From multihued mounts to lush green ridges, these colorful mountains captivate travelers with their vibrant, natural beauty
10 of the World’s Most Colorful Mountains
Updated on Jun. 10, 2025
Rainbow Mountain
Location: Peru
Also known as Vinicunca or Montaña de Siete Colores (the Mountain of Seven Colors), this colorful mountain near Cusco became well-known throughout the world in recent years. During Peru’s peak tourism season, the Rainbow Mountain easily sees a daily footfall of 1,500 visitors. The mountain’s rainbow look is revealed as the surrounding snow begins to melt, unveiling its true colors.
Thanks to a mix of environmental conditions and mineral-rich sediment layers built up over time, Peru’s Rainbow Mountain dazzles with bright streaks of turquoise, gold, red and fuchsia. Most visitors reach it through full-day excursions with local tour operators (and a little mental pep-talk for that dizzying altitude). For a less-crowded but equally colorful experience, consider Palcoyo, part of the Cordillera de Colores, which is also in the Cusco region.
Zhangye National Geopark
Location:Â China
In China’s northwestern province of Gansu, within the foothills of the Qilian Mountains, this UNESCO national park is considered one of the country’s most colorful natural wonders. At first glance, it looks like a skilled artist painted a rainbow over the earth. But there’s a science to it.
The striped hues within the 200-mile colorful rainbow mountain are comprised of deposits of cretaceous sandstones and siltstones that developed before the Himalayan Mountains were formed. Millions of years ago, when the Indian and Eurasian tectonic plates collided, mountains rose, exposing the sedimentary rock underneath, and the bright hues remain to this day.
Landmannalaugar Mountain
Location:Â Iceland
Iceland is known for its diverse topography, and this mountain in the Fjallabak Nature Reserve, within the country’s Southern Highlands, fits in quite brightly. Its hues come from rhyolite, a type of rock producing a range of shades, from red, pink and green to blue and even golden yellow.
This breathtaking, colorful mountain makes for a picture-perfect backdrop. But aesthetics aside, Landmannalaugar is touted as a great hiking destination. Trekkers can venture along its three major trails: Mount Brennisteinsalda, Mount Bláhnjúkur and Ljótipollur (the latter being a crater lake). Speaking of water, after a long stretch, weary bodies can relax within the warm streams heated by geothermal energy, which could be why Landmannalaugar is also known by the moniker “Pools of the People.”
The Pitons
Location:Â St. Lucia
Resting near the town of Soufrière on St. Lucia’s southwestern coast, this iconic pair of volcanic peaks is cloaked in vibrant greenery and lush rainforest that shelters a variety of rare plant species. Together, these two peaks make this Caribbean destination a recognized UNESCO World Heritage Site. However, each of these two spires has its own name and, well, “personality.”
Gros Piton is the taller of the two, while Petit Piton is shorter but steeper. These two peaks offer a challenge to eager hikers (a guide is a must) but also a reward: truly mesmerizing views. From the top of Gros Piton, you can see Petit Piton and Soufrière; Petit Piton will have you overlooking Piton Bay.
Vermilion Cliffs National Monument
Location: Arizona
Protected since the year 2000, this 280,000-acre national monument in northern Arizona (near the Utah state line) makes you feel like you’ve stepped onto another planet. You’ll find towering cliffs, slot canyons and bands of colored sedimentary formations. But do your homework first—to explore certain areas, you’ll need to get specific permits in advance.
These colorful mountains are home to the Coyote Buttes, split into two equally stunning areas. In the north, you’ll find the Wave’s surreal sandstone swirls, along with Melody Arch and the Grotto. The south side is impressive too, with Paria Canyon’s visually striking rock formations and ancient petroglyphs.
Serranias del Hornocal
Location: Argentina
The colorful ridges of Serranias del Hornocal—translated as the Hill of 14 Colors—are jagged-looking yet multicolored geological formations in the northwestern Argentinian province of Jujuy, which has captured a lot of attention in recent years. According to Jujuy’s tourism board, you can reach this vibrant mountain by driving with care from the town of Humahuaca. Your ride will go along the winding and gravel-covered Provincial Route 73, traveling roughly 15 miles to reach the Hill of 14 Colors.
At this location, visitors can view the panoramic scenery and park their vehicles at an observation point that’s 4,350 meters high (or just over 14,000 feet).
Remarkable Rocks, Flinders Chase National Park
Location:Â Australia
How could we not include the amazing rock formation found on Australia’s Kangaroo Island in our list of the most colorful mountains? These aptly named granite boulders are said to have been shaped by 500 million years of environmental impact from the natural elements. The end result is quite an abstract vision. Some of these rocks are covered with golden orange lichen, which is a fungus and an alga that reflects the sunlight. Other spotted colors include black mica, bluish quartz and pinkish feldspar. The site is complete with interpretive signs that tell the story behind these rocks, plus a viewing platform for those with accessibility needs.
Simien Mountains National Park
Location:Â Ethiopia
A World UNESCO Heritage site, this national park in northern Ethiopia is a biosphere unto itself with an abundance of flora and fauna. Canyon gorges, soft turfs, deep valleys and vegetation—like the flowering tree known as Erica arborea—are all nestled here. You’ll find wildlife within the park as well, like the walia ibex, an endangered species of goat that’s native to this region of Ethiopia. Other rare animals include the Ethiopian wolf (also known as a Simien fox), the Gelada baboon and several birds of prey.
Seven Colored Earths
Location:Â Mauritius
While they’re technically sand dunes, this colorful granular grouping made it to our list of colorful mountains because of its blended hues. Located near the village of Chamarel, this geological wonder formed when volcanic rock slowly turned to clay, fusing with various natural elements and creating rich bands of color that swirl together like nature’s personal canvas. Surrounded by a lush green forest, these dunes sit shoulder to shoulder in shades of red, brown, violet, green, blue, purple and yellow.
Montagne Sainte-Victoire
Location: France
What makes this limestone mountain ridge in France’s Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur region so magnifique are the bright greens at its base and the abutting purple lavender fields. It served as a muse for the French artist Paul Cézanne. This post-Impressionist painter was inspired by this distinct landscape so much that Montagne Sainte-Victoire became the constant subject of his paintings. Cézanne never seemed to tire of painting it (and honestly, we wouldn’t either). Living just below the mountain, he created an entire series of Montagne Sainte-Victoire landscape paintings in the late 1800s and early 1900s.
These days, you can explore Montagne Sainte-Victoire while mountain biking and rock climbing; it’s also the location for religious heritage sites, such as the Saint-Ser Hermitage, a tiny chapel built inside a cave.
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Sources:
- Rainbow Mountain Peru
- Umhverfisstofnun (Environment Agency of Iceland): “Landmannalaugar”
- UNESCO World Heritage Convention: “Pitons Management Area”
- U.S. Department of the Interior: “Vermilion Cliffs National Monument”
- Zhangye UNESCO Global Geopark
- Aix-en-Provence Tourist Office: “Sainte-Victoire Mountain”
- The Metropolitan Museum of Art: “Mont Sainte-Victoire”
- National Parks and Wildlife Service – South Australia: “Flinders Chase National Park and Ravine Des Casoars Wilderness Protection Area”
- UNESCO World Heritage Convention: “Simien National Park”
- Chamarel 7 Coloured Earth Geopark
