Mountains, Ranked

At 8,849 m it is Earth's highest peak above sea level, first summited in 1953 by Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay. No mountain is more universally recognized.

A near-symmetrical 4,478 m horn on the Swiss-Italian border, arguably the most photographed mountain on Earth and the inspiration for the Toblerone logo. Its 1865 first ascent ended in a deadly descent.

The world's second-highest peak at 8,611 m and vastly harder and deadlier than Everest, with no easy route. It resisted all winter attempts until January 2021.

At 6,190 m it is the highest peak in North America, and its base-to-summit rise is among the largest of any mountain on land. Brutal subarctic cold makes it a serious objective.

The Alps' highest peak at about 4,807 m, whose 1786 first ascent by Balmat and Paccard effectively launched modern mountaineering. It remains one of the most climbed big mountains on Earth.

A 3,776 m active stratovolcano and Japan's highest point, its symmetrical form is a UNESCO World Heritage site and a national symbol depicted for centuries in art.

At 5,895 m it is the highest peak in Africa and the world's tallest free-standing mountain. Uniquely among the Seven Summits, fit trekkers can reach the top without technical climbing.

At 6,961 m it is the highest mountain outside Asia and the tallest in both the Southern and Western Hemispheres. A true high-altitude giant with a non-technical normal route.

A 4,392 m active volcano looming over Seattle, carrying the most glacial ice of any peak in the contiguous US. It's a classic training ground for Everest-bound climbers.

At 3,967 m its infamous Nordwand, nicknamed the 'Mordwand' (murder wall), is one of the deadliest and most storied faces in alpine history. A legend among climbers.

Annapurna I, at 8,091 m the tenth-highest peak, was the first 8,000 m mountain ever climbed (1950) but historically carried the highest death-to-summit ratio of any 8,000er.

The ninth-highest peak at 8,126 m, earning its nickname after a wave of early fatalities. Its Rupal Face rises about 4,600 m, among the tallest mountain faces on Earth.

A 2,694 m granite dome sheared to a sheer 1,500 m vertical face, it's the visual signature of Yosemite. Its cable route to the summit is a bucket-list hike.

At 1,345 m it's the highest peak in the British Isles, but its summit is shrouded in cloud most of the year and the tourist path draws over 100,000 walkers annually.

A striking flat-topped landmark rising about 1,086 m above Cape Town and a New7Wonders of Nature finalist. Scenic, but a rotating cable car ferries most visitors to the top.

At 1,917 m it's the highest peak in the Northeastern US and held the world-record surface wind gust of 231 mph for decades. Notorious weather, but you can drive to the top.

At just 2,228 m it is mainland Australia's highest point and by far the weakest of the Seven Summits — a gentle graded path lets casual walkers reach the top in an afternoon.