Kok Zhailau
Көк Жайлау
Almaty’s most popular one-day hiking route, climbing from a valley south of the city to a high alpine meadow at about 2,500 meters, surrounded by snow-capped peaks.
Kok Zhailau means “green pasture.” It is a high alpine plateau between the Greater Almaty Gorge and the Lesser Almaty Gorge. The most common route starts from Prohodnoe Gorge (or Butakovka village) and climbs about 800 to 1,000 meters along forest trails. The one-way trip takes about 3 to 4 hours. Along the way, there is a side trail to Butakovka Waterfall. In summer, the meadows are full of wildflowers, and in autumn the silver birches turn yellow. The area is part of Ile-Alatau National Park, and a small entrance fee is required. Wear hiking boots, bring rain gear and be prepared for quickly changing weather.
Opening hours
Open all day (national park open during daytime)
Nearby sights
- Medeu
- Shymbulak
- Big Almaty Lake
- Kok Tobe
- Central State Museum of Kazakhstan
- Republic Square & Independence Monument
- Abai Kazakh National Opera and Ballet Theatre
- Almaty Botanical Garden