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.
Radial hike along the pictorial gorges of Kungey Alatau mountains. Well-marked trail leads up from the first to the second Kolsai lake...Read full description
Radial day glacier hike: having started from Almaty center, you will find yourself at a height of 3500m ASL within just few hours...Read full description
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...Read full description
Prokhodnoye gorge is the left tributary of the Big Almaty river. Route to Terra glade starts at the road leading to the Almarasan sanatorium...Read full description
The route starts near the forester's house located at the entrance to the gorge. It stands next to the road leading to the Shymbulak ski resort...Read full description
This route is perhaps the shortest one on our list. Nevertheless, the hike is intense and goes thru the beautiful landscapes of Butakovka gorge...Read full description
...AND ONE MORE PERFECT DAY HIKING OPTION: ALONG THE "JAPANESE TRAIL":