10 most popular hikes around Almaty
This guide contains descriptions of the best hiking trails around Almaty. The location of the city, its proximity to the Tien Shan mountains provides great opportunities to reach various natural spots in one day. We have selected the safest and most beautiful routes, which will help you exploring the variety of natural landscapes, from glaciers to deserts. We have also considered the logistics - so that all start/finish points could be reached by public transport, taxi or car (which can be rented). Most of the described trails are well equipped and marked. Nevertheless, please keep in mind season and weather ehwn plan your trip - choose appropriate clothes, boots and gear.
easy ↔ 14.3km 4-6 hours ↑ 780m ↓ 1000m Proximity to the city, stunning mountain views and wildlife makes this hike very popular among Almaty citizens...Read full description |
moderate ↔ 14.7km 5-6 hours ↑ 450m ↓ 470m Radial hike along the pictorial gorges of Kungey Alatau mountains. Well-marked trail leads up from the first to the second Kolsai lake, it winds along the spruce forest and follows the river...Read full description |
moderate ↔ 17,4km 6 hours ↑ 1300m ↓ 1300m Radial day glacier hike: having started from Almaty center, you will find yourself at a height of 3500m above sea level within just few hours, surrounded by majestic peaks of the Zailiysky Alatau mountains...Read full description |
easy ↔ 16km 5-6 hours ↑ 430m ↓ 430m There are 8 kilometers in total from Batan (upper reaches of Turgen) to the waterfall, the path is wide and very comfortable. All you need is to enjoy the amazing wild nature...Read full description |
moderate ↔ 16km 7-9 hours ↑ 1360m ↓ 1360m Furmanovka (Furmanov) is a trekking peak with the height of 3037 meters. Its top in the form of a regular triangle crowns the Kim-Asar gorge. The route is very accessible and popular among tourists...Read full description |
Trek to Terra glade from Prokhodnoye gorge easy ↔ 12km 3-4 hours ↑ 800m ↓ 800m Prokhodnoye gorge is the left tributary of the Big Almaty river. This beautiful gorge provides great opportunities to explore different geographical zones. The route to Terra glade starts at the road leading to the Almarasan sanatorium...Read full description |
moderate ↔ 13km 4-6 hours ↑ 400m ↓ 400m The highest route on our list. The trail starts at Talgar Pass (3200m), which you can reach with a cable car from Medeo...Read full description |
easy ↔ 7,2km 3,5 - 5 hours ↑ 650m ↓ 650m The route starts near the forester's house located at the entrance to the gorge. It stands next to the road leading from the Medeo skating rink to the Shymbulak ski resort...Read full description |
Trek to Bukreyev peak over Lesnoy pass moderate ↔ 16km 6-8 hours ↑ 1200m ↓ 1200m It makes sense to reach the top of Bukreyev peak from the Butakovka Gorge. The route starts on the parking at the end of the paved road....Read full description |
easy ↔ 5km 2.5 - 3 hours ↑ 370m ↓ 370m This route is perhaps the shortest one on our list. Nevertheless, the hike is intense and goes thru the beautiful landscapes of Butakovka gorge. The trail leads to a rocky waterfall 30 meters high...Read full description |
...AND ANOTHER GREAT DAY HIKE OPTION - JAPANESE TRAIL IN BIG ALMATY GORGE!