UpToWhereWhat can you see from Mount Kinabalu?
A granite intrusion thrust upward one million years ago, teeming with 5,000+ plant species.
From Mount Kinabalu, the terrain-limited line of sight reaches up to 355 km. The single farthest piece of visible terrain lies 355 km to the north-northeast (bearing 24°), at 1,478 m elevation. These results account for Earth's curvature and standard atmospheric refraction, computed from 30-meter resolution Copernicus GLO-30 elevation data across 2,455,437 terrain samples.
Open the interactive visibility map →Visibility by direction
The horizon is most open toward the north-northeast, where sightlines run 266 km on average; terrain closes the view down fastest to the east-southeast, at 84.1 km.
| N | 244 km | |
| NNE | 266 km | |
| NE | 244 km | |
| ENE | 241 km | |
| E | 149 km | |
| ESE | 84.1 km | |
| SE | 195 km | |
| SSE | 168 km | |
| S | 192 km | |
| SSW | 213 km | |
| SW | 237 km | |
| WSW | 244 km | |
| W | 244 km | |
| WNW | 244 km | |
| NW | 244 km | |
| NNW | 244 km |
Farthest named landmarks in view
179 named peaks, hills and headlands stand inside this viewshed. These are the farthest ones you could pick out on a clear day:
| Landmark | Visible distance | Direction | Elevation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mount Calibugon | 353 km | NNE · 24° | 1,478 m |
| Mount Gantung | 348 km | NNE · 23° | 1,813 m |
| Mount Landargun | 342 km | NNE · 23° | 1,725 m |
| Addison Peak | 331 km | NNE · 24° | 955 m |
| Mount Maliz | 321 km | NNE · 22° | 1,345 m |
| Spike Peak | 316 km | NNE · 21° | 905 m |
About Mount Kinabalu
Mount Kinabalu rises 4,095 metres in Sabah, Malaysia, on the island of Borneo, and is the third-highest island peak on Earth. The mountain is composed of glacier-carved granite, not a volcano: the rock formed as underground magma roughly 15 million years ago and thrust upward 1 million years ago. The peak and surroundings host exceptional biodiversity—5,000 to 6,000 plant species, 326 bird species, and over 100 mammalian species, including Rafflesia plants and orangutans. Climbing is compulsory with a guide; about 160 international permits issue daily.
Did you know?
- The Kinabalu Via Ferrata, built in 2007 near the summit at roughly 3,776 metres, is recognised as the highest via ferrata course in the world.
- Local Kadazan-Dusun tradition holds the mountain sacred as the resting place of ancestral spirits, and its name may derive from 'Aki Nabalu,' the revered place of the dead.
- Rafflesia arnoldii, the world's largest single flower, grows in the surrounding rainforest and can reach over a metre across, smelling of rotting flesh to attract pollinating flies.
- The two-day climb is steep despite being 'only' 4,095m; climbers call it one of the toughest hikes.
- Compulsory guide rule; ~160 permits issued daily; international permits sell out 8 months ahead.
Frequently asked questions
How far can you see from Mount Kinabalu?
On a clear day the terrain allows a line of sight of up to 355 km from Mount Kinabalu. The average visible distance across all 360 directions is 216 km. Atmospheric conditions (haze, humidity) usually reduce practical visibility below the terrain-limited maximum.
What is the farthest point visible from Mount Kinabalu?
The farthest terrain visible from Mount Kinabalu lies 355 km to the north-northeast, at an elevation of 1,478 m. Earth's curvature and atmospheric refraction are accounted for in this calculation.
How high is Mount Kinabalu?
The observation point at Mount Kinabalu sits at 4,056 m above sea level (Copernicus GLO-30 elevation model).
How is this visibility map calculated?
UpToWhere traces lines of sight in 360 directions from the observer using 30 m-resolution Copernicus terrain data, correcting for Earth curvature and standard atmospheric refraction. You can run the same analysis for any point on Earth with the free calculator.
Run your own analysis
Want to know what you can see from your house, a summit you're planning to climb, or a plot of land? UpToWhere computes the same 360° viewshed for any point on Earth in seconds — free.
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