The Aotai trail or the Aotai line (Chinese: 鳌太线) is a hiking trail in the Qinling mountain range in Shaanxi, China, known as one of China's deadliest trails.[4] The trail's route includes a 80 kilometres (50 mi) long mountain ridge between Mount Taibai (3,767 metres [12,359 ft]) and Mount Ao (鳌山, 3,476 metres [11,404 ft]), the two highest peaks in the range.[5] In total, hikers are required to cross 17 peaks above 3,000 metres (9,800 ft). Hiking on the Aotai trail was banned in 2018 due to both environmental and safety concerns.[5]
| Aotai Trail | |
|---|---|
 Daye Lake on Mount Taibai | |
 | |
| Length | 170 km (110 mi)[1][2] |
| Location | Mount Taibai Nature Reserve, Shaanxi, China |
| Highest point | Mount Taibai, 3,767 metres (12,359 ft)[3] |
History
editWhile mountaineers and pilgrims frequently visited Mount Taibai and Mount Ao, the first reported traverse of the connecting mountain ridge did not take place until 2001.[6] The first accident on the trail occurred in 2008, in which one hiker went missing. The trail became popular in the 2010s. According to a report by the Chinese Mountaineering Association, 14 died and 4 went missing on the Aotai trail between 2012 and 2018.[7] In 2014, a monument was erected to commemorate the lost hikers.[6]
In 2018, the Mount Taibai Nature Reserve banned entry to the Aotai trail, after concerns were raised about both the increasing number of emergencies and about human activities affecting the endemic Qinling panda and golden takin populations.[5] However, hikers have continued to visit the mountain ridge. From 2018 to 2024, at least 12 more died on the route.[2] In January 2026, 3 hikers died after illegally entering the trail in heavy fog and snow.[3]
References
edit- ↑ ""玩命"的户外徒步要不得" (in Chinese). Xinhuanet. 9 January 2026.
- 1 2 "18岁幸存者经历的"生死鳌太线"" (in Chinese). The Paper. 27 February 2025.
- 1 2 "'Strictly forbidden': China warns hikers off Aotai Line after 3 die on infamous trail". South China Morning Post. 11 January 2026.
- ↑ "Teen hiker survives on toothpaste, melted snow after getting lost in China's mountains for 10 days". The Straits Times. 28 February 2025.
- 1 2 3 "守护中华龙脊：为何全面禁止鳌太穿越？" (in Chinese). Mount Taibai National Forest Park. 3 November 2025.
- 1 2 ""鳌太穿越"拉锯战" (in Chinese). China Youth Daily. 16 July 2025.
- ↑ "6年14死4失踪，鳌太线何去何从？" (in Chinese). China Adventure Association. 20 August 2024.