Last Updated on September 30, 2023
Stunning landscapes can be enjoyed from the top of a desert sand dune, and many recreational activities such as sand boarding and dune bashing can be enjoyed on these peaks.
But where can you find the most extraordinary dunes, those as tall as mountains?
There are plenty of unique, spectacular deserts all over the globe.
Sand dunes are the natural result of decades, centuries, and even millennia of windblown sand and the harshest weather conditions.
They are normally found in arid desert regions or, sometimes, they can be leftovers from ancient lakes and ocean beds, or from volcanic activity.
Dunes are not all the same, in fact there are many different types and shapes of sand dunes, and the so-called “star” dunes are usually the tallest and largest in size.
The biggest dunes on the planet are found in South America, specifically in Argentina and Peru, the tallest dune in the world is Duna Federico Kirbus in Argentina.
Unsurprisingly, you’ll also find very tall peaks in the deserts of Africa and the Middle East, from Namibia to Iran.
Going further into continental Asia, huge mountains of sands are found in the desert between China and Mongolia.
Even Europe, which does not have any true deserts, is home to some impressive sand hills. Let’s find out which are the largest dunes around the world:
World’s Tallest Sand Dunes
Duna Federico Kirbus – Catamarca, Argentina
The Duna Federico Kirbus is the highest dune in the world, measuring a whopping 1234 meters in height (2845 above sea level).
This massive dune was named after Argentinian journalist and researcher Federico B. Kirbus who discovered its real height.
The dune is part of the Bolsón de Fiambalá, a semicircular sand valley filled with giant sand hills so huge they look like mountains.
Height: 1234 meters / 4048 feet
Location
Duna Federico Kirbus is located in the province of Catamarca, Argentina, it is situated in the Fiambalá Valley, about 25 km from the city of Fiambalá.
Read also: Sand Dune Surfing in Argentina
Duna Grande – Nazca, Peru
Duna Grande, sometimes also called Cerro Marcha, is the tallest dune of Peru, a country filled with vast sand dune fields, and the second-tallest dune in the world, after Duna Federico Kirbus.
Duna Grande is located in Vista Alegre, in the province of Nazca in the Ica region.
Height: 924 meters / 3031 feet
Location
Duna Grande / Cerro Marcha is located in the desert of southern Peru, near the city of Nazca, around 40 Km from the city center.
Read also: Sand Dune Surfing in Peru
Cerro Blanco – Nazca, Peru
Cerro Blanco is sometimes considered the tallest dune in the world, but this is disputed as it has a rocky base and a sand slope that is shorter than some other dunes.
Cerro Blanco has an altitude of 2080 meters above sea level, but its rocky base is approximately 1300 meters, and its sand slope is “only” 780 meters.
This means that the sand dune itself is shorter than both its neighbor Duna Grande and Duna Federico Kirbus in Argentina.
Cerro Blanco is one of the most popular sandboarding destinations in Peru, and also one of the most challenging, requiring a 3-hour hike to reach the top before sliding on a very steep slope.
Height: 780 meters / 2559 feet
Location
Cerro Blanco is located in the desert of southern Peru, around 23 km distance from Nazca.
Read also: Sand Dune Surfing in Nazca
Badain Jaran Dunes – Gobi Desert, China
The Badain Jaran desert in Inner Mongolia, China has the largest stationary dunes on Earth.
These dunes are located in the Alxa League of the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region of China and cover an area of approximately 49,000 square kilometers (18,919 square miles).
The Wushumu dune is the tallest peak with over 500 meters in height.
Height: 528 meters / 1732 feet
Location
Badain Jaran Dunes are located in the Gobi Desert, Inner Mongolia, China.
The nearest urban settlement is Badain Jaran Town in Alxa Right Banner which is around 75 Km away, or one hour drive.
Rig-e Yalan Dune – Lut Desert, Iran
The Rig-e Yalan dunes are the highest sand dune in the Lut desert in Iran.
The sand hill area expands for 150 km north to south, 70 km east to west. The Lut desert also happens to be the hottest desert on Earth, and one of the smallest true deserts.
Height: 480 meters / 1574 feet
Location
Rig-e Yalan Dune is located in the Lut Desert (Dasht-e Lut), Kerman province, Iran, the closest city is Shahdad which is around 120 Km away.
Read also: Sand Dune Surfing in Iran
Dune 7 – Namib Desert, Namibia
Dune 7 is the tallest dune in Namibia, at 383 meters (1,256 feet) high. It is located in the Namib Desert, about 13 kilometers (8 miles) from the town of Walvis Bay. The dune is named Dune 7 because it is the seventh dune that one encounters after crossing the Tsauchab River.
Dune 7 is located in Walvis Bay and a popular dune climbing spot. The climb to the top of the dune is challenging, but the views from the top are worth it. Visitors can also take a guided tour of the dune or rent a 4×4 vehicle to drive to the top.
Height: 383 meters / 1256 feet
Location
Dune 7 is located in the Namib Desert, Namibia, it is situated in the Sossusvlei area, around 30 km from Swakopmund. Its is reachable in about 4 hours by car from the capital Windhoek.
Big Daddy – Sossuvlei, Namibia
Big Daddy is another very tall dune in the Namib Desert, located in the Sossusvlei area. It is the second tallest dune in the area, after Dune 7, and is a popular destination for hikers and climbers.
The dune is approximately 325 meters tall and has a steep slope, making it a challenging climb. However, the views from the top are worth the effort.
From the top of Big Daddy, you can see the entire Sossusvlei area, including Deadvlei, a white clay pan surrounded by red dunes.
Height: 325 meters / 1066 feet
Location
Big Daddy is located in Sossusvlei, in the Namib-Naukluft National Park, it is around 76 Km from the city of Sesriem.
Read also: Sand Dune Surfing in Namibia
Tallest Sand Dunes in North America
Star Dune – Great Sand Dunes National Park, Colorado
The Star Dune at the Great Sand Dunes National park in Colorado is the tallest dune in North America, measuring about 230 m from base to top.
The dunes are also a popular sandboarding destination in Colorado.
A “star” dune is a type of dune with a morphological structure similar to that of a star or pyramid, and they are usually the tallest and steepest types of dunes.
The impressive Great Sand Dunes were formed by the erosion of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains and the deposit of sand by the nearby Rio Grande.
Height: 230 meters / 750 feet
Location
Star Dune is located in the Great Sand Dunes National Park, in the state of Colorado, USA.
The dune is situated around 30 miles (50 km) east of the city of Alamosa. The closest town is Mosca, which is around 15 miles away.
Read also: Sand dunes in Colorado
Kelso Dunes – Mojave Desert, California
The Kelso Dunes are located in the Mojave Desert of California and are known for their singing sands caused by the movement of sand particles.
These dunes are also a popular spot for hiking and sandboarding.
Height: 183 meters / 600 feet
Location
Kelso Dunes is located in the Mojave Desert, California, USA. The closest town is Baker, which is around 50 miles / 80 km away.
Read also: Sand surfing at Kelso Dunes
Eureka Dunes – Death Valley National Park, California
The Eureka Dunes are the tallest dunes in California, located in the remote Eureka Valley, an enclosed basin at 3000 foot elevation located northwest of Death Valley.
The Eureka Dunes are amongst the tallest dunes in the United States.
Height: 146 meters / 480 feet
Location
Eureka Dunes is located in the Death Valley National Park, California, USA. The closest city is Ridgecrest, which is around 140 miles (225 km) away.
Read also: Sand surfing in California’s Mojave Desert
Tallest Sand Dunes in Europe
Dune du Pilat – La Teste-de-Buch, France
The highest dune of Europe is located the Dune du Pilat, located in France. It extends for over 600 meters in the French department of Gironde, near the Arcachon basin.
The white sand hills are more than 120 meters high and with their 60 million cubic meters of sand accumulated and shaped by the wind they have incorporated houses, roads and even a forest.
The natural landscape of the immense quartz dune is truly surprising for the shape, color and light it gives between the beach and the forest.
Dune du Pilat is constantly changing and has a color that varies from white to pink gold, enhanced by the blue of the sea and the luxuriant forest that surround it.
Height: 120 meters / 393 feet
Location
Dune du Pilat is located in La Teste-de-Buch, in the Aquitaine region of France. It is situated around 10 km from the city of Arcachon.
Read also: Sandboarding at Dune du Pilat
Tallest Sand Dunes in Australia
Mount Tempest – Moreton Island, Queensland
Mount Tempest in Moreton Island is the largest stationary dune in the world, with an elevation of around 380 meters (1,247 feet).
This peak is different from shifting sand dunes because it does not move nor change its shape and is completely covered in vegetation, much like a mountain. It is also one of the tallest coastal dunes in the world.
Height: 380 meters / 1247 feet
Location
Mount Tempest is located on Moreton Island, Queensland, Australia. The closest town is Bulwer which is around 20 Km away.
Big Red – Simpson Desert, Queensland
The Big Red is a modestly tall sand dune located in Queensland, located in the Simpson Desert near the town of Birdsville.
Named after its characteristic sand coloration, the Big Red is one of the most famous dunes in Australia and attracts many tourists to the Outback.
Height: 40 meters / 131 feet
Location
Big Red is located in Simpson Desert, Queensland, Australia. The closest town is Birdsville which is around 35 Km away.
Read Also: What are sand dunes and how are they formed?
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