Mountains. We climb them because they are there. We admire them for their majesty. And we marvel at their celestial beauty. Most mountains are dangerous, others are extremely sacred and some even remain unclimbed. Intrigued?

There are many incredible facts most people are unaware of, so read on for more reasons to pique (or rather peak) your interest in the world's mountains...

While every mountain can be considered dangerous and commands respect, some are in an altogether different league. The Himalayas obviously constitute such an example, and within this majestic range is the most deadly of all. Annapurna, with a fatality rate of over 30%, way surpassing the likes of K2 and Everest, is the most dangerous mountain on the planet.

Experts say it's down to the treacherous south face, which poses significant challenges for even the most experienced climbers. Think avalanches, plus hard to conquer rock and ice sections.

One of South Africa's most recognisable landmarks, Table Mountain towers proudly 3,563 feet (1,086m) above Cape Town. The distinctive peak is one of the New 7 Wonders of Nature, and attracts more than 800,000 visitors every year, many of whom attempt the various hiking and climbing trails to the summit. 

But, rather astonishingly, Table Mountain is also home to over 2,000 species of plants – this is more than what there is in the whole of the UK.

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This snow-capped giant is the highest peak in Peru, the highest in the Tropics and the fourth highest in South America, reaching an elevation of 22,205 feet (6,768m). Mount Huascaran is also the site of the deadliest avalanche in history. Triggered by the Ancash earthquake in 1970, waves of crashing snow enveloped the entire city of Yungay, spurning a death toll of over 20,000.

It remains a popular destination for hikers, however, and despite the altitude, isn't as physically demanding as it seems.  

Mountains, and their incredible heights, can be considered other worldly. But when it comes to Olympus Mons, it is literally the case. Situated on Mars, no less, stands Olympus Mons, the highest mountain in our Solar System.

At 14 miles (22km) high, Mons is over three times taller than Mount Everest. This volcano isn't just high, it's wide too. Its surface area is a huge 120,000 square miles (300,000sq km) – basically the same size as Poland.

Taumatawhakatangihangakoauauotamateapokaiwhenuakitanatahu Yes, it certainly looks like our arm slipped on the keyboard, but this is the longest place name in the world. (It's 85 characters, to save you the bother of counting.) Not quite a mountain, but a hill to be precise, whose summit rises 1,001 feet (305m) above sea level.

The meaning in Maori translates as 'the place where Tamatea, the man with the big knees, who slid, climbed and swallowed mountains, known as the landeater, played his flute to his loved one.' Or like the locals, you can simplify it to Taumata Hill.  

There are a few mountains in the Himalayas that have climbing restrictions, mainly for religious reasons. Gangkhar Puensum in Bhutan, is one such mountain. Standing at 24,836 feet (7,570m), however, this mountain is the world's highest unclimbed peak. Untouched by human footsteps, more people have walked on the moon than they have on here.  

It's hard to believe that this activity even exists, but you have to trust that we're really not joking. It has to be up there with the most death defying daredevil activity one could possibly do. Yet this really is one of the main attractions of Chilean volcano, Villarrica. Adrenaline junkies get taken up the peak by helicopter and then bungee, just a few hundred feet above a lake of molten lava.

If that isn't enough, the ride back to terra firma is no picnic either, dangling from the helicopter. Oh, you have to sign a death waiver too.  

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Thought to have been formed between 200 and 300 million years ago, the Smoky Mountains are one of the oldest mountain ranges in the world. They're also the most visited in America, attracting more than 12 million people each year. With over 2,900 miles (4,667km) of streams and 850 miles (1,368km) of hiking trails, it's easy to see why.

As many as 16 mountains here exceed 6,000 feet (1,829m) in elevation, and as well as being home to more than 4,000 plants and 65 mammals, this area is the salamander capital of the world with over 30 species.

Which mountain is closest to the atmosphere, or to put it another way, furthest away from the centre of the Earth? If you automatically assume it's Mount Everest, you'd be wrong. Mount Chimborazo in Ecuador is actually the closest to space.

Standing at a height of 20,702 feet (6,310m), the summit is over 6,800 feet (2,072m) farther from Earth's centre than Mount Everest's summit. This is due to a bulge in the Equator.

There's nothing quite like the majesty of Kilimanjaro, clouds befitting of a crown, towering above the plains of the Serengeti like the true natural king or queen of the continent. It is not only the highest mountain in Africa, but at 19,341 feet (5,895m) and comprised of three volcanic cones, Kilimanjaro is the highest free-standing mountain in the world.

Around 30,000 people attempt the summit every year, but it is estimated that around half of them fail. Although not a technical climb and the easiest of the 'Seven Summits', most struggle due to altitude sickness.  

If ever you're going to feel sorry for a mountain, perhaps you should start with this one – Mount Disappointment, part of the San Gabriel Mountains in California, USA. So what is the reason for such a dismissive moniker? Well, the first people to climb the mountain were quite simply, unimpressed.

In the late 19th century, a group of USGS surveyors, believing the peak to be the highest around, were left disappointed when they noticed an even higher mountain upon arrival at the summit. So in a nutshell, it was named after a group of explorers throwing a tantrum.  

The Barberton Makhonjwa Mountains in South Africa are considered to be the oldest mountains on the planet, at an estimated 3.5 billion years old. The ancient green rock formations are some of the oldest geological samples ever discovered. These days, Barberton is a popular tourist destination for hiking and paragliding, and is a poignant part of the rich history – literally, as gold was found here in the 1880s.  

It's well known in the world of mountaineering that K2, the world's second highest mountain, is one of the deadliest and most difficult to climb. With its Black Pyramid and House's Chimney sections, unpredictable weather, death zone and frequent avalanches, it remains the mountaineers' mountain. Only climbers of the highest calibre dare venture here.

K2, located in the Karakoram range in Asia, has claimed the lives of many people, with a fatality rate of around 25%, a death for every four successful summits. Also, there wasn't a winter ascent here until a Nepali team accomplished this impressive feat in 2021. 

As well as being home to the highest mountain in the southern hemisphere (Aconcagua), and having the mountain furthest away from the centre of the Earth (Chimborazo), the Andes boast even more records. They are the longest mountain chain in the world, stretching over 5,500 miles (8,900km) from Chile to Colombia.

Also, nestled high along the Peruvian/Bolivian border is Lake Titicaca, the highest navigable lake on Earth. This lake is located at a height of 12,507 feet (3,812m) and has a depth of around 920 feet (281m), making it suitable for vessels.  

Of course, we all know that this was the culprit for burying the villages of Pompeii and Herculaneum, but there are other facts regarding this historic volcano. For starters Vesuvius, which adorns the skyline on the Adriatic coast, looking over the city of Naples, is the only active volcano on mainland Europe. 

However, perhaps the most startling fact is that back in AD 79, before the most famous eruption in history, the inhabitants of those two towns had no idea they were even living underneath a volcano.

There is a mountain in New Zealand that identifies as a person. No, we really aren't joking. With a height of 8,261 feet (2,518m) Mount Taranaki, a long honoured ancestor of the Maori tribes, has been given the rights and responsibilities of a human.

Eight representatives, including four members of the Maori tribe, will act as the spokespeople for the peak, basically maintaining the health and well-being in spite of it becoming a popular tourist destination. The bill was passed through parliament in 2025, going some way to restoring relations with the Indigenous residents.  

We feel that a list of interesting facts on mountains deserves to have the world's smallest somewhere. At 141 feet (43m) above the surrounding countryside, Mount Wycheproof is the world's smallest registered mountain. The local town of the same name in Victoria, Australia has around 600 residents who will absolutely delight in telling visitors this fact. 

They also used to stage an annual sack race up this 'grass on a hill', as its name translates to. Dubbed the 'toughest foot race in Australia', competitors would have to run up carrying bags of rice on their shoulders, which is easier said than done despite the lack of height.

One of the world's most sacred mountains, Mount Kailash is a peak which, due to religious beliefs, is forbidden to climb. Holding a special place of reverence in the heart of four faiths: Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism and Bon, Kailash is a popular destination for pilgrims.

At 21,778 feet (6,638m), this holy mountain dominates the landscape and provides inspiration for many devotees who make the long, arduous 33-mile (52km) trek around the base.  

Mount Pulag is the third highest mountain in the Philippines and the highest on the island of Luzon, standing 9,587 feet (2,922m) above sea level. The mountain is also famous for being one of the Philippines' most aesthetic peaks, along with its amazing views from the summit of the 'sea of clouds' (pictured). Not to mention the Milky Way, where at sunrise and away from the light pollution of the metropolis, one can marvel at the celestial majesty of our galaxy.

More interestingly, though, the mountain was once used as a burial site by the Ibaloi people of Benguet. Here, they mummified the dead and placed them in the mountain's caverns.

Standing at 14,692 feet (4,478m), the Matterhorn and its aesthetic allure attracts tourists from every corner of the globe. Never has a mountain in history had more lenses pointed towards its picture-perfect distinctive peak; in fact, this is the most photographed mountain on Earth.

It is estimated that each tourist, on average, snaps around 30 images. With over three million visitors per year (adding both the Swiss and Italian sides of the border) this equates to around 100 million photos per year.

While there is a higher unclimbed peak in Bhutan, Labuche Kang III remains the highest legally accessible unclimbed summit. Partly because of government restrictions in Bhutan, where mountaineering has been forbidden since 2003, and partly because of the remote location. Permission can be gained to access the vicinity, although it's notoriously difficult.

Reaching a height of 1,3015 feet (3,967m), the Eiger is one of the most unusual and notorious mountains in the world. While ascending via the 'easy' routes along the ridges don't present too much of an issue, the real challenge lies on its North Face. It's a one-mile (1.6km) high vertical wall of limestone and ice.

Due to the proximity, this side of the mountain even has its own weather system. Unfortunately, over 60 people have lost their lives trying to scale this double-edged sword of beauty and danger, earning it the nickname 'Murder Wall'.

Yes, the world's highest mountain is actually growing every year. We're talking millimetres of course, but due to the tectonic plates constantly pushing against each other, it keeps going up. It currently stands at 29,032 feet (8,849m).

A more sobering fact about the world's highest mountain (when measured above sea level) is the number of dead bodies that are scattered around. Over 200 climbers still sleep on the mountain, the conditions perfectly preserving their bodies but also making retrieval almost impossible.  

Before the first successful ascent of Nanga Parbat in 1953, this monster mountain had claimed the lives of 31 people, earning its fearsome nickname, Killer Mountain. Due to the location, vulnerability to the weather and complete exposure to the jet stream, any ascent is considered treacherous.

Add to that the world's highest face, the Rupal – a 15,000 foot (6,600m) wall of rock and ice – and you can understand why this mountain is considered one of the most difficult climbs in the world behind K2 and Annapurna.

Now discover the incredible facts you didn't know about the Himalayas