10 forbidden mountains of the world: Mount Kailash, Kangchenjunga, Spider Rock and more

Mountains have always drawn people towards them. Some attract climbers seeking technical challenges, others lure pilgrims searching for something less tangible. Across the world, thousands of peaks are open to expeditions, trekking groups and adventure tourists. Yet a small number remain beyond reach, not because they are impossible to climb, but because societies, governments or religious traditions have decided they should remain untouched.The reasons differ from place to place. Some peaks are regarded as the dwelling places of deities. Others stand within Indigenous landscapes where climbing is considered deeply disrespectful. A few have been closed to protect fragile environments damaged by decades of human activity. In an era when satellite mapping and modern equipment have made even remote summits accessible, these mountains represent a different idea altogether: that not every high point needs a flag planted on top of it.According to WorldAtlas, check the list of the forbidden mountains of the world.1. Mount Kailash, TibetRising from the stark landscape of western Tibet, Mount Kailash is one of the most recognisable sacred mountains on Earth. Its almost symmetrical shape has inspired spiritual traditions for centuries and continues to attract pilgrims from across Asia. What makes Kailash unusual is the number of faiths that regard it as holy. Hindus associate the mountain with Lord Shiva, Buddhists view it as a place of profound spiritual significance, Jains connect it to the liberation of their first Tirthankara, while followers of the ancient Bön tradition also consider it sacred. Although mountaineers have climbed many neighbouring Himalayan and Transhimalayan peaks, Kailash remains off-limits. Pilgrims instead complete a journey around its base, a route known as the kora, believing the circuit itself holds far greater meaning than standing on the summit.2. Ball's Pyramid, AustraliaUnlike most mountains on this list, Ball's Pyramid rises directly from the ocean. Located near Lord Howe Island, it is the remains of an ancient volcano and forms the tallest volcanic sea stack on the planet. Its cliffs attracted adventurous climbers during the twentieth century, leading to several successful ascents. Environmental concerns eventually prompted restrictions, and climbing was banned for a period.Access rules later changed, but reaching the summit now requires special permission. As a result, only a small number of people are allowed to attempt the climb.3. Mount Omine, JapanDeep within Japan's Kii Peninsula lies Mount Omine, a mountain long associated with Shugendo, a spiritual tradition that combines elements of Buddhism, Shinto and mountain asceticism. Pilgrims have trained on its slopes for centuries, undertaking physically demanding journeys intended to strengthen both body and spirit. The summit area contains important religious sites that continue to attract practitioners.What sets Mount Omine apart is a restriction that has survived into the modern era. Women are still prohibited from entering certain sacred zones near the summit, making it one of the last places in Japan where such a rule remains in force.4. Kangchenjunga, between India and NepalAt 8,586 metres, Kangchenjunga is the third-highest mountain in the world and dominates the skyline along the border between India and Nepal. Its massive ridges and glaciers make it one of the most imposing peaks in the Himalayas. For the people of Sikkim, however, Kangchenjunga is far more than a mountain. It occupies a central place in local spiritual traditions and folklore. Out of respect for these beliefs, a long-standing custom developed among climbers: expeditions stop just short of the highest point rather than stepping onto the summit itself.The practice has continued for decades. While successful ascents are recognised, many mountaineers still honour the tradition by leaving the final few steps untouched.5. Gangkhar Puensum, BhutanBhutan's highest mountain also holds one of mountaineering's most intriguing records. Gangkhar Puensum has never been climbed, despite standing at 7,570 metres and attracting considerable interest from expedition teams during the twentieth century. The country gradually tightened restrictions on mountaineering as part of broader efforts to respect sacred landscapes. By the early 2000s, climbing on Bhutan's highest peaks had effectively come to an end.As a result, Gangkhar Puensum remains the world's highest unclimbed mountain. Snow-covered and rarely seen by outsiders, it occupies a unique place in modern exploration.6. Spider Rock, United StatesTowering above Canyon de Chelly in Arizona, Spider Rock rises dramatically from the canyon floor as a narrow sandstone spire. It is one of the most recognisable landmarks in the American Southwest. Within Navajo tradition, the formation is associated with Spider Grandmother, an important figure in cultural and spiritual stories passed down through generations.Because of its significance, climbing is prohibited. Visitors can view the rock from overlooks around the canyon, but reaching its summit is not permitted under Navajo Nation regulations.7. Shiprock, United StatesShiprock appears suddenly from the desert landscape in northwestern New Mexico, standing alone above the surrounding plain. Its unusual shape is the result of ancient volcanic activity, leaving behind a striking geological monument. The formation holds deep cultural importance for the Navajo people, who know it by a traditional name linked to stories of migration and protection.Climbing was once allowed, and several ascents took place during the twentieth century. Following a fatal accident and growing concern about preserving a sacred site, authorities prohibited further climbing. The ban remains in place today.8. Machhapuchhre, NepalFew mountains possess a profile as distinctive as Machhapuchhre. Its sharply split summit resembles the tail of a fish, giving the peak its name and making it instantly recognisable from the valleys around Annapurna. The mountain is regarded as sacred to Shiva, and that status has shaped every attempt to climb it. A British expedition approached the summit during the 1950s but turned back near the top under an agreement that the highest point would remain untouched.Since then, authorities have maintained the closure. Trekkers can admire the peak from countless viewpoints across central Nepal, but no climber is permitted to stand on its summit.9. Kawagarbo, ChinaPart of the Meili Snow Mountains, Kawagarbo rises above deep valleys and remote Tibetan communities in southwestern China. For Tibetan Buddhists, it is among the region's most revered peaks. Rather than climbing the mountain, pilgrims traditionally walk a lengthy route around it. The journey can take days and is considered an act of devotion.The mountain's reputation grew even further after a tragic avalanche disaster in the early 1990s claimed the lives of an entire climbing team. Local interpretations varied, but many saw the event as confirmation that the peak was not meant to be conquered. Climbing was later prohibited, and the summit remains unreached.10. Mount Banahaw, PhilippinesMount Banahaw occupies a special place in the religious landscape of the Philippines. For generations, pilgrims have travelled to its slopes, where caves, springs and forested trails became associated with spiritual practice. Growing visitor numbers eventually created serious environmental problems. Litter, erosion and damage to natural habitats began affecting large sections of the mountain.Authorities responded by restricting access to much of the area. While certain pilgrimage sites remain accessible under controlled conditions, large portions of Banahaw continue to be closed as conservation efforts carry on.