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Where to go in Almaty. Kok Zhailau

Continuing on where to hike near Almaty, especially if you are a beginner and enjoy a more relaxed experience.

One of the most popular hiking places is the Kok Zhailau plateau. There are several ways to climb there from the city; the most popular is the eastern path that starts at the Ak Bulak bus station (43.162129, 77.040891). But I wanted to try another start, near the Kazachka river (43.129373, 76.952791). The only way to reach that western point directly is by car; otherwise you can start from the checkpoint near another bus station (43.128900, 76.906309) and walk up from there. Another problem is that there is no mobile signal near that point. So if you decide to descend that way, you will most likely have to walk almost all the way down to the checkpoint.

So this post is about the hike that can be described as Kazachka — Kok Zhailau — Ak Bulak, as I descended to a different place from the one I started at.

The Ascent

If you start at the end of the public road, near the parking slots, you begin the ascent at 1700 m. The alternative is to start from the checkpoint, which is at 1316 m.
If you start at the end of the public road, near the parking slots, you begin the ascent at 1700 m. The alternative is to start from the checkpoint, which is at 1316 m.
The plateau is not the final destination if you have more time or are a more experienced hiker. You can climb on to Kumbel Peak at 3200 m.
The plateau is not the final destination if you have more time or are a more experienced hiker. You can climb on to Kumbel Peak at 3200 m.
This point is actually the start of another trip (which I took later) that also involves ascending from one place and descending to another.
This point is actually the start of another trip (which I took later) that also involves ascending from one place and descending to another.
During the ascent you pass through some nice meadows with gazebos, where you can rest with a good view over the mountains and fresh air not too far from the city.
During the ascent you pass through some nice meadows with gazebos, where you can rest with a good view over the mountains and fresh air not too far from the city.
Some mountain streams are shallow and run right across the road.
Some mountain streams are shallow and run right across the road.
First horses seen that day. There would be more later during the descent.
First horses seen that day. There would be more later during the descent.
The ways trees can grow on stone, or through it, are incredible.
The ways trees can grow on stone, or through it, are incredible.
There is an ongoing construction project for a mountain resort, so you probably won't recognise this route in a year.
There is an ongoing construction project for a mountain resort, so you probably won't recognise this route in a year.

Kok Zhailau Plateau

Batareika waterfall

The Descent

Part of the eastern trail to Kok Zhailau is rather flat and has amazing views of both the mountains and the city.
Part of the eastern trail to Kok Zhailau is rather flat and has amazing views of both the mountains and the city.
The television tower on Kok Tobe hill in the eastern part of the city.
The television tower on Kok Tobe hill in the eastern part of the city.
More horses.
More horses.
And this is the beginning of the trail if you start from the Ak Bulak bus station. It is mostly stairs and rather steep climbing.
And this is the beginning of the trail if you start from the Ak Bulak bus station. It is mostly stairs and rather steep climbing.
And some cows as a sign that you are back in civilization.
And some cows as a sign that you are back in civilization.

This post is part of my #100DaysToOffload challenge.

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