峻峭 (jùn qiào) is an adjective describing terrain—especially mountains or cliffs—that is extremely steep, rugged, and precipitous. The character 峻 means 'lofty, stern, or severe', often evoking imposing height and sharpness; 峭 means 'steep, sheer, or abrupt', emphasizing verticality and lack of gentle slope. Together, they form a vivid compound that conveys both dramatic elevation and dangerous incline—not merely 'high' but 'unforgivingly steep'. It is commonly used in descriptive writing about natural landscapes, travel narratives, and classical or literary Chinese.

This term carries a slightly formal or literary register and is rarely used for man-made structures like stairs or buildings. It often appears in set phrases like 峻峭的山峰 (jùn qiào de shānfēng, 'precipitous mountain peaks') or 峻峭的悬崖 (jùn qiào de xuányá, 'sheer cliffs'). While it can imply danger or difficulty, it also conveys awe-inspiring grandeur—frequently paired with words suggesting majesty, solitude, or natural power.