PEAK: All Biomes & How To Survive Them Guide (July 2025)

I'll never forget my first attempt at climbing in PEAK. There I was, fresh from a plane crash, thinking I'd just waltz up a mountain like it was a Sunday hike. Two hours later, I'd been poisoned by mysterious berries, frozen solid by alpine winds, and ultimately turned into a ghost watching my friends stumble through the same mistakes. But that's the beauty of PEAK – every failure teaches you something new about surviving its five deadly biomes.

If you've just crashed onto this mysterious island and you're wondering how to make it to the helicopter rescue at the summit, you're in the right place. I've spent countless hours scaling these procedurally generated peaks, and I'm here to share everything I've learned about conquering each biome. Whether you're playing solo or with up to three friends, this guide will help you survive the journey from beach to peak.

Quick Biome Overview

Biome	Main Hazards	Key Survival Tips	Difficulty
Shores	Urchins, poison plants, bridge collapses	Stock up on supplies, learn controls	Easy
Tropics	Rain, bees, poison, exploding bushes	Wait out rain, use vines wisely	Medium
Alpine	Freezing winds, ice surfaces, limited food	Hide behind terrain, bring lantern	Hard
Caldera	Rising lava, fire explosions, horizontal layout	Stay high, use chains	Very Hard
The Kiln	Enclosed volcano, fire surfaces, vertical climb	Save energy drinks, plan route	Extreme

PEAK: All Biomes & How To Survive Them

1. Shores Biome - Your Starting Point

The Shores biome is where every PEAK adventure begins. You'll wake up next to the plane wreckage on a sandy beach, with a guaranteed luggage container waiting to be looted. While this first biome is relatively forgiving, it's crucial to use this time to prepare for the challenges ahead.

Environmental Hazards:

• Sea Urchins: These spiky purple menaces dot the landscape and will poison you on contact
• Exploding Spores: Clusters that blast you backward and inflict heavy poison damage
• Collapsing Bridges: Listen for creaking sounds – they're your only warning
• Poisonous Plants: Purple-leaved vegetation that damages your stamina

Survival Strategies:

• Loot every luggage container you find – you'll need the supplies later
• Grab coconuts from palm trees and cook them at the campfire for easy food
• Pick up the lantern from the plane wreckage (you'll thank me in Alpine)
• Test food carefully using the guidebook to identify safe options
• Practice your climbing mechanics while the stakes are low
• Fill your inventory with healing items like antidotes and bandages

Pro Tips:

• The Shores campfire provides the best vantage point to plan your route through Tropics
• Don't waste rope items here – save them for trickier climbs ahead
• If playing with friends, designate one person to carry the Bing Bong plush for the achievement

2. Tropics Biome - The Jungle Maze

Welcome to my personal nightmare – the Tropics. This lush jungle biome transforms PEAK from a climbing game into a three-dimensional puzzle. With its maze-like layout, periodic rain showers, and aggressive wildlife, the Tropics will test your navigation skills and patience.

Environmental Hazards:

• Rain Showers: Makes all exterior surfaces extremely slippery
• Bee Hives: Swarms will chase you relentlessly if you get too close
• Thorned Vines: Deal damage and slow movement
• Exploding Bushes: Detonate on contact with no warning
• Poisonous Mushrooms: Use your guidebook to identify safe varieties

Survival Strategies:

• Study the terrain from the Shores campfire before entering
• Interior caves and overhangs stay dry during rain
• Thick vines can be walked on like tightropes
• Trees are climbable and often hide alternate routes
• Bring rope cannons in case vines break or paths dead-end
• Wait out rain for difficult climbs – patience saves stamina

Pro Tips:

• Bees can spawn in pairs on trees – check both sides before approaching
• The mythical item from the Shores statue can be a game-changer here
• Ticks count as "berries" for the Naturalist achievement
• Short wet climbs (under 3 seconds) are manageable even in rain

3. Alpine Biome - The Frozen Challenge

The Alpine biome is where PEAK stops playing nice. This frozen wasteland introduces the deadly Frostbite mechanic, with periodic blizzards that can freeze you solid if you're not careful. Food becomes scarce, and every mistake costs precious stamina.

Environmental Hazards:

• Freezing Blizzards: Regular winds that inflict Frostbite status
• Ice Crystal Surfaces: Blue crystalline patches that freeze on contact
• Slippery Terrain: Ice makes climbing more stamina-intensive
• Limited Food Sources: Only Winterberries grow naturally here
• No Vines or Bridges: Pure climbing challenges

Survival Strategies:

• ONLY terrain blocks wind – trees and objects won't protect you
• Find crevices and overhangs to shelter during blizzards
• The lantern from Shores provides warmth when activated
• Heat Packs instantly remove Frostbite buildup
• Winterberries on bushes restore both hunger and warmth
• Look for capybaras in hot springs – they provide safety and berries

Pro Tips:

• Yellow Winterberries on capybara heads give full stat restoration
• Play a bugle near capybaras for the Serenading achievement
• Save energy drinks for the final climbing stretches
• Ice spikes often hide luggage on their tips
• The terrain here is more vertical than previous biomes

4. Caldera Biome - The Lava Fields

Caldera completely changes the game's formula. Instead of climbing vertically, you'll navigate horizontally across a field of volcanic islands while lava rises and falls in deadly cycles. This biome demands perfect timing and quick decision-making.

Environmental Hazards:

• Rising/Falling Lava: Kills almost instantly on contact
• Fire Explosions: Random AoE blasts that burn stamina
• Horizontal Layout: Jumping and chain-swinging replace climbing
• Scarce Luggage: Fewer supply opportunities
• Fire Surfaces: Continuous damage while in contact

Survival Strategies:

• Stay on high ground – only descend when lava is low
• Chains are your lifeline for crossing gaps
• Jump onto chains from height to maintain momentum
• Fire damage to stamina recovers over time
• Medkits and Cure-Alls remove fire effects instantly
• Plan your route across the islands before moving

Pro Tips:

• Eggs for the Cooking achievement spawn in bird nests here
• The black brick structure at the end leads to The Kiln
• Save at least one energy drink for the final level
• Fire explosions have visual warnings – watch for ground effects
• Lollipops or Bugle of Friendship can help with tricky jumps

5. The Kiln - The Final Test

The Kiln is PEAK's ultimate challenge – a claustrophobic climb through the volcano's interior. This fully enclosed level combines the worst aspects of previous biomes: limited visibility, fire hazards, and exhausting vertical segments that will drain your stamina reserves.

Environmental Hazards:

• Enclosed Space: No outside reference points for navigation
• Lava Flows: Multiple streams to avoid while climbing
• Fire Surfaces: Glowing rocks that burn on contact
• Magma Rocks: Especially prevalent in the second half
• Vertical Marathon: The longest continuous climb in the game

Survival Strategies:

• The first half has hidden rest spots – look carefully
• Save energy drinks for the second half's brutal climb
• Anti-rope can help bypass impossible sections
• Lollipops provide crucial stamina for final pushes
• Work together to find routes in the confusing interior
• Don't panic – there's always a path forward

Pro Tips:

• No natural food spawns here – bring supplies from Caldera
• The helicopter awaits at the summit after The Kiln
• Mythical items like Bugle of Friendship shine here
• Look for small ledges and outcroppings to rest
• The halfway point has a distinctive lava rock formation

Universal Survival Tips

Stamina Management

Your stamina bar is everything in PEAK. Here's what affects it:

• Weight: Carrying too many items (especially with a backpack)
• Damage: Red portion from injuries
• Poison: Purple portion from toxins
• Hunger: Yellow portion from starvation
• Environmental: Frost, fire, and other status effects

Essential Items to Prioritize

1. Rope/Chain/Anti-Rope: For impossible climbs
2. Energy Drinks/Lollipops: Stamina boosts when you need them most
3. Antidotes: Critical for Shores and Tropics
4. Heat Packs/Lantern: Survival tools for Alpine
5. Medkits: Universal healing for emergencies

Teamwork Strategies

• Extend hands (right-click) to pull teammates up ledges
• Share items based on who needs them most
• Ghosts can scout ahead through walls
• Revive at Ancient Statues between biomes
• Communicate constantly about hazards and routes

Daily Map Changes

Remember, PEAK's islands reset every 24 hours at approximately noon Chicago time. If you're struggling with today's layout, tomorrow brings a completely new configuration. Use failed runs to learn biome mechanics rather than specific routes.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

1. Hoarding Items: Share supplies with teammates who need them
2. Ignoring Environmental Cues: Bridge creaks, ground effects, and weather patterns matter
3. Rushing Through Biomes: Patience prevents deadly falls
4. Wasting Rope Early: Save climbing aids for Alpine and The Kiln
5. Eating Unknown Foods: Always check your guidebook first
6. Fighting the Rain: Just wait it out in shelter
7. Exploring During Blizzards: Hide behind terrain until winds pass
8. Touching Lava "Briefly": It kills faster than you think
9. Skipping Campfire Marshmallows: Free full healing for everyone
10. Going Solo in The Kiln: This final level demands teamwork

Advanced Strategies

Speedrunning Tips

• Memorize safe food types to eat without checking
• Use diagonal climbing to cover more ground
• Chain momentum carries you across large gaps
• Ghosts can guide optimal routes
• Skip non-essential luggage after Shores

Achievement Hunting

• Survivalist: Never lose consciousness (bring that lantern!)
• Bing Bong: Carry the plush from start to helicopter
• Naturalist: Eat only natural foods (fruits, mushrooms, eggs)
• Bookworm: Collect journal pages at each campfire
• Speed Climbing: Complete in under one hour

Difficulty Modifications

PEAK offers multiple difficulty settings that affect stamina drain and environmental hazards. Start on Tenderfoot if you're new, but know that higher difficulties offer better cosmetic rewards and bragging rights.

Conclusion

PEAK is ultimately a game about perseverance. Each biome teaches you something new, whether it's patience during Tropics rain, preparation for Alpine's freezing winds, or teamwork in The Kiln's chaotic interior. The procedurally generated islands ensure that every climb feels fresh, even after dozens of attempts.

My advice? Embrace the failures. That time you got chased by bees into an exploding bush? Learning experience. When your friend dropped the only rope launcher into lava? Character building. The beauty of PEAK lies not in reaching the summit on your first try, but in the chaotic journey you share with friends along the way.

So grab your climbing gear, stock up on questionable berries, and remember – the mountain resets tomorrow, but the memories of your spectacular failures last forever. See you at the peak!

Frequently Asked Questions

How many biomes are in PEAK?

There are 5 biomes total in PEAK: Shores, Tropics, Alpine, Caldera, and The Kiln. Each offers unique challenges and requires different survival strategies.

Do PEAK maps change?

Yes! The island layout resets every 24 hours, typically around noon Chicago time. While biome order stays the same, the terrain configuration changes completely.

What kills you fastest in PEAK?

Lava in the Caldera and The Kiln biomes kills almost instantly. Other quick deaths include falling from great heights, explosive bush blasts, and getting caught in Alpine blizzards without shelter.

Can you play PEAK solo?

Absolutely! PEAK supports 1-4 players. Solo mode is significantly harder but completely doable with careful planning and resource management.

How long does it take to complete PEAK?

A typical run takes 30-90 minutes depending on your experience level, team coordination, and how many times you fall. Speedrunners can finish in under an hour.

What's the best item in PEAK?

The Bugle of Friendship (grants temporary infinite stamina to nearby players) and Big Lollipop are game-changers. The Lantern is essential for Alpine survival.

How do you revive dead teammates?

Dead players become ghosts and can only be revived at Ancient Statues found at the end of each biome. This sacrifices the mythical item reward.

Which biome is the hardest?

Most players struggle with The Kiln due to its enclosed nature, limited visibility, and marathon climbing segments. However, the Tropics' maze-like layout causes many early failures.

Can you save progress in PEAK?

Only in co-op mode with activated checkpoints. Solo players must complete the entire mountain in one run.

What happens when you beat PEAK?

Reaching the summit triggers a helicopter rescue. You'll unlock cosmetics and achievements based on your performance, encouraging multiple playthroughs.