Highest Peaks in Jammu & Kashmir: 10 Peaks, Listed & Explained
Jammu & Kashmir's mountains, from Srinagar's skyline to the Nun summit.
Ten notable summits, from 7,135 m Nun on the Ladakh border to Mahadev above Srinagar, with their heights, ranges, first ascents and what you can actually do on each: climb it, walk it, or admire it as a sacred peak.
- 7,135 m Nun
- 5,425 m Kolahoi, Kashmir Valley
- 10 peaks in our table
- 6,574 m Sickle Moon, Kishtwar
- Mid-May–mid-Oct season
Mountains of India › Highest Peaks in Jammu & Kashmir
Last verified 8 Nov 2026
Which is the highest peak in Jammu and Kashmir?
Nun (7,135 m / 23,409 ft), the higher summit of the Nun Kun massif on the Jammu & Kashmir–Ladakh border, is the highest peak in Jammu and Kashmir; climbers reach it from Kargil’s Suru valley. Inside the Kashmir Valley the highest is Kolahoi (5,425 m) above Pahalgam, and in the Kishtwar Himalaya it is Sickle Moon (6,574 m). All 10 are in our list of India’s highest peaks.
Jammu & Kashmir is a small union territory with big mountains on three sides. The Great Himalaya runs along its east, from the Nun Kun massif through Kishtwar to the peaks above Pahalgam and Sonamarg. The Pir Panjal closes the Kashmir Valley to the south-west, and the low Zabarwan range rises straight behind Srinagar’s Dal Lake.
The question “which is the highest peak in Jammu and Kashmir?” has two common answers, and both are right in their own way. For the whole union territory it is Nun (7,135 m), the higher twin of Nun Kun. Nun is counted in Jammu & Kashmir and its neighbour Kun (7,077 m) in Ladakh, but the massif is approached from the Ladakh side, through Kargil and the Suru valley. When people ask for the highest peak in Kashmir, they usually mean the Kashmir Valley, and there the answer is Kolahoi (5,425 m), the “Matterhorn of Kashmir” above Pahalgam.
Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh became separate union territories on 31 October 2019, so older lists that mix them up are out of date; our Ladakh peaks guide covers the other side of the line. Our table holds the 10 notable J&K peaks in the dataset behind our Indian Himalaya guide: one above 7,000 m, two in the 6,000s, three in the 5,000s, three in the 4,000s and one in the 3,000s. A few smaller summits on Wikipedia, such as Kazinag and Sirbal, are not in our dataset.
Mountains in Jammu and Kashmir by height: all 10 peaks
The animation sets seven J&K peaks side by side at their true heights, from Mahadev (3,966 m) above Srinagar up to Nun (7,135 m).
Search the table by name, or sort it by height or first ascent. The status column shows whether a peak has been climbed or is restricted. For the country’s other giants, see our 7,000 m peaks list and 6,000 m peaks list.
Showing 10 of 10 peaks
| # | State | Range | Status | Grade | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | NunListed as the highest point of Jammu & Kashmir UT (massif straddles the J&K–Ladakh boundary); Claude Kogan set a women's altitude record here. | 7,135 m23,409 ft | Jammu & Kashmir | Great Himalaya (Nun Kun massif) | 1953 | Climbed | Technical |
| 2 | Sickle MoonHighest summit of the Kishtwar Himalaya (also called Bharanzar); first climbed in 1975 by an Indian Army HAWS team. | 6,574 m21,568 ft | Jammu & Kashmir | Kishtwar Himalaya | 1975 | Climbed | Technical |
| 3 | Brammah IFirst major climb in the Kishtwar Himalaya. | 6,416 m21,050 ft | Jammu & Kashmir | Kishtwar Himalaya | 1973 | Climbed | Technical |
| 4 | KolahoiHighest peak of the Kashmir Valley; the 'Matterhorn of Kashmir'. | 5,425 m17,799 ft | Jammu & Kashmir | Great Himalaya (Lidder) | 1912 | Climbed | Technical |
| 5 | Amarnath PeakAmarnath Yatra draws hundreds of thousands of pilgrims to the cave each summer. | 5,186 m17,014 ft | Jammu & Kashmir | Great Himalaya (Zoji La) | — | Restricted | Moderate |
| 6 | HarmukhSacred 'Kailash of Kashmir' above Gangabal lake. | 5,142 m16,870 ft | Jammu & Kashmir | Great Himalaya (Harmukh) | 1899 | Climbed | Moderate |
| 7 | Sunset PeakHighest peak of the Pir Panjal range in Kashmir. | 4,745 m15,568 ft | Jammu & Kashmir | Pir Panjal | 1901 | Climbed | Moderate |
| 8 | Tatakooti | 4,725 m15,502 ft | Jammu & Kashmir | Pir Panjal | 1901 | Climbed | Moderate |
| 9 | ApharwatServes one of the world's highest ski gondolas. | 4,390 m14,403 ft | Jammu & Kashmir | Pir Panjal | — | Climbed | Trekking peak |
| 10 | MahadevHighest peak of the Zabarwan range; historic Hindu pilgrimage. | 3,966 m13,012 ft | Jammu & Kashmir | Zabarwan Range | — | Climbed | Trekking peak |
Permits for climbing in Jammu & Kashmir
Every peak expedition by foreigners needs permission from the Government of India through the Indian Mountaineering Foundation (IMF), as J&K’s tourism corporation states. The IMF base fee for a foreign team of two is US$500 for peaks up to 6,500 m, US$700 for 6,501–7,000 m and US$1,000 above 7,000 m, plus US$500 for liaison-officer equipment; per-member charges apply (IMF, checked 1 Oct 2026).
In August 2019 the Home Ministry’s list of 137 peaks opened to foreigners counted 15 in what was then Jammu & Kashmir, before Ladakh became a separate union territory; that figure covers both of today’s territories. A tourist visa covers open areas; confirm visa rules with the Indian mission.
Nun is reached through Kargil, which is in Ladakh, so plan that approach with Ladakh’s rules too. See our IMF permit and fees guide and how to climb in India.
Jammu & Kashmir's peaks, area by area
The ten peaks fall into six areas, from the remote Nun side in the east to the Srinagar skyline.
Nun (from Kargil)
- Nun (7,135 m / 23,409 ft): J&K’s highest, on the Ladakh border
- Usual base camp about 4,600 m in the upper Sentik valley; the normal route is the west ridge
The road-head is Tangol in the Suru valley, reached from Kargil in Ladakh.
Kishtwar Himalaya
- Sickle Moon (Bharanzar, 6,574 m): the range’s highest, first climbed in 1975
- Brammah I (6,416 m): Bonington and Estcourt, 1973
Remote and technical: about 145 km of road from Srinagar to Kishtwar, then about 50 km of track to the Sickle Moon base.
Lidder valley (Pahalgam)
- Kolahoi (5,425 m / 17,799 ft): the Kashmir Valley’s highest, the “Matterhorn of Kashmir”
The usual route is the south face, from Aru near Pahalgam: about 21 km of alpine trekking to the glacier.
Sind valley and Gangabal
- Harmukh (5,142–5,300 m by source): the sacred “Kailash of Kashmir” above Gangabal lake
- Amarnath Peak (5,186 m): above the Amarnath cave, not climbed
Harmukh’s easiest route starts at Arin (Bandipora); pilgrims to Gangabal start at Naranag.
Pir Panjal
- Sunset Peak (4,745 m): the range’s highest on the Kashmir side, first climbed in 1901
- Tatakooti (4,725 m, also given as 4,760 m), also 1901
- Apharwat (4,390 m): above Gulmarg, served by one of the world’s highest ski gondolas
These peaks lie close to the Line of Control: check the local security advisory first.
Srinagar
- Mahadev (3,966 m / 13,012 ft): the highest of the Zabarwan range and a historic Hindu pilgrimage
A day or overnight hike from the edge of the city.
Climbing firsts in Jammu & Kashmir
| Year | Ascent |
|---|---|
| 1856 | Station Peak (4,698 m) on the Harmukh massif: climbed by the Great Trigonometrical Survey under Montgomerie |
| 1899 | Harmukh: Dr Ernest Neve and Geoffrey Millais |
| 1901 | Sunset Peak (Arthur and Ernest Neve) and Tatakooti (C.E. Barton and Ernest Neve) in the Pir Panjal |
| 1912 | Kolahoi (5,425 m): Dr Ernest Neve and Kenneth Mason |
| 1953 | Nun (7,135 m): Pierre Vittoz and Claude Kogan, west ridge, on 28 August, with a French–Swiss–Indian team led by Bernard Pierre; Kogan set a women’s altitude record |
| 1973 | Brammah I (6,416 m): Chris Bonington and Nick Estcourt, south-east ridge |
| 1975 | Sickle Moon (6,574 m): an Indian Army High Altitude Warfare School team led by Lt Col D.N. Tankha |
| 2023 | First Indian ascent of Brammah I, on 18 July, by the Sonarpur Aarohi Club of West Bengal; in September the first traverse of “Kolahoi Greater”, by a team led by Inayat Ullah Bhat |
Kolahoi is loose ground: rockfall killed two descending climbers on 7 September 2018, and its glacier shrank from 13.57 km² in 1963 to 10.69 km² in 2005. More firsts across India in our highest peak in every state guide.
Best time to climb in Kashmir, and current access
| Months | What to expect |
|---|---|
| Mid-May–mid-October | The mountaineering season given by J&K’s tourism corporation (JKTDC) |
| June–September | The usual window for all ten peaks in our dataset |
| December–March | Winter; Apharwat above Gulmarg is skied rather than climbed |
Check access before you plan. After the April 2025 Pahalgam attack, several Kashmir trekking routes were closed for a time, and some Great Lakes areas were still restricted in July 2025. We found no official 2026 order either way, so check the J&K administration’s current advisory before you plan, especially near the Line of Control.
The Kashmir Great Lakes and Gangabal treks are hugely popular, but they are treks, not climbs; this page sticks to the peaks. Base camps here still sit above 4,000 m, so read our altitude sickness guide.
Want to climb? Start next door in Himachal
Many people who search for a Kashmir peak are really looking for a first snow summit or a first technical climb. Neighbouring Himachal Pradesh has both, without J&K’s security advisories.
- A Kolahoi-size first summitFriendship Peak (5,289 m) above Manali, the classic first snow climb.
- A first 6,000 m peakYunam (6,111 m) near the Baralacha La, on the Manali–Leh road.
- A Kishtwar-style technical peakIndrasan (6,220 m) or Deo Tibba above the Kullu valley.
Information only. Suzu arranges climbs in Himachal Pradesh only, so we do not sell Jammu & Kashmir peaks. For every option, see our Himachal peaks guide.
Jammu & Kashmir's peaks: your questions
Which is the highest peak in Jammu and Kashmir?
Nun, 7,135 m (23,409 ft), the higher summit of the Nun Kun massif on the Jammu & Kashmir–Ladakh border. It is approached from Kargil through the Suru valley.
Which is the highest peak in the Kashmir Valley?
Kolahoi, 5,425 m (17,799 ft), at the head of the Lidder valley above Pahalgam. It is often called the Matterhorn of Kashmir.
Is Nun Kun in Jammu & Kashmir or Ladakh?
Both. Nun (7,135 m) is counted in Jammu & Kashmir and Kun (7,077 m) in Ladakh; the massif is reached from the Ladakh side, through Kargil.
Can you climb Kolahoi?
Yes. It was first climbed in 1912, and the usual route is the south face from Aru near Pahalgam. It is a technical climb with rockfall risk: two climbers died on the descent in 2018.
Which is the highest peak of the Pir Panjal in Kashmir?
Sunset Peak, 4,745 m (15,568 ft), first climbed in 1901. It lies close to the Line of Control, so check local security advisories.
Why is Harmukh famous?
It is the sacred “Kailash of Kashmir” above Gangabal lake, 5,142–5,300 m depending on the source. Ernest Neve and Geoffrey Millais first climbed it in 1899.
Which is the highest peak in the Kishtwar Himalaya?
Sickle Moon (Bharanzar), 6,574 m (21,568 ft), first climbed in 1975 by an Indian Army team led by Lt Col D.N. Tankha.
When is the climbing season in Kashmir?
Mid-May to mid-October, according to J&K’s tourism corporation; June to September is the usual window for the peaks. Foreign teams also need IMF permission for every peak.
Dreaming of Kolahoi or Nun? Climb in Himachal first
Suzu arranges climbs in Himachal only, so we do not sell Jammu & Kashmir peaks. If a first snow summit or a 6,000 m peak is your goal, Himachal is a good place to start: Friendship Peak first, then Yunam. Tell us your dates, team size and experience, and we pair you with a registered Himachal outfitter and certified guides. Price: Get Quote.
Keep exploring
Mountains of Sikkim19 peaks · Kangchenjunga 8,586 m, sacred and closedPeaks of Arunachal Pradesh5 peaks · Kangto 7,090 m, first climbed in 2025
Peaks of Ladakh35 peaks · Saltoro Kangri 7,742 m to Machoi
Peaks of Uttarakhand62 peaks · Nanda Devi 7,816 m to Nag TibbaMountains of IndiaRecords, permits and trainingHighest peaks in IndiaFull list of 161 peaksGuided peak climbsFriendship Peak to Deo TibbaSources
- Wikipedia — Nun Kun
- Wikipedia — List of Indian states and union territories by elevation
- Wikipedia — Kolahoi Peak
- Wikipedia — Sickle Moon Peak
- Wikipedia — Kishtwar Himalaya
- Himalayan Journal 33 — The first ascent of Brammah, 1973
- Republic World, Jul 2023 — Indian mountaineers scale Mt Brammah I in Kishtwar
- Wikipedia — Harmukh
- Wikipedia — Sunset Peak (Jammu and Kashmir)
- Wikipedia — Apharwat Peak
- Wikipedia — Amarnath Peak
- Wikipedia — Mahadev Peak
- JKTDC — Mountaineering in Kashmir
- Indian Mountaineering Foundation — Peak fees
- Kashmir Life, Jul 2025 — Trekkers call for reopening of Great Lakes
Photo credits
Kangchenjunga at sunrise — Photo: Johannes Bahrdt, CC BY-SA 4.0 · Kang Yatse above the Markha valley — Photo: SlartibErtfass der bertige, CC BY-SA 3.0 · Nanda Devi above the Garhwal ridges — Photo: Harshit SR, CC BY-SA 4.0
