Food Of The Week: Getting the mountain munchies

Fancy haute cuisine on a mountain top? Andy Lynes searches for peak perfection

Mountains are not just for skiing down in winter. There is a host of warm weather activities such as hiking, hang-gliding and mountain biking that make them the perfect summer destination. Whatever you decide to do, you can be sure of a decent meal and comfortable bed at the end of the day.

You can try your hand at fly fishing, go canoeing on Dove Lake and afterwards taste local wine and cheese with a stay at Cradle Mountain Lodge, North West Tasmanian Wilderness, Tasmania (00 61 2 8296 8010; cradlemountain lodge.com.au).

Chef Gary Goldie combines local Scottish seafood with vegetables from the gardens of Ardanaiseig Hotel, Kilchrenan by Taynuilt, Argyll, Scotland (01866 833 333; ardanaiseig. com). With these raw ingredients he produces dishes such as pan-roasted halibut and seared scallops with spinach and chanterelle mushrooms.

Admire the ancient San Bushman art painted on the rocky shelters around Bushman's Kloof Wilderness Reserve and Retreat, Cederberg Mountains, Western Cape, South Africa (00 27 21 685 2598; bushmans kloof.co.za). Then enjoy the culinary art created from organically grown farm produce at the retreat's highly regarded restaurant.

Work up an appetite for dinner on the candlelit terrace of the Hotel Finca El Cerrillo, Canillas de Albaida, Andalucia, Spain (00 34 952 03 04 44; hotelfinca. com), by ascending the 2,069m peak of La Maroma.

The Hotel & Spa Rosa Alpina, Dolomites, Strada Micura de Ru, San Cassiano in Badia, Italy (00 39 0471 849500; rosalpina.it) counts Prince Albert of Monaco among its many celebrity fans who come for the Michelin-starred food and to be cosseted at its Daniela Steiner Spa.

As the highest point in the state, Mount Magazine State Park, 16878 Highway 309 South Paris, Arkansas, US (001 877 665 6343; mountmagazinestatepark. com) is the perfect jumping-off point for brave hang gliders. If you would rather keep your feet on the ground, the views of the valley from the lodge's restaurant are nearly as good.

It's worth the three-and -a-half-hour drive round hairpin bends to reach the Cameron Highlands Resort, Tanah Rata, Cameron Highlands, Pahang Darul Makmur, Malaysia (00 60 5 491 1100; cameronhighlands resort.com). Afternoon tea includes brews from leaves picked in the surrounding plantations.