25 Mountain Quotes to Ignite Your Sense of Adventure

Powerful enough to inspire on the flattest of days.

Great Smoky Mountains Railroad
Photo: Chris Murray/Getty Images

The majesty of the mountains is a year-round magic–spring with its budding flowers, summer with lush green trails, fall with foliage ablaze, and winter with snow-capped peaks. That steady yet cyclical splendor follows you home, even if your closest mountain town is states away. Just a memory of time spent mountainside can be powerful enough to inspire the flattest of days. It can push you to find beauty in the ordinary or challenge you to climb higher through any difficult task life throws your way. It's no wonder there are so many famous, inspiring mountain quotes by notable authors and even past presidents. From short sayings and climbing quotes to sensory-evoking messages from John Muir and joyful sayings from Dr. Seuss, we've compiled some of our favorite quotes about mountains that are sure to move you.

01 of 25

John Muir

Mountain Quotes - The Mountains Are Calling
Southern Living

'The mountains are calling, and I must go." – John Muir

02 of 25

Dr. Seuss

Dr. Seuss Mountain Quote
Southern Living

Today is your day! Your mountain is waiting, So… get on your way! – Dr. Seuss

03 of 25

Jane Austen

Jane Austen Mountain Quote
Southern Living

"What are men to rocks and mountains?" – Jane Austen

04 of 25

Dag Hammerskjold

Mountain Quote
Southern Living

"Never measure the height of a mountain until you reach the top. Then you will see how low it was." – Dag Hammerskjold

05 of 25

Greg Child

Greg Child Mountain Quote
Southern Living

"Somewhere between the bottom of the climb and the summit is the answer to the mystery why we climb." – Greg Child

06 of 25

William Shakespeare

Shakespeare Mountain Quote
Southern Living

"Our peace shall stand as firm as rocky mountains." – William Shakespeare

07 of 25

Muhammad Ali

Mountain Quote
Southern Living

"It isn't the mountains ahead to climb that wears you out; it's the pebble in your shoe." – Muhammad Ali

08 of 25

Andrew Garfield

Andrew Garfield Mountain Quote
Southern Living

"I've realized that at the top of the mountain, there's another mountain." – Andrew Garfield

09 of 25

Proverb

Chinese Proverb About Mountains
Southern Living

"No matter how tall the mountain is, it cannot block the sun." – Chinese Proverb

10 of 25

John Muir

John Muir Mountain Quote
Southern Living

"In every walk with nature, one receives far more than he seeks." –John Muir

11 of 25

Sir Martin Convay

Mountain Quote
Southern Living

"Each fresh peak ascended teaches something." – Sir Martin Convay

12 of 25

John Muir

Mountain Quote
Southern Living

"We are now in the mountains and they are in us, kindling enthusiasm, making eery nerve quiver, filing every pore and cell of us." – John Muir

13 of 25

T.S. Eliot

T.S. Eliot Mountain Quote
Southern Living

"Only those who will risk going too far can possibly find out how far they can go." – T. S. Eliot

14 of 25

Richard Nixon

Mountain Quote
Southern Living

"Only if you have been in the deepest valley can you ever know how magnificent it is to be on the highest mountain." – Richard Nixon

15 of 25

Ed Viesturs

Mountain Quote
Southern Living

"Getting to the top is optional. Getting down is mandatory." – Ed Viesturs

16 of 25

George W. Bush

George W. Bush Mountain Quote
Southern Living

"We've climbed the mighty mountain. I see the valley below, and it's a valley of peace." – George W. Bush

17 of 25

Barry Finlay

Mountain Quote
Southern Living

"Every mountain top is within reach if you just keep climbing." – Barry Finlay

18 of 25

Edmund Hillary

Mountain Quote
Southern Living

"Life's a bit like mountaineering – never look down." – Edmund Hillary

19 of 25

John Muir

Mountain Quote
Southern Living

"Climb the mountains and get their good tidings. Nature's peace will flow into you as sunshine flows into trees." – John Muir

20 of 25

Barry Finlay

Mountain Quotes
Southern Living

"Every mountain top is within reach if you just keep climbing." – Barry Finlay

21 of 25

Harley King

Mountain Quotes
Southern Living

"May your dreams be larger than mountains and may you have the courage to scale their summits." – Harley King

22 of 25

Tyler Knott

Mountain Quotes
Southern Living

"Mountains know secrets we need to learn. That it might take time, it might be hard, but if you just hold on long enough, you will find strength to rise up" – Tyler Knott

23 of 25

John Muir

Mountain Quotes
Southern Living

"Climb the mountains and get their good tidings." – John Muir

24 of 25

Mark Obmascik

Mountain Quote
Southern Living

"I like like the mountains, because they make me feel small. They help me sort out what's important in life." – Mark Obmascik

25 of 25

Vanessa Gendoma

Mountain Quotes
Southern Living

"The best view comes after the hardest climb." – Vanessa Gendoma

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