaks, turquoise glacial lakes, a picture-perfect mountain town and village, abundant wildlife, and scenic drives. Fun fact: Banff is part of the Canadian Rocky Mountain Parks UNESCO World Heritage Site with over 994 miles of trails! Banff National Park offers adventurers some of the best hiking on the planet, whether you’re looking for an easy hike to incredible vistas or a more strenuous trek deep in the backcountry. Just the hiking alone gets Bannf National Park on our worldwide mountain elopement locations top 10!
Make sure to check out wedding ceremony permit requirements here for your Banff elopement!
Lake Agnes trail: This 4.6 mile out-and-back hike spotlights the infamous Lake Louise! This hike is on our list as it has year-round access with a number of activity options and dogs are allowed on the trail!
Plain of Six Glaciers trail: Oh please pick this hike. This 9-mile hike is known to be one of the most beautiful and difficult hikes in Banff! You’ll start by climbing an easy incline towards Lake Agnes, followed by a trail that pushes your limits with elevation gain and leading to a very high lookout. You can enjoy stopping at one of two teahouses, famous for offering a place to recharge with some of the best views in Banff at your fingertips!
Johnston Canyon to Upper Falls: this 3-mile hike is pretty popular (one of the busiest trails in the Canadian Rockies!) due to its waterfall and ease of completing. It’s also accessible year round! Make sure to get there early for both a gorgoeus hike and a parking spot.
Pro tip: always Check the Avalanche Bulletin for the latest Trail conditions. Dogs are allowed on some trails – provided you keep dogs on leash. Oh – and if a winter elopement is your thing, make sure to check out Banff’s Mountaineering and Backcountry Skiing options in the Canadian Rockies!
mount kenya, kenya
As the highest mountain in Kenya and the second-highest mountain in Africa, Mount Kenya is regarded as a holy mountain by those living near it and we just couldn’t resist including it in our top 10 worldwide mountain elopement locations list. Much more affordable and (some say) more beautiful than Mount Kilimanjaro, you can hike Mount Kenya without a guide if you have groups of 2 or more (we volunteer to join you!), or you’ll need to hire a hiking guide if you want to climb alone (or rather, together, but alone – I think you get the point).
Review permits and legal requirements to be married in Kenya here, or you can have a symbolic ceremony overlooking the Kenyan views as you hike Mount Kenya!
To get to Mount Kenya, fly into Nairobi – roughly 3 hours from Mount Kenya. You’ll travel by private car or public transportation to either Naro Moru or Nanyuki depending on your preference/hike route. There are two main routes to hike Mount Kenya: Sirimon Route (near Nanyuki) and Naro Moru (near Naro Moru). If you’re staying in Naro Moru, we recommend checking out the Anka Resort and if you’re staying in Nanyuki, we recommend Ngomongo for your trip!
Sirimon Route: covering 31 miles and 9,120 ft, most people take four days to complete this out and back trek. If the weather is clear, you’ll summit and enjoy the views of Mount Kilimanjaro from the top!
Naro Moru Route: for a more challenging 30 mile out and back hike, you can opt to choose the more popular Mount Kenya route: the Naro Moru route. You are quite likely to see bushbuck, Colobus monkey and Sykes Monkey and also evidence of Buffalo and Elephant on this hike!
We think this is a really cool hiking guide to Mount Kenya – providing more hiking options and visuals to what you’re getting yourself into!
Pro tip: this hike is a high-altitude hike, so make sure you’re conditioned and fully prepared for potential high-altitude sickness. We recommend hiking as much of this mountain as you can – so your body can acclimate along the way, rather than driving to 10,000 feet to start your hike.
glacier national park, montana
We gotta end with our favorite worldwide mountain elopement location ever. Home to the Big Sky State, Montana, Glacier National Park is so breathtaking, it’s been deemed ‘Crown of the Continent’! Whether you want a short hike and an iconic background, an overnight camping adventure, or to just drive Going-To-The-Sun-Road (honestly do all of the above), Glacier has it all. Even better news – it’s in our backyard so we know all the ins and outs of the park! It’d be our honor to show you our favorite hidden gems while you and your honey tie the knot.
The best time to elope in Glacier National Park is July and August if you’re looking for a warm-weather elopement. That being said, the mountains are gorgeous throughout the year – just make sure to check the road conditions. We’ve loved Glacier in all seasons – check out this elopement in Spring, and here’s a winter adventure session! Lake McDonald, you have our hearts. Plan to fly into Glacier Park International Airport (FCA), and then it’s a quick 35-minute drive to the entrance of Glacier National Park. Make sure to read all about Glacier National Park’s Ticketed Entry System before you start planning!
Did you know you can see the Northern Lights from Glacier National Park? From September to April, when it is winter/spring in the northern hemisphere, you have a chance to see them! There are so many great hiking and camping spots in Glacier. Start here for epic hikes, and reserve a camp spot here. Heads up: you’ll want to make sure you’re prepared for a Grizzly Bear should you see one. We’re talking bear spray, a loud noisemaker (we’re fond of cowbells), and reading up on what to do if you encounter a Grizzly.
all elopement packages include photography & videography and our travel is covered
Whether you’re looking for a two-day elopement experience (think: two 8 hour days of documentation, or mix it up and do a 12 hour day and a 4 hour day), a full day elopement experience (up to 12 hours of coverage), an 8 hour elopement experience, or a partial day elopement experience (up to 4 hours of coverage), we can’t wait to plan your dream elopement experience. Reach out today and let’s dream about your mountain elopement together! These worldwide mountain elopement locations won’t explore themselves!
Mountains are my jam! Thanks so much for putting together a truly comprehensive list of where to get married in the mountains!
Beautiful photos and these places make me want to pack my bags right now!
The mountains really are the best place to elope! I can never get enough of the views, and you have a great list here.
Lots of cool locations with neat photo inspiration you’ve gathered!
So fitting for the Dolomites to be the first on the list! Although Id have to plan a second elopement for Banff because it all looks too incredible!
Oh my GOODNESS I love how comprehensive and international this list is… I seriously want to go absolutely everywhere on it. Thank you for the new romantic bucket list adventure locations!
[…] out more elopement opportunities in the Italian Dolomites – including the best camping spots you won’t want to […]