The 11 Highest Mountains in Asia

Asia is the largest continent in the world and accounts for around 30% of the world’s total land area. There are 48 countries in Asia, and they feature a wide variety of landforms, including mountains. Asia is famous for being home to some of the highest mountains in the world, including the famous Mount Everest. So, keep reading to learn about the highest mountains in Asia!

11. Gasherbrum I — 26,510 feet

The first mountain is Gasherbrum I with an elevation of 26,510 feet. It is located on the border between China and Pakistan and is often known as the “Hidden Peak” due to its remote location. Gasherbrum I is a technically difficult mountain to climb and was not successfully climbed until 1958.

10. Annapurna I — 26,545 feet

The next mountain is Annapurna I in Nepal with a height of 26,545 feet. Annapurna I is credited with being one of the deadliest mountains in the world, with a particularly high death rate which currently puts it just behind K2. One of the deadliest days on the mountain occurred in 2014 when a large snowstorm caused several avalanches on Annapurna and the nearby Dhaulagiri, killing 43 people. Annapurna I is part of the Annapurna massif which is 34 miles long.

9. Nanga Parbat — 26,660 feet

Sometimes known by its local name of Diamer, Nanga Parbat is a 26,660-foot high mountain in Pakistan. However, it has a prominence of 15,118 feet, which is the second-highest after only Mount Everest. Nanga Parbat has a long main ridge and several smaller peaks, as well as the main summit. It was first ascended in 1953, although there had been several unsuccessful attempts prior to this, some of which ended with fatalities.

8. Manaslu — 26,781 feet

The eighth-highest mountain in Asia and the world is Manaslu, with a height of 26,781 feet. Manaslu is located in Nepal and is part of the Himalayas. There are a variety of habitats on the mountain, and Manaslu is particularly notable for being home to several rare or endangered species. These include the Himalayan musk deer, snow leopards, and the dhole. Manaslu is one of the most dangerous mountains to climb due to the high risk of avalanches, bad weather in the monsoon season, and tricky, snow-covered ridges.

7. Dhaulagiri — 26,795 feet

The next mountain is Dhaulagiri, whose name means “White Mountain”. Dhaulagiri is located in Nepal and has an elevation of 26,795 feet. Dhaulagiri has four main peaks, with the highest being Dhaulagiri I which features a vertical cliff wall of around 15,000 feet. The mountain features several glaciers and is covered with much snow. It is a popular mountain for climbing, although it is still particularly dangerous, with several people having been killed on it due to avalanches and treacherous ridges.

6. Cho Oyu — 26,864 feet

The next mountain is Cho Oyu, which is 26,864 feet above sea level. Cho Oyu is located only a short distance from the Nangpa La mountain pass. The close proximity of the mountain to the pass and the relatively easy slopes mean that Cho Oyu is considered to be one of the easiest mountains with a height of more than 8,000 meters (26,247 feet) to climb. It is also considered to be a good mountain to climb as training before attempting to climb Mount Everest.

5. Makalu — 27,825 feet

The fifth-highest mountain in Asia is Makalu, with an elevation of 27,825 feet. Makalu has a unique appearance, with its main peak shaped like a pyramid. Makalu is located in the Himalayas, just 12 miles from Mount Everest. The mountain lies within the Makalu Barun National Park which spans 580 square miles and includes tropical forests and river valleys, as well as Baruntse, Chamalang, and Mera mountains.

4. Lhotse — 27,940 feet

With four main summits, Lhotse has a height of 27,940 feet. However, it is located within the Everest massif and has a prominence of only 2,000 feet. Despite this, it is still considered to be a challenging mountain to climb and is one of the most dangerous in the world. Lhotse was not successfully climbed until a Swiss expedition in 1956.

3. Kangchenjunga — 28,169 feet

With a height of 28,169 feet, Kangchenjunga takes the third position, as well as that of the third-highest mountain in the world. Kangchenjunga is located in the Himalayas, on the border between India and Nepal. Kangchenjunga features a variety of ecosystems, including forests, grasslands, and the Eastern Himalayan alpine shrub and meadows. A large portion of these areas are protected due to the high number of endangered animals that live within them, including Asiatic black bears, snow leopards, and red pandas.

2. K2 — 28,251 feet

The second-highest mountain is K2 in Pakistan which has an elevation of 28,251 feet. K2 is often called the Savage Mountain, a name coined by mountaineer George Bell in 1953. However, it is also considered to be the deadliest mountain in the world due to the high number of deaths that occur on it. Some of the greatest dangers to climbers on K2 are the lack of oxygen and the risk of altitude sickness, as well as the frequent risk of avalanches.

1. Mount Everest — 29,032 feet

The highest mountain in Asia is Mount Everest, which is also the highest mountain in the world at 29,032 feet. Mount Everest is located within the Himalayas and is known as being one of the toughest mountains to climb, owing to its treacherous landscape and adverse weather conditions. Temperatures on the mountain are almost always below freezing, with the lowest temperature recorded at the summit being -42 degrees Fahrenheit. There are also several glaciers on the mountain, although some of these have shrunk significantly in the last 30 years.

The photo featured at the top of this post is © iStock.com/Skazzjy