PHOTO: Greece's Mount Olympus was believed to house the Gods. (Courtesy of Thinkstock)

They are simply gigantic rock formations, but the following mountains prove that some are more sacred than they appear to be. Marked by religion and filled with fascinating stories, standing in their presence alone automatically links visitors to the past.  Whether retracing Jesus’ legendary tracks or discovering the heavenly abode of Zeus, the next five mountains are truly divine places to climb.

Jerusalem: Mount of Olives

The Mount of Olives may be a revered religious site, but centuries ago King David looked to its hills for refuge when his son Absalom gained control of Jerusalem.  Fast forward to the New Testament and you’ll find that Jesus was also a frequent visitor to the mountain when he popularly taught and regularly visited Mary, Martha and Lazarus who are believed to have lived on its eastern side. 

It is now sprinkled with monasteries like the Church of All Nations as well as some 150,000 Jewish graves because it is believed that this is where the dead will rise first when Jesus makes his next earthly journey.

Egypt: Mount Sinai

Another flip through the pages of the Bible leaves many seeking englightenment at the threshold of Mount Sinai, the location where Moses spoke to God and acquired the Ten Commandments. 

Although no clues of this profound moment can be traced along the mountain’s jagged slopes, various places of worship are dotted along the spiritual path, starting with the St. Catherine’s Monastery which is situated at the foot of the mountain.  The ancient Orthodox sanctuary sits in the spot where Moses was greeted by the Burning Bush and serves as a treasure filled with many sacred gems like the prehistoric printed works of the Sinai Library and various religious images.

China: Wudang Mountains

Tourists come from near and far come to witness the sanctity pouring out of the Wudang Mountains’ numerous Taoist buildings clenching onto its mountainsides.  That’s because for centuries they have defied the laws of gravity; perhaps it is because of their spiritual connection to the Chinese god Xuan Wu. 

First commissioned during the Tang Dynasty, the complex includes the Five Dragon Ancestral Temple, the Grand Purple Cloud Palace in addition to an array of other important structures.  Not only have the monasteries of the Wudang Mountains become successful architectural endeavors of their time, the mountain range is also the place where Wudang martial arts originated.

Greece: Mount Olympus

You are less likely to see a host of powerful Greek gods looking down on their lowly subjects from this rocky giant, yet Mount Olympus’ history in mythology makes it one of the richest hikes in the world. 

With its highest peak an astounding 9,570 feet, Greece’s tallest mountain was believed to be the heavenly home of Zeus and his supernatural family.   Even Homer couldn’t refrain from mentioning its profound majesty in the Iliad, giving locals an excuse to visit the base of the sacred mountain every summer in the village of Dion, which hosts the annual Olympus Festival.

Colorado: Hesperus Mountain

When it comes to Colorado’s mountains, the Hesperus Mountain ranks pretty high in Navajo history.  For one, it is regarded as the People’s Sacred Mountain of the North and boasts a unique dark color due to the jet material that covers its landscape.

Even more mysterious is how this Navajo treasure came to be.  Some say it is the result of the holy people using a rainbow to keep it grounded and its dark hue explains why the mountain is considered to be covered in darkness.