Secrets of the World's Greatest Mountains

Everest, the highest mountain on Earth, was not conquered until 1953, an expedition that paved the way for the countless climbers that have subsequently reached its summit. This programme looks at the incredible forces that led to Everest's creation, and meets some of the humans and animals who live in its shadow.

Created 350 million years ago by the implosion of a giant volcano, Ben Nevis is a mountain of two faces. The gentle, winding paths of the south contrast with the deadly cliff faces of the north, which draw in adventurers from around the world. Animals who live on Ben Nevis include the majestic golden eagle and three species of deer.

Mont Blanc wasn't scaled until the late 18th century. Now is the heart of European mountain sports with more than 5m visitors a year. The 7.5 mile tunnel through its heart was a miracle of 60s engineering, but also suffered a catastrophic accident that cost 38 lives.

Majestic Kilimanjaro is the world's largest land-based volcano. Encompassing landscapes from savannah and rainforest to five-storey glaciers, the mountain has drawn countless climbers, including British Paralympian Aaron Phipps.