Haba Village beneath Haba Snow Mountain

For convenience, Haba Snow Mountain (哈巴雪山) can be divided into four trekking realms.
North:      Alpine Lakes Region (高湖泊区)
West:       Jizhi Valley (鸡枝山谷)
East:         East Peak Group (东边山峰群)
South:      Tiger Leaping Gorge (虎跳峡) and
                  Haba Muru Sanctuary (哈巴雪山庇护所)

Black Lake

North: Alpine Lakes Region
The high country north of Haba Snow Mountain cradles several alpine lakes, all near the tree line or above. The crown jewel and by far the largest of these lakes is Black Lake (黑海). Situated at 4,100 meters, it offers magnificent views with the glacial Haba peak as backdrop. Four trekking routes are available: Lanhua Meadow (兰花坪), Yi Village (彝家村), Jianshan (尖山), and Base Camp Route (大本营). Combine two, for a scenic multiday loop. Mountain climbers overnight at Base Camp, primitive lodging at treeline, elevation 4,100 meters. After one ot two nights here, climbers make a pre-dawn start  for the 5,396-meter summit. Trekkers are welcome to stay at Base Camp. The Alpine Lakes Region can be accessed from Haba Village (哈巴村).

Jizhi Pass

JIzhi Valley camp

West: Jizhi Valley
Seldom visited by trekkers, the Jizhi Valley (鸡枝山谷) offers spectacular views of Haba Snow Mountain’s west flank and the impressively long south ridge. From the 4,330-meter Jizhi Pass (鸡枝垭口), just west of Haba’s summit, the valley extends a dozen kilometers south to the Chong River (冲江河) and beyond to Qiaotou Town (桥头镇), situated near the start of Tiger Leaping Gorge. Lisu and Yi ethnic minorities inhabit lower parts of the valley. There is one trekking path here—the Jizhi Pass Route (鸡枝垭口路线) affords a three-day trek from Haba Village to Qiaotou Town.

Sunrise on East Peak

East: East Peak Group
On the east side of Haba Snow Mountain lie several moderately high summits. The highest one is East Peak (东边山峰), reaching 4,500 meters. Trekking routes on the lower slopes connect Tiger Leaping Gorge with the rural villages of Ennu (恩努村) and Haba. The main Luke-Haba Route (栌克-哈巴路线) takes two days to complete, with an overnight stay at Ennu. The Haba-Benxi Route (哈巴-本习路线) also links the villages with the gorge.

Tiger Leaping Gorge

Bamboo Forest Path

South: Tiger Leaping Gorge
The famous Tiger Leaping Gorge, one of the deepest gorges on earth, covers the entire southeast side of the Haba massif. Inaccessible peaks form an impressive rampart, soaring 3,400 meters above the churning Jinsha (金沙江) or upper Yangtze River (长江). A two-day trek through the gorge provides a wonderous and awe-inspiring experience. The classic trekking path starts at Qiaotou Town and extends northeast for twenty-plus kilometers to the terminus at Tina’s Guest House (中峰国际青年旅舍). While some people traverse the gorge in a single day, most opt for a slower pace. You can spend a night at one of several guest houses, spaced conveniently along the trail. Shorter day hikes are available within the gorge, including the unforgettable descent to the Jinsha River. The short but rugged Bamboo Forest Path passes waterfalls and cascades while ascending a wild canyon with awesome views.

View of East Face from Miner's Pass

South: Haba Muru Sanctuary
Ringed on three sides by towering peaks, this hidden and seldom visited bowl-shaped valley sits beneath Haba’s savage east face. Dashengou Canyon (大深沟) drains Haba Muru Sanctuary into Tiger Leaping Gorge. Alpine passes provide access from Haba Village and Bendiwan Village (本地湾村). A one-day hike to Miner’s Pass (矿工垭口) allows a partial glimpse of the Sanctuary. Accessing the interior requires a strenuous trek of three or four days.