What to do when you’re in Almaty, Kazakhstan’s former capital? Go outside and enjoy the pure air of the lush Almaty mountains! If you love to do some hiking in Almaty, here’s an overview of the best and most popular Almaty hiking trails, with information on how to get there, trail descriptions, and what you should bring.
When I first arrived in Kazakhstan, I expected it to be a flat barren desert in its entirety. But when I traveled to the southwestern part of the country, I was surprised to see lush valleys and snowcapped mountains!
The Almaty region of Kazakhstan is located right at the foot of the Tian Shan mountains, making it a prime location for hiking enthusiasts.
There are plenty of interesting day hikes in the Almaty mountains during which you can reach beautiful valleys, gorges, and mountain peaks. Keep on reading as I’ll share with you the best hiking trips near Almaty.
Tip: See my Kazakhstan Travel Page for a complete overview of all my travel guides and blog posts about Kazakhstan!
From surreal desert landscapes to high mountain lakes and life in a yurt camp, this 10-day Best of Kazakhstan Kyrgyzstan journey takes you straight into the heart of Central Asia!
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Plan your trip to Almaty
Where to stay
- Best budget pick: Evergreen Hostel
- Best guesthouse choice: Guest House on Sadovaya
- Top high-end hotel: Kazzhol Park Hotel
Top experiences in and near Almaty
Plan your trip to Kazakhstan
Hiking in Almaty – the 5 best hiking trails in the Almaty mountains
There are plenty of stunning hiking trails near Almaty. Most of them can be done within a day. It’s also possible to camp along the trails if you want to spend the night in the mountains.
The starting point of these hikes can easily be reached by taking a bus from the city center of Almaty, which makes them the perfect escape from the urban environment. Here’s an overview of the 5 best hikes and treks near Almaty.
1) Hiking to Kok Zhailau, Three Brothers and Peak Kumbel
The trailhead of the Kok Zhailau – Three Brothers – Peak Kumbel trek is easily reached by taking bus number 12 in front of Dostyk Plaza or at the bus stop across from Hotel Kazakhstan.
This bus goes in the direction of the Medeu skating rink but you have to get off at the bus stop named ”Prosveshchenets”, about 2 kilometers before Medeu. This bus stop is a wooden kiosk and is right after crossing a small bridge.
The beginning of the trek is on the right side of the bus stop. You’ll see a paved road that goes towards the mountains. This road takes you across a small group of houses and you’ll have to follow it until the pavement disappears and the road turns to dirt.
There you’ll reach another small group of houses and you’ll see a sign between two fences that marks the beginning of the trail. Kok Zhailau is the first part of the trek. It means green pasture in Kazakh and is a large open meadow located at an altitude of 2251 meters.
Kok Zhailau which means green pasture in Kazakh
The first part of the trail is quite steep and it takes you through a beautiful apple orchard.
After an hour of strenuous hiking, the inclination of the trail becomes more moderate and less challenging. After another hour of walking, you’ll reach the beautiful alpine meadow of Kok Zhailau.
Kok Zhailau
If the weather is not too cloudy, you should have a fantastic view of Almaty from up here.
View over Almaty
It’s the ideal place for a break before continuing towards the “Three Brothers” peak. These green pastures are also home to a wide variety of plants and animal species and a great place to pitch your tent.
The ideal time to camp here is between May and September as the temperature at night rarely goes below 10ºC at this altitude.
Kok Zhailau can be the end destination of your hike or you can also continue towards the southeastern part along a well-marked path to a nearby peak called Three Brothers. Its name comes from the three huge rocks standing on top of a ridge overlooking the plateau underneath. This peak, standing at about 3400 meters, is visible from Kok Zhailau.
The Three Brothers on a cloudy day
The path to get to the Three Brothers is quite steep so it’s worth it to take a small break at Kok Zhailau before continuing the ascent.
The Three Brothers are located on the western flank of Peak Kumbel. If you still have some energy left, you can follow the trail from the Three Brothers eastward along the ridge to reach the summit of Peak Kumbel.
Once you’ve reached Peak Kumbel, you have 3 options to hike back.
The first and most obvious one is to take the same way you came from.
A second option is to walk back to Kok Zhailau and from there take the trail that goes west. This route is very interesting as it’s not so steep and offers some superb scenic views.
This path will bring you to the last bus stop in the Almarasan valley where you can take the bus back to Almaty. It’s also not too far from Tau Spa, which is the perfect place to relax after a long day of hiking.
A third option is to continue along the northeast ridge from Peak Kumbel. This trail will lead you to the dam above Medeu just underneath Peak Shymbulak, the ideal destination for skiing in Kazakhstan.
From there it’s easy to catch a bus back to Almaty. However, this path goes through an avalanche area so it can be highly dangerous to walk here during the winter. Find the GPS data for this hike on Wikiloc.
2) Hiking to Peak Furmanova and Peak Panorama
This is one of my favorite hikes near Almaty and is fun to walk all year round. You walk along a beautiful river carrying the melting snow in the spring and the beginning of the trail crosses through an orchard full of apples in the fall.
Beautiful flowers can be found all along the path during summer and this area is one of the best in the country for backcountry skiing in winter.
This trail is also a great one to become more acquainted with the Kazakh mountains as it isn’t really challenging. It is popular with foreigners as well as with locals as there are no entrance fees and the trailhead is located near the Medeu bus stop.
It’s a moderate hike (14km) without any technical difficulties and it will require a whole day for you to reach the summit of Mount Panorama and hike back to the base of the trail. It’s important to start this trek early if you want to be back before dusk.
To get there from Almaty, you’ll need to take bus 12 from Dostyk Plaza or from the bus stop in front of Hotel Kazakhstan and ride the bus until you arrive at the Medeu skating rink.
From there, you have to take the road that heads east below the parking lot.
This road runs parallel to a small water canal and after following it for about half an hour you will see a sign on your left leading to the Kim-Asar Waterfalls – I cover this hike a bit further in this article.
If you stick to the main road and continue following it, it will turn into a dirt road as it enters a forest of pine trees. The trailhead is located here at an altitude of 1800 meters.
It’s possible to park your car at the entrance of the path if you have your own vehicle.
From there the trail will climb gently and cross a river. Families can be found here having a picnic during summer. After you pass the river, the path will become a bit steeper as you walk through an apple orchard.
Continue climbing for a while and the path will open on a wide valley. I suggest you watch this video in which I walk along the same trail. Once you reach this valley, the trail will go towards a ridge on your left. From the top of this ridge, you will already be able to see peak Furmanova.
You can see Peak Furmanova on the left
Continuing in the direction of the peak, you will first come across an old Soviet ski lift and then a swing that was built on the ridge a few years ago. From this point on, the hills become steeper and steeper and will involve a bit of treacherous bouldering.
Peak Furmanova stands at an altitude of 3029 meters and from here you will have an amazing view of the city of Almaty.
If you continue following the path that goes up from there, you can reach the next peak where you’ll find a wooden bench that overlooks multiple valleys.
Find the GPS data for this hike on Wikiloc and a detailed description of the hike here.
3) Hiking to the Kim-Asar Gorge and the Butakovka waterfalls
Getting to the beginning of this trail is exactly the same as getting to the base of the Peak Furmanova hike.
To get there you will need to take bus 12 from Dostyk Plaza or from the bus stop in front of Hotel Kazakhstan, ride the bus until you arrive at Medeu skating rink.
From there take the road that heads east below the parking lot.
This road runs parallel to a small water canal and after following it for about half an hour you will see a sign on your left leading to the Kim-Asar gorge and the Butakovka waterfalls.
This is a wonderful day hike that will bring you along cascades and eventually to a 20-foot waterfall. It’s better to go there in the afternoon to admire the waterfall in the soft afternoon light.
The cascades are really dramatic in June during the peak of the spring melts. In late summer and early fall, the flow of water slows down to a gentle trickle.
Butakovskiy Waterfall – Photo by Megan Starr – Check out her Guide to the Butakovskiy Waterfall
4) Day trip to Big Almaty Lake
The Big Almaty Lake is truly the pearl of the Zailiskiy Alatau region. Located at an altitude of 2400 meters, this pristine lake is surrounded by some of the most gorgeous mountain peaks in the region.
Although the lake itself is a beautiful attraction, the whole area around it offers tons of climbing, hiking and skiing opportunities.
One thing to consider is that Big Almaty Lake is located just 10 kilometers away from the border with Kyrgyzstan so border guards have regular outposts around the lake. They might ask for your passport so bring it with you if you plan on doing some hiking around the lake.
Although the turquoise blue water looks very appealing in summer for a refreshing swim, know that you’re not allowed near the shore of the lake as this lake is one of the reservoirs that provide fresh drinking water for the citizens of Almaty.
Another situation to take into account is that the entrance fee to the park changes quite regularly. At some moments it is completely free to visit the park and at other times an entrance fee of 1000 tenge has to be paid.
Make sure to check out this forum to stay up to date with current changes in the policy concerning Big Almaty Lake.
Getting to the lake has gotten considerably easier in the last few years as the road leading to it is now completely paved and almost in perfect condition. It’s a popular weekend getaway for the locals, so if you like to enjoy the place by yourself, don’t go during weekends and holidays.
Update: As of 2024, taxis and vehicles are no longer allowed near the lake to preserve the nature. You’ll get dropped off at the entrance and have to hike about 5km uphill to reach the lake. If you see cars near the lake, know that it’s illegal so please don’t pay for private transport to the lake!
Find the GPS data for the Big Almaty Trail on Wikiloc.
How to get to Big Almaty lake from Almaty by public transportation
You can take bus 28 at the corner of Al-Farabi and Navoi streets, next to the President’s Park. The last stop is just beyond the entrance of the park.
From there you can hitchhike or walk the remaining 15km. It’s not a bad walk, you get to see the beautiful Alatau mountains but keep in mind that you’ll have to walk uphill on the main highway and that it might take you 2 to 3 hours before reaching the lake.
The best way is to go there by taxi. You can order a Yandex taxi online or install the app directly on your phone (Yandex is the Uber version of Kazakhstan).
A taxi one-way to Big Almaty Lake is around 5500 tenge, or $12. If you are using the Yandex app, you can also ask the driver to wait at the lake for an extra fee. This is usually 2500 tenge per hour.
The total costs of going to the lake and back by taxi with a couple of hours of waiting time is around 16000 tenge. If you want to split the costs, ask other travelers in your hostel or hotel if they want to join you.
5) Hiking along the Kolsai lakes and Kaindy lake
The Kolsai Lakes are a system of three lakes, nestled among the hills of the Northern Tian Shan Mountains, approximately 300km east of Almaty.
It’s not exactly near Almaty and it takes at least 6 hours to get there but if you have the time, you should definitely visit these lakes!
They are also called “The Pearl of the Northern Tian Shan” and we totally get why! The 3 lakes are so clear that, when the sun is out, the surrounding forests, hills and snowy mountain peaks are mirrored in the water.
What to bring on a hike to the Almaty mountains
When it comes to packing for a trek, it’s important to keep it as light as possible.
Remember that you have to carry everything yourself and if you have ever done a 20 km hike that included climbing and ascending steep hills, you’ll know that there’s a big difference between carrying 10kg and hiking with 15kg on your back!
Here is a list of what you need to bring with you when you want to go hiking for one day or a few days in the Zailiskiy Alatau mountains.
The essentials
- Hiking GPS: If you’re not good at reading topographic maps, a hiking GPS can come in very useful when the path isn’t clear. I recommend the Garmin Foretrex Waterproof Hiking GPS.
- First-aid kit:
Here’s what you definitely should pack in your first-aid kit:
- Antiseptic wipes to clean wounds
- Compresses and band-aids
- Compeed for blisters
- Painkillers – it’s not much fun hiking with a huge headache
- Anti-diarrheal medicine – it’s definitely not much fun hiking when you got diarrhea!
- Altitude sickness pills – you’ll often find yourself at altitudes higher than 3000m. If you’re sensitive to high altitudes, these pills could help you. Please seek medical advice first.
Here’s a great compact first-aid kit specially made for hiking, camping, trekking, and outdoor adventures.
- Biodegradable toilet paper
You’ll find normal toilet paper in nearly every corner shop in Kazakhstan. However, if you want to be eco-friendly, I suggest you bring biodegradable toilet paper on your trek.
- Emergency survival whistle
This one seems to confuse a lot of people, why would you go on a hike to the mountains with a whistle?? Why on earth would you need a whistle in the wilderness? To make some music if the batteries of your iPod are dead? To annoy your trekking companion? To scare wild animals away?
How small it might be, this whistle could save your life when you end up in an emergency situation – you’re lost or you fell and if for some reason you’re not able to use your emergency phone. You want to shout for help but your voice is lost in the wind.
Blowing in a whistle is less tiring and the noise can be heard from miles away across the mountains. Any shepherds or other hikers who might be in the area will be able to hear you and locate your position by following the noise.
An emergency survival whistle doesn’t have to cost much and definitely doesn’t take much space! I recommend this survival whistle.
- Tent
Having a good tent is very important! It has to shelter both you and your backpack from all the elements. Ideally, you have a lightweight tent as some can be pretty heavy.
- Hiking Boots
Be kind to your feet because you’ll need them to bring you across the mountains! Choose comfortable hiking shoes that protect your feet from rocks and debris on the trail. The shoes should have a good grip, keep your feet dry and be light enough to move easily.
- Daypack
If you are considering doing one of the small day hikes I mentioned in this guide without staying overnight and camping then there is no need for a huge backpack. You will need a daypack that is small yet sturdy enough to carry your food and snacks for the day.
- Backpack for trekking
If you want to spend a couple of days in the mountains, you should bring a proper trekking backpack. Having a good backpack to store all your stuff is, of course, a necessity. You need a light but strong bag that is capable of carrying a lot of weight but still sits comfortably on your back.
Ideally, the backpack is made out of waterproof material and/or comes with a waterproof cover. The zippers need to be big and strong and the material very durable.
When it comes to a good backpack, don’t try to save your budget and buy a cheap one. Remember that you’ll pay for the quality and the last thing you want is your backpack to break during the trek – what are you going to do with all of your stuff then?
- Flashlight
Spending the night in the mountains is such a beautiful experience! If it’s a clear night, you’ll see thousands of stars! But unless it’s full moon, you’ll need a small but powerful flashlight to find your way around in the darkness. I recommend you use a headlamp so you have your hands free to cook, read, or walk around.
Tip: Don’t go wandering too far from your tent at night. The terrain can be super treacherous in the dark.
Stocking up before your hike
One question that I often hear from people preparing for a hike is “ How much food should I pack?”. I always try to carry a bit more than what I actually need. I don’t overdo it but a rule of thumb is to always have a surplus of food to be prepared for any eventuality.
It’s fine to have candy bars and fast sugars during a trip but for long hikes, it’s important to have proteins and complex carbohydrates. A good idea is to bring nuts and dry raisins.
Although the food stores in Almaty are well stocked and offer the essentials such as nuts and dry fruits, they do lack dehydrated meals so it could be a good idea to buy those online before your trip to the backcountry.
When you are out in the mountains exhausting yourself with full days of climbing, you want a meal that will strengthen you, revitalize you and hopefully taste really good. For that I recommend camping-freeze-dried-food.
The advantage of this kind of food is that once the water is removed the meals become super light and you can carry large amounts of it.
Apart from being light, these meals retain most of their nutritional qualities, shape and amazing taste. One great example is the delicious bag of Mountain House Beef Stroganoff with noodles.
Apart from bringing the quantity of food needed for your trip, it’s very important to consider how much fuel you will need to cook it if you bring a camping stove.
Mountain safety and general tips for hiking in Central Asia
Trekking and hiking can be fun activities open to anyone who has the right physical condition, however, they come with inherent risks and even more so in the high mountains of Central Asia.
It’s important to be well prepared and follow some basic safety rules. One of the most important things to consider is to start your mountain adventure with the right equipment.
Since cell phone connection is not the best in the mountains around Almaty, it’s very important to let a friend know you will be leaving and for how long you will be gone.
It would be almost impossible to count on any meaningful help if you would get lost or injured during your trek if you are completely alone or without means of communication so always consider hiking with an experienced partner who knows the mountains.
The mild weather of the Zailiskiy Alatau mountains makes this region a prime hiking destination between the months of May and September.
The beginning of summer ( May and June ) is quite rainy in the mountains surrounding Almaty and the weather can change very quickly so it’s worth packing a raincoat, waterproof boots, some good waterproof gloves, and a hat.
Although the weather in Almaty might be beautiful and sunny, remember that this might not be the situation in the mountains. It’s better to check the weather forecast for the particular peak or area in which you will be hiking.
July is usually the perfect month to hike in Kazakhstan and the ski season is between October and March at Shymbulak.
The mountains around Almaty also present serious avalanche danger, especially between the months of April and June but the hikes I included in this guide won’t expose you to the risk these avalanches represent. Make sure to always stick to the path.
Different water-related illnesses can also be a problem in these mountains so it’s important to boil or filter all water prior to drinking it. A great solution can be a water bottle with an integrated filter or a UV steripen.
Mosquitoes are never really problems in these mountains but ticks are encountered in the lower valleys until August.
The Kim-Asar gorge hike I wrote about in this guide is a place where ticks are quite prevalent during summer so it’s important to take good precautions to prevent tick bites.
The risk of getting Lyme disease is bigger the longer a tick is attached, so a good habit is to do a regular tick check throughout the day.
Altitude sickness can be another common problem when hiking around Almaty as some of the mountain trails are quite high. Due to the limited health care available in Almaty, it’s very important to take the proper time to acclimatize.
The beautiful alpine meadow of Kok Zhailau is a great place to spend a few days before continuing towards higher peaks.
Getting medical care in Kazakhstan
If you need medical attention at any point either before your hike of after in Almaty, I highly recommend SOS international clinic.
They have a clinic located in Almaty staffed with expatriate and English speaking doctors and they provide medical assistance on a 24 hour basis, 365 days a year. Their address is:
INTERNATIONAL SOS CLINIC ALMATY
11 Luganskogo Street
Almaty 050051
Tel: +7 727 2581 911
Fax: + 7 (727) 2581 585
Email: ala.marketing@internationalsos.com
Their service will be more expensive than in other clinics in Almaty but having the assistance of well-formed English speaking doctors makes it totally worth the price.
If you need to buy bandages, gauze or other medical items for your hike to the mountains, you will be able to find well-stocked pharmacies all around the city.
Don’t forget to get good and reliable travel medical insurance!
I recommend HeyMondo, a Travel Medical Insurance company that provides coverage for hikes up to 4500 meters in Central Asia. Check out more details here!
Need Travel Insurance for Central Asia? I use and highly recommend HeyMondo Travel Insurance. As a reader of Journal of Nomads, you get a 5% discount off your insurance plan!
How to get to Almaty
Getting to Almaty is very easy. If you are coming from Bishkek (Kyrgyzstan), it is about a five-hour journey and extremely cheap and easy. Read my guide on how to get from Bishkek to Almaty.
Where to stay in Almaty
The best budget accommodation in Almaty
- Evergreen Hostel
Evergreen Hostel offers accommodation along with a shared lounge and kitchen, and free WiFi. The rooms all come with a shared bathroom and shower.
The staff behind the 24 hour front desk will be happy to assist you with any questions you may have during your stay here and organize your airport transfer. This is a great, clean and relaxed hostel that offers a reasonable nightly rate.
Check the rates and availability for the Evergreen Hostel here.
- Wanderlust Hostel
Located on a quiet street, the Wanderlust Hostel has a homely vibe with friendly staff.
Close walking distance to the city centre as well as the Almaty Central Mosque, the Wanderlust Hostel has its own terrace as well as free WiFi throughout. A sociable hostel with a tour desk and luggage storage for guests.
Check out the rates and availability for Wanderlust Hostel here.
- Art Hostel
The Art Hostel is not only affordable but is well organized and clean with friendly staff who make you feel comfortable and at home during your stay.
It has a shared lounge and kitchen and a great location for taking the metro or a bus. The kitchen is well equipped for guests and the lounge is welcoming and social for people to chat with other guests.
Check out rates and availability for the Art Hostel here.
The best mid-range Guesthouses and hotels in Almaty
Here are some great mid-range hotels in Almaty that I would recommend:
The best high-end hotels in almaty
If you’re looking for some luxury in a high-end hotel, I would recommend:
I hope this guide was useful and that you enjoy the pristine Tian Shan mountains near Almaty as much as I did!
I always love to hear from you so if you have any questions or recommendations yourself concerning hiking near Almaty, get in touch or let me know in the comments below!
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Hi, is Kok Zhailau trek safe for two ladies? And is it easy to do DIY, planning to just see some views and then will go back to the city afterwards. Thank you.
Hi Lyn, the Kok Zhailau is safe, also for women and the trail should be visible. Just check in advance the weather conditions before going out there. Have a great trip!!
Hey Cynthia! First of all, awesome information you are sharing here! I just wanted to ask you according to your experience, would you consider Kazachstan to be a good idea for trekking, for solo travelers with not too much trekking experience?
Hi Gus,
There are some nice trekking places in Kazakhstan, including the ones mentioned in this post in the Almaty mountains.
However, if you really want to go trekking, even when you don’t have much experience, I would suggest Kyrgyzstan. This country has a wide variety of easy and moderate day and multiple-day hikes! You can have a look at these hikes here. But of course, you can combine both countries, start in the Almaty mountains (once Kazakhstan is open for international travelers) and continue to Bishkek.
Hey Cynthia, thank you for your article! Do you have GPS data for these tours or would you know where to get them? Thank you and greetings from Berlin; Alex.
Hi Alex, you can find the GPS data for these treks on Wikiloc! And thanks for mentioning it, I’ll link the data in the post!