Pollen dispersal in mountainous terrain is influenced by multiple factors, resulting in complex distribution patterns. Understanding the vertical distribution of modern pollen and its relationship with vegetation and climate across different regions is crucial for the accurate interpretation and quantitative reconstruction of fossil pollen. This study focused on the typical vertical vegetation types of Hengshan Mountain. A total of 21 surface soil pollen samples were collected along an altitudinal gradient from the summit (1061 m) to the foot (202 m) of the mountain. Pollen analysis and statistical methods were applied, yielding the following key findings: (1) The modern surface soil pollen assemblage of Hengshan Mountain was dominated by tree and shrub taxa, including Pinus, Taxodiaceae, Fagaceae, Oleaceae, and Rosaceae, while the herbaceous taxa were primarily Poaceae, Artemisia, and Cyperaceae. (2) Within this region, Pinus and Artemisia were potentially over-represented, while Taxodiaceae, Rosaceae, Oleaceae, and Rhus demonstrate moderate representativeness. Fagaceae, Lauraceae, Magnolia, Acer, and Poaceae were underrepresented. (3) Surface soil pollen assemblages exhibited clear differences among the four vegetation types, with representative pollen taxa being consistent with surrounding plant communities. Notable differences were observed in the pollen ratios of evergreen broad-leaved tree pollen to deciduous broad-leaved tree pollen (E/D) and Pinus to Taxodiaceae (P/T) across the vegetation types. (4) The primary climatic factor affecting the distribution of surface soil pollen on Hengshan Mountain was the mean annual temperature (MAT). The strong correlation between P/T and MAT suggests that P/T could serve as a useful index for regional pollen-based paleoclimate reconstruction.