Leave Locarno’s subtropical lakeside behind for a trio of transport experiences, culminating at the top of Cimetta. A precipitous funicular whisks you up from Locarno centre to Oreslina; then it’s all aboard the slick cable car to the first peak of Cardada. Lastly, clamber onto a chairlift for the final climb to Cimetta, 5,482 feet above sea level.

At 6,288 feet, Mount Washington is New Hampshire's highest peak, dominating a verdant valley. It’s also home to the world’s first mountain-climbing cog railway, in operation since 1869. Brightly coloured steam-powered locomotives are supplemented by biodiesel trains. Both options make for a memorable, three-hour round trip.

Not quite soaring over Dubrovnik – at a mere 1,351 feet – Mount Srđ still offers fantastic views. Board the cable car and whizz up in just a few minutes. Then take in the red roofs of the old town below, the forested island of Lokrum and the azure Adriatic stretching to the horizon. On a clear day, you can see almost 40 miles into the distance (telescopes are provided).

Tackle a chunk of Western Europe’s highest peak (Mont Blanc towers over the Alps at 15,780 feet) on France’s highest rack-and-pinion railway. In the summer months, the Tramway du Mont Blanc climbs all the way from St-Gervais-les-Bains to Nid d’Aigle, at 7,792 feet. The one-hour ascent allows plenty of time to savour the views of lush pasture, snow-capped peaks and the Bionnassay glacier. From here on, you’ll need proper kit and determination to make the final climb to the top.

In summertime, lifts sweep locals and tourists from the many resorts below, up to the summits. A cool beer, apéro or mountaintop gourmet lunch in the crystal-clear air – pourquoi pas?

The Peak Tram is Asia’s oldest cable funicular, opening in 1888. It takes just eight minutes to climb the Peak’s 1,266 feet. With almost vertical tracks, the extraordinarily steep ascent seems more of a modern marvel than the cluster of surrounding skyscrapers. An alternative route up is via the number 15 bus which takes a more winding route to Peak Tower (pictured). There you’ll find a 360-degree viewing platform, shops and restaurants.

No visit to Snowdonia in Wales is complete without seeing the awe-inspiring Snowdon. At 3,560 feet it’s the highest summit in England and Wales. Thanks to the Snowdon Mountain Railway, this lofty peak is accessible to pretty much everyone. Book ahead to guarantee those staggering views across sheer, rugged ridges and beyond to the Isle of Man and Ireland.

You could lace up your boots, join a guided day hike and consider abseiling part of the return journey, but the Table Mountain Aerial Cableway is a justifiably popular choice for many. Book in advance and opt for a quieter afternoon slot if the weather is behaving.

There are many trails and viewpoints to seek out along the way. A popular destination is the Columbia Icefield, the largest ice field in the Rockies. If you have a head for heights, make for the Glacier Skywalk where you can gaze down on the Sunwapta Valley from a glass-floored observation platform that juts out over a 918-foot drop.

Make your ascent via two cable cars, the first connecting with Morro da Urca. Knock back the first dose of coastline views here, then it’s onwards in the second cable car to Pão de Açúcar. From up here, there’s no doubt about it, Rio is a Cidade Maravilhosa (Marvellous City), as the locals claim.

Plan a dream road trip on the breathtaking Skyline Drive, a serpentine route that starts just 75 miles west of Washington D.C. and follows the crest of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Within the Shenandoah National Park, a marvel whatever the season, the famous road features hairpins, bumps and blind turns. Only confident drivers need apply – but note that the speed limit is kept to 35mph to help avoid collisions with any passing white-tailed deer, bobcats or black bears.

The rather dinky cable car at Fuente Dé zooms passengers up the sheer cliffside of the southeastern Picos, to a jaw-dropping height of 5,980 feet. Acclimatise after that speedy four-minute journey with gulps of fresh mountain air or a stiff cortado at the El Cable café. The approach to the nearby, orange-tinged limestone mass of the Naranjo de Bulnes represents a challenge for many experienced climbers. The subterranean Funicular de Bulnes cuts down the journey time, climbing through the mountain to the otherwise inaccessible hamlet of Bulnes.