We all need an escape from our busy lives once in a while, and a remote mountainside location with zero phone reception and internet may be a great stress reliever.
Taking a hike for the fresh air as the trail stretches out in front of you for miles sounds like an excellent detox for the body and mind. Here are some remote mountain locations perfect for an escape.
1. StarsBox, Piedmont, Italy
- Image Credit: Giacomo.
At 7,835 feet above sea level, this holiday hut is in the center of the Maritime Alps Natural Park in Piedmont, Italy. To get to the hut, you will need to do a three-hour hike from Terme di Valdieri.
The trek is worth it, though, as the hut is nestled in the mountains and offers a view of Lago delle Portette’s shores. The walls and roof can be opened up to reveal the starry night sky, which is simply stunning.
2. Glacier Lookout, Alaska, USA
- Image Credit: Alaska Guide Company.
It’s hard to imagine that this spot is just a few minutes away from the city of Valdez since it seems completely isolated and quiet.
This little lookout cabin is perched on the edge of a mountain about 3,640 feet high. It’s accessible via a challenging hike or a helicopter ride. The views of the mountain peaks and icy sheets are well worth the trek, and the warmth of the cozy lookout is relaxing and inviting.
3. Red Mountain Alpine Lodge, Red Mountain Pass, Colorado, USA
- Image Credit: Red Mountain Alpine Lodge.
Located in the Red Mountain Pass with cabins available all year round, Red Mountain Alpine Lodge offers a comforting stay in a snowy wonderland.
From mountain guides and skiing to snowshoeing and biking, there’s a lot to do in this remote location. If you prefer staying indoors, you could curl up with a book by the fire or experience a wood-burning sauna.
4. Refuge des Grands Mulets, Chamonix, France
- Image Credit: Refuge de la Fédération Française des Clubs Alpins et de Montagne.
This location takes the word “remote” to drastic levels. The hut stands tall on a rocky plinth in the center of Mont Blanc.
At an altitude of about 10,000 feet, this steel-coated hut has been a solid meeting point for those hiking the challenging French Alps for years. It offers cozy beds, a decent library, and stunning views.
5. Skylodge Adventure Suites, Urubamba, Peru
- Image Credit: Natura Vive.
This is the perfect spot for adrenaline junkies who enjoy the idea of staying in a capsule pod on the side of a cliff. Suspended 1,312 feet in the air by the side of a mountain in Peru, Skylodge Adventure Suites offers pods with transparent windows overlooking Peru’s Sacred Valley.
Visitors need to hike and climb the mountain to get to the pods, and there’s even a zipline you can take if you’re feeling adventurous.
6. Alpine Chalet, Zgornje Jezersko, Slovenia
- Image Credit: Mitia.
If you prefer something more romantic, try the Alpine Chalet in Zgornje Jezersko. The cabin has a rustic feel and is equipped with modern amenities. The surrounding alpine valley features stunning mountain peaks reaching over 8,202 feet.
The area has hiking trails, mountain biking trails, and even skiing options if you want to take part in some outdoor activities.
7. Badger Creek Ranch, Canon City, Colorado, USA
- Image Credit: Badger Creek Ranch, LLC.
Living on a ranch in the great outdoors with horses as your company doesn’t sound too bad, and Badger Creek Ranch offers the best location for your getaway.
It borders the San Isabel and Pike National Forests and offers abundant fresh air and greenery to clear your mind. The ranch owners will also care for you and take you horseback riding across the ranch, where you’ll enjoy breathtaking mountain views.
8. Bivacco Luca Vuerich, Udine, Italy
- Image Credit: Architizer, Inc.
This tiny refuge shelter is located at the peak of Foronon del Buinc within the Friuli Venezia Giulia in northeastern Italy. This shelter was built in honor of a hiker who lost his life in an avalanche while climbing nearby.
The hut provides a place for any climber or hiker in need. The view from the mountaintop is stunning, and you can spot wild mountain goats in the area as well.
9. Refuge du Gouter, Haute-Savoie, France
- Image Credit: Coronium – CC BY-SA 3.0/Wiki Commons.
Before you reach the peak of Mont Blanc, Refuge du Gouter should be your final stop for shelter and warm food before continuing the challenging hike.
The hut is perched on an outcrop with a 4,921-foot drop. It offers a stunning 360-degree view of the snowy mountains in all their glory. However, its remoteness also makes it challenging to reach.
10. Duende Hotel, Khiza, Georgia
- Image Credit: Duende Treehouse & Cocktails.
If you’re tired of snowy mountains, maybe a sub-tropical forest on the slopes of Georgia’s Caucasus Mountains sounds like a better deal.
The Duende Hotel offers a glamping experience with treehouse cottages above the forest floor. The surrounding area is ripe for exploring, with rivers and waterfalls within hiking distance.
11. Thelma Hut, San Juan County, Colorado, USA
- Image Credit: Campfire Ranch.
Another off-the-grid location within the San Juan Mountains, Thelma Hut offers zero distractions from the beautiful mountains and nature around you.
Your phone will be out of range, and there’s no internet or television available in this remote area. All you can do is ski, hike, or enjoy the warm indoors. Furthermore, a wood-burning stove and a caretaker are available to meet all your needs.
12. Eagle Brae Log Cabins, Scottish Highlands, UK
- Image Credit: Eagle Brae Limited.
The Eagle Brae Log Cabins are tucked in between the Glens of Affric and Strathfarrar. They offer a luxurious off-the-grid experience for those who want comfort and isolation at the same time.
The handcrafted log cabins blend into the snowy backdrop of mountains and winter trees, offering a picturesque view straight out of a movie.
13. The Cabin, Harads, Sweden
- Image Credit: Treehotels.
The Cabin in remote Swedish Lapland offers a suspended treehouse nestled among snow-capped trees. The treehouse overlooks the Lule River Valley, filled with rivers, mountains, and forests for you to explore.
The accommodation is entirely secluded and cut off from the modern world, offering a perfect escape to nature. The treehouse has an outdoor rooftop terrace where you can sip your coffee while you enjoy the view.
14. Johannishutte, Tyrol, Austria
- Image Credit: bergfex GmbH.
Seasoned hikers and skiers who venture to Austria know all about Johannishutte. This mountain hut offers shelter and warmth during the cold months, as well as stunning alpine views.
However, it’s only open from early March to early May and mid-June to early October, so be sure to plan your trip or make a reservation.