Climbing a mountain is, without a doubt, an experience that will be hard to forget. Standing at the top of the mountain and feel like the whole world is under your feet – yeah, that’s not something you quickly push out of your mind. However, as impressive as it is, we cannot forget the danger that comes with it.
You may want to climb Kilimanjaro or dream about getting to the top of Mount Everest. But can you make your dream come true? Well, it depends. While some mountains can be pretty easy to climb, others not so much, and should be climbed only by those with experience. But which mountains are those? Below, you will find a list of the ten most difficult mountains to climb.
What are the world’s most difficult mountains to climb?
- Mount Thor, Canada
- K2, China/Pakistan
- Annapurna I, Nepal
- Nanga Parbat, Pakistan
- Gasherbrum 1, Pakistan/China
- Mount Everest, Nepal/China
- Carstensz Pyramid, Indonesia
- Mount Denali, Alaska, USA
- Nanda Devi (South Face), India/Nepal
- Kanchenjunga (South Face), Nepal/India/China
Mount Thor, Canada
Elevation: 3,922 meters
Trail type: Rocky slopes and vertical drop. Rock climbing gear needed.
Mount Thor is located on Victoria Island in Canada. It’s 3,922 meters high and was first climbed in 1960. Besides that, the mountain has the largest vertical drop in the world. West Face, the vertical drop, stands at 1250 meters high and has a overhang of 15 meters. It requires a lot of experience and mountaineering skills to be climbed, so if you plan to do it, try to do thorough research before starting and get professional help. Don’t forget that it is one of the world’s most remote and difficult mountains to climb.
K2, China/Pakistan
Elevation: 8,611 meters
Trail type: Steep and snow-covered trails, heavy snowfall, extreme weather
K2 is acknowledge as one of the hardest mountain to climb in the world due to its fatality rate of 25%. Located at the border between China and Pakistan, it is 8,611 meters high and has an average climbing period of 40 days. Another hazard is the mountains’ extreme weather. Heavy snowfalls, blizzards, and powerful winds can lead to fatal danger, which climbers need to take note of. However, many people are still trying to climb it each year.
Annapurna I, Nepal
Elevation: 8,091 meters
Trail type: Highly-complex terrain with sharp ridges, ice and rock structures, and snow-covered slopes. Reports of unpredictable climate.
Steep trails, sharp ridges, crevasses, and occasional avalanche makes Annapurna one of the hardest mountains to climb in the world. Located in Nepal, it has a height of 8,091 meters above sea level. It’s the deadliest peak in the world with a fatality rate of 32%.
Annapurna is extremely deadly and challenging, but hiking to its basecamp is possible for fit travelers. Sitting at an altitude of 4,000 meters above sea level, the best camp offers a breathtaking view of glacial structures and a celebration of culture. People around the world hike to the Annapurna Base Camp, building friendships that transverse borders.
Nanga Parbat, Pakistan
Elevation: 8,126 meters
Trail type: Long alpine trails, moderate slopes, rapeling skill needed
Nanga Parbat is one of the tallest and hardest mountains to climb in the world. Located in Pakistan, it has a height of 8,126 meters above sea level and can be considered a real challenge for mountaineers everywhere. It’s also a very dangerous mountain to climb. Over 70 people died while trying to climb it between 1900 and 1970.
Gasherbrum 1, Pakistan/China
Elevation: 8,080 meters
Trail type: Snowy slopes with glaciers and crevasses, mild occurrence of avalances
The Gasherbrum 1 is a mountain located on the border between Pakistan and China. You can find it at the Karakoram Range, which has a height of 8,080 meters above sea level. It’s perilous to climb because of avalanches, falling rocks, and the possibility of developing altitude sickness. Like many other hardest mountains to climb on this list, it can be climbed only between December and late April.
Mount Everest, Nepal/China
Elevation: 8,848 meters
Trail type: Snowy slopes, high occurrence of avalance, icy valleys, low oxygen levels, and rocky foothills
Mount Everest, also known as Sagarmatha in Nepal, or Qomolangma in Tibet, is the highest mountain in the world. And of course – the fact makes it one of the hardest mountains to climb on earth. It’s approximately 8,848 meters tall above sea level and has around 100 deaths per year because of avalanches and falling rocks. It’s also tough to climb because the weather conditions can change very quickly – too cold in winter and too hot in summer.
Thus, climbing Mount Everest requires a wholesome physical, emotional, and logistic preparation. Reaching it mighty peak is considered a big milestone for every climber. For that reason, people shift to the less-dangerous and recreational Everest Base Camp trekking. The 14-days hike takes you to the altitude of 5,364 meters above sea level, a testimony to Everest’s impeccable beauty.
Tour packages to Everest Base Camp with a sherpa guide and logistics are widely available. Check out these packages our local TripLeaders offer for your next hike!
Carstensz Pyramid, Indonesia
Elevation: 4,884 meters
Trail type: Rocky and steep slopes. Rock climbing gears required.
This mountain is located on the island of New Guinea in Indonesia. While its height is only 4,884 meters above sea level, it’s considered one of the world’s hardest mountains to climb because of its terrain: steep cliffs, deep valleys, and glacier fields make this mountain pretty challenging to access. In addition to that, it’s also surrounded by jungle which makes it very hard to find your way around. Only 50 percent of all climbers who attempted to climb it managed to do it and survive!
Mount Denali, Alaska, USA
Elevation: 6,190 meters
Trail type: Steep vertical climbs and rocky terrains. Reports of harsh weather
Although this mountain’s height implies ‘easy’ compared to other behemoths, it is not to be underestimated. Mount Denali’s steep terrains, glaciers, and unpredictable weather make it one of the hardest mountains to climb in the world. Moreover, its latitude contributes to the rapid changes of oxygen levels, which can be very low and dangerous.
Nanda Devi (South Face), India/Nepal
Elevation: 7,817 meters
Trail type: Winding and long alpine trails, steep and snowy slopes
The Nanda Devi is located in northern India at an altitude of 7,817 meters above sea level. It’s considered one of the hardest mountains to climb due to its challenging terrain, remarkable height, and remote location. The Nanda Devi sits in the border between India and Nepal, making it hard to reach from both countries. In addition, there are only two routes to reach the top: the northwest face or the south face.
Both require climbing skills, so learn everything you need before starting this adventure! If you want to climb it, make sure you start early enough because the weather conditions can change very quickly – too cold in winter and too hot in summer. The expedition usually takes two months!
Kanchenjunga (South Face), Nepal/India/China
Elevation: 8,586 meters
Trail type: Rocky and steep terrain, low oxygen levels, and high occurrence of avalances.
Kanchenjunga is the third-highest mountain in the world. Located at the border between Nepal, India, and China, it has an altitude of 8,586 meters above sea level. It’s considered one of the world’s hardest mountains to climb because of its location, which makes it hard to access from all three countries, and its height, which can pose a real challenge to people prone to altitude sickness. The average climbing time varies between two weeks and two months.
As you can see, there are many reasons why climbing these mountains should be left to those with the courage and skills to do so. You must be well-prepared to challenge yourself and fulfill your dreams of climbing mountains, let alone the difficult mountains to climb on Earth. Keep training and aim for less demanding peaks, talk with other climbers, and invest in high-quality equipment.
Moreover, if you want to climb a mountain with a guide, check out JoinMyTrip to kick-start your incredible adventure. You will find like-minded TripLeaders that will guide you through your climbing journey! Book a trip now!