The inclined shaft lining cross-section is prone to severe issues such as shaft lining cracking and even structural failure due to geometric irregularity and mechanical complexity, posing significant engineering safety hazards. To address these safety concerns, this study introduces Optical Frequency Domain Reflectometry (OFDR) as a novel monitoring approach for inclined shaft linings. OFDR was implemented to measure strain distributions across both the inner and outer surfaces of a model shaft lining, with validation through comparative analysis against strain gauge measurements and numerical simulations. The findings indicate that: (1) OFDR provides accurate strain measurements consistent with conventional methods, and (2) has the ability to detect cracks that cannot be identified by the human eye. This study preliminarily achieved full-section monitoring of strain distribution on both the inner and outer edges of inclined shaft lining using OFDR technology, which holds significant implications for underground construction projects.