The famous mountain peaks of the world are either the highest peaks of a mountain range/country or the peaks that are difficult to climb. In this article, we will take a look at the world’s 10 most famous peaks. Let’s read.
World’s 10 most famous peaks
1. Mount Everest
Mount Everest is without a doubt the world’s most famous mountain peak. Standing at an elevation of 8,848.86 m (29,031.7 ft), it is located on the Nepal-China border. The world’s highest mountain is climbed by hundreds of mountaineers every year despite the challenges it presents. Locally Mount Everest is known as Sagarmāthā in Nepali and Chomolungma in Tibetan.
2. Mount Fuji
Mount Fuji is the tallest mountain peak in Japan. It is located on Japan’s Honshu island, 130 km southwest of Tokyo. A stratovolcano, Mount Fuji stands at 3,776 m (12,389 ft). Mount Fuji has literally became a symbol of Japan. Every famous aerial shot of Tokyo Metropolitan area has Mount Fuji in the background.
3. Mount Kilimanjaro
Mount Kilimanjaro is a very special mountain. It is the highest “free-standing” mountain in the world (above sea level). Located in Tanzania, the mountain has three cones – Kibo, Mawenzi, and Shira. Kibo is the highest and the most well known. Uhuru peak is the highest point on Kibo at around 5,895 m (19,340 ft). Mount Kilimanjaro is also the highest mountain in Africa.
4. K2
K2 is the second highest mountain peak in the world. It stands at an elevation of 8,611 m (28,251 ft) above sea level. The peak is part of the Karakoram range. Although shorter than Mount Everest, K2 is more difficult to climb because of steeper ascents and unpredictable weather.
5. Annapurna
Speaking of difficult mountains to climb, Annapurna is arguably the most difficult of them all. Annapurna I or simply Annapurna has an elevation of 8,091 m (26,545 ft) which makes it the 10th highest mountain peak in the world. The steep slopes of Annapurna are prone to avalanches and snow slides making the peak a nightmare for climbers.
6. Mont Blanc
Mont Blanc is the highest mountain in the Alps and Western Europe, rising to 4,805.59 m (15,766.4 ft) above sea level. It is located on the France-Italy international border. The summit of Mont Blanc is one of the most climbed high summits in the world. Over 20,000 people try to conquer Mont Blanc every year.
7. Aconcagua
Aconcagua is the highest mountain outside Asia. It is located in Argentina near the Argentina-Chile international border. Standing at 6,960.8 m (22,837 ft), Aconcagua is the highest mountain in the Americas, Southern Hemisphere, and Western Hemisphere.
(Also read: Major mountain ranges in the world)
8. Denali
Denali is the highest mountain peak in North America. It has a summit elevation of 6,190 m (20,310 ft) above sea level. It is also the third most prominent and third most isolated peak on Earth, after Mount Everest and Aconcagua. Formerly known as Mount McKinley, Denali is one of the main attractions of Denali National Park.
9. Mount Whitney
Mount Whitney is the highest mountain in the Sierra Nevada mountain range of Western United States. It has an elevation of 4,421 m (14,505 ft). Outside of Alaska, Mount Whitney has the highest elevation among all US mountains. Mount Whitney is climbed regularly by hikers through various routes.
10. Mount Etna
One of the world’s most famous active volcanoes, Mount Etna is located on the island of Sicily, Italy. Mount Etna has a height of around 3,360 m. The height changes frequently because of eruptions. Catania, a major city in Sicily sits at the base of Mount Etna. The aerial distance from the Mount Etna to Catania is just 20 km.