A multi-year project to create the world's most difficult trekking route is complete. The Snow Leopard Track spans 11,300km across seven countries, connecting Nepal to Kyrgyzstan through high-alpine terrain that requires technical climbing skills and 300-800 days to complete.
The route, documented by Great Goat Expeditions, pieces together shepherding paths, old trade routes, and cross-country alpine passages. It includes 46 glacial passes requiring mountaineering equipment and skills.
The stats are staggering: 740km of elevation gain and 740km of loss—more than eight times the vertical of Mount Everest climbed and descended. The core route covers 9,000km across Nepal, India, Pakistan, China, Tajikistan, Afghanistan, and Kyrgyzstan, with optional peripheral routes adding another 2,300km.
This isn't the Pacific Crest Trail. The route is completely unmarked and requires heavy reliance on GPX navigation data. The creator, who has ground-proofed over 70% of the route personally, describes "harrowing experiences" while mapping the Central Asian sections, including getting trapped in abandoned Pamiri valleys and detained in Kyrgyzstan.
Some sections are packraftable—meaning crossing glacial rivers with inflatable rafts—but that remains a future development. For now, trekkers need technical alpine skills, expedition logistics experience, and the ability to operate in remote regions where rescue is measured in days, not hours.
Can anyone actually do this? The route is designed for sectional hiking, not just multi-year thru-hikes. The 68 stages allow trekkers to complete portions that match their skill level and time available.
The Himalayan sections through Nepal and northern India offer the most accessible entry points for experienced trekkers. Classic routes like the Annapurna Circuit and Manaslu Circuit connect into the larger network. These sections require trekking permits but avoid the extreme technical challenges of the Central Asian glacial passes.
The Pamir and Tian Shan sections through Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, and western China represent the route's hardest sections—high-altitude, remote, and requiring self-sufficiency for weeks at a time. These areas also present visa and permit complications that can take months to arrange.
Why create such an impossible route? Long-distance hiking has exploded globally, with established trails like the PCT, Appalachian Trail, and Camino de Santiago seeing overcrowding. The Snow Leopard Track offers what seasoned adventurers seek: genuine remoteness, cultural immersion in Central Asian communities, and landscapes few Westerners ever witness.
The route's name references the endangered snow leopard, which inhabits these high-alpine regions. By promoting responsible trekking, the project aims to raise awareness about Central Asian mountain ecosystems and support local communities through trekking tourism.
Practical considerations for attempting any section: Visa requirements vary widely, with Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan being relatively accessible, while Afghanistan and western China present serious bureaucratic and safety challenges. The creator notes that Pakistan and some Indian sections remain partially mapped and should be treated as exploratory.
Seasons matter enormously. Summer (July-September) offers the only viable window for high passes, but even then, snowstorms and avalanches remain risks. Spring and fall provide better conditions for lower-elevation sections.
For armchair adventurers, the interactive map allows exploring the route virtually. For serious trekkers, the project represents a lifetime goal—or several lifetimes, given the 300-800 day estimate.
The best travel isn't about the destination—it's about what you learn along the way. The Snow Leopard Track takes that philosophy to an extreme: the journey quite literally defines the experience, with no single destination mattering more than the thousands of kilometers in between.
