Gilgit-Baltistan, Pakistan/China
K2
Trip Guide & 3D Map
Karakoram · Difficulty, season, and access — then explore the 3D terrain
Planning snapshot
K2 is a 28,251 ft summit in the Karakoram (Pakistan/China). PeakAtlas rates it expedition (Extreme expedition); best season is Jun–Aug. Permit required. Typical staging is Skardu (120 mi). Limited lodging data is mapped from OpenStreetMap for this region — stage in the listed town rather than expecting a full hotel directory. Use the 3D map and trip checklist before you go.
- Elevation
- 28,251 ft
- Prominence
- 13,189 ft
- Difficulty tier
- Expedition
- Best season
- Jun–Aug
- Permits
- Permit required
- Staging
- Skardu · 120 mi
- Mapped lodging
- Limited / none mapped
- Listed trails
- 2
As of 2026-07-31 · Figures come from the PeakAtlas3D catalog: surveyed elevations and prominence, curated difficulty tiers, best-season windows, permit notes, staging-town distances, trail lists, and OpenStreetMap lodging near each summit. Not live weather, quotas, or prices.
How hard is K2, and what do you need before you go?
K2 is listed as Extreme expedition with a best season of Jun–Aug. Use the difficulty, permit, and staging details below before you commit to a date.
- Difficulty
- Extreme expedition
- Best season
- Jun–Aug
- Access / staging
- Skardu, Gilgit-Baltistan
How tall is K2, and where is it?
- Location
- Gilgit-Baltistan, Pakistan/China
- Elevation
- 28,251 ft
- Prominence
- 13,189 ft
- Mountain range
- Karakoram
- Difficulty
- Extreme expedition
What makes K2 notable?
The savage mountain — second highest, far more committing than Everest.
The savage mountain of the Karakoram — steeper, colder, and statistically more dangerous than Everest.
After you check trip readiness for K2, explore the summit on PeakAtlas3D’s interactive 3D topographic map in the Karakoram, Gilgit-Baltistan, Pakistan/China.
Closest places
- Skardu — Gilgit-Baltistan via Karakoram Hwy
- 岑岭县 سېنلىڭ — Pakistan/China
- 新华镇 — Pakistan/China
Notable trails & routes
- Abruzzi Spur
- Cesen Route