Day Hiking Tour to Kim Asar Gorge from Almaty

A half-day hike through Kim Asar Gorge — the closest mountain gorge to Almaty’s Medeo area, following the Kimasar River through pine and birch forests to the famous mountain swings at 2,500 m with panoramic views over the city.

What to expect on the Kim Asar Gorge hike from Almaty

The Kim Asar Gorge hike from Almaty starts where the city ends and the mountains begin — literally steps from the Medeo skating rink. The gorge branches east off the Small Almaty valley and climbs steadily through birch groves and Tien Shan spruce forest along the Kimasar River, a right tributary of the Malaya Almatinka. It’s the second-longest gorge in the Small Almaty valley at nearly 6 km, and the name itself sets the tone: “Kim Asar” translates from Kazakh roughly as “whoever overcomes, crosses” — a fair description of the steady uphill that awaits.

For most visitors, the destination is the mountain swings installed on the ridge at approximately 2,500 m elevation. These simple rope-and-metal structures became an Instagram phenomenon — photographed from the right angle, you appear to be swinging over a thousand-meter drop with the entire city of Almaty spread out below. The photos are spectacular. The reality is that you’re on a safe ridge with solid ground underneath you. But the views are genuinely extraordinary: the city, the steppe beyond it, and the snow-capped peaks of the Zailiysky Alatau all visible at once.

This is a beginner-to-intermediate hike. The trail is well-marked, the gradient is mild for the Almaty mountains, and you’re never far from other hikers — especially on weekends, when it becomes one of the most popular trails in the city. It’s an ideal first mountain experience for visitors who want to test the altitude and see the landscape without committing to a full-day expedition.

Detailed Itinerary

Pickup and drive to Medeo (30 minutes)

We pick you up from your accommodation in Almaty and drive south toward the mountains. The road climbs through Almaty’s upper neighborhoods toward the Medeo sports complex (~1,690 m), the famous Soviet-era high-altitude skating rink. Rather than taking bus 12 and walking the approach on tired legs, we drive directly to the Kim Asar Gorge entrance — a barrier east of Medeo — saving you the 20-minute road walk and preserving energy for the actual hike.

Lower gorge: road and river section (45–60 minutes)

From the barrier, the trail begins on a paved road that quickly turns to dirt as you pass a cluster of buildings and enter the gorge proper. The Kimasar River (also called Komissarovka) runs alongside the path, and the forest closes in — birch trees first, then Tien Shan spruce. About 3 km from the Medeo parking lot, you’ll reach a spring with clean drinking water — the last reliable water source on the route, so fill your bottles here.

Two concrete bridges cross the gorge in its lower section. After the second bridge, watch for a signed fork in the trail. The left path follows the river deeper into the gorge (toward the Komissarovsky Pass, which connects to Butakovka Gorge). The right fork climbs the ridge — this is our route toward the swings and the viewpoints above.

Note on the lower gorge: In early summer (May–June), avalanche cones from winter sometimes remain in the inner valley. Two small private ski slopes with T-bar lifts operate in the gorge during winter — you may see their infrastructure along the way.

Ridge ascent to the mountain swings (60–90 minutes)

Once on the ridge, the trail is well-trodden and continuous. The gradient becomes steeper but never technical — this is hiking, not scrambling. As you gain elevation, the forest thins and views open up dramatically. Looking north, you begin to see the full panorama of Almaty below, and on clear days the Kapchagai Reservoir glints on the horizon beyond the city.

At approximately 2,500 m, you reach the famous mountain swings — metal frames with rope seats installed on a ridge clearing. The origin of these swings is somewhat mysterious; they appeared a few years ago and became an instant social media destination. On weekends, expect a queue for photos. On weekdays, you may have them to yourself.

This is our turnaround point for the standard Kim Asar Gorge hike. We stop here for a rest, snacks, photos, and tea while you take in the views.

Views from the swings: Furmanov Peak (3,053 m) is visible directly above to the south — unmistakable as the rocky pyramid dominating the head of the gorge. To the east, Butakovka Gorge. Looking south along the ridge, the snow line and the high peaks of the Zailiysky Alatau. Behind you, the city of Almaty laid out in its entirety, from the mountains to the steppe.

Descent and return to Almaty (2–2.5 hours)

We descend via the same route or take an alternative path through the forest and past the spring for variety. The descent is faster but requires attention on loose stones in some sections. Back at the barrier, we drive you to your accommodation in Almaty.

Kim Asar Gorge: Almaty’s most accessible mountain escape

Kim Asar is not wilderness. It’s the closest real mountain gorge to central Almaty — you can take city bus 12 to Medeo and be on the trail within minutes. On a sunny weekend, the path to the swings is busy with local families, runners, and Instagram photographers. This accessibility is both its greatest strength and its limitation: you won’t find solitude here, but you will find an easy entry into the Almaty mountain landscape that requires no prior hiking experience.

The gorge sits within the Ile-Alatau National Park and occupies the western slope of the Small Almaty (Maloalmatinsky) valley. The Kimasar River that carved it is a right tributary of the Malaya Almatinka — the same river that flows through the heart of Almaty. The gorge runs roughly 6 km from its mouth near Medeo to the high ridges that connect to Furmanov Peak and beyond.

A note on names

You’ll see this gorge spelled “Kim Asar,” “Kimasar,” “Kim-Asar,” and “Kim-Assar” — all refer to the same place. The Kazakh name means roughly “whoever overcomes, crosses,” which likely refers to the pass at the gorge’s head connecting the Small Almaty and Butakovka valleys.

The river is sometimes called “Komissarovka” (Russian) and the pass at the top “Komissarovsky Pass” — Soviet-era names that persist alongside the Kazakh originals. Furmanov Peak, which towers over the gorge, is named after Dmitry Furmanov (1891–1926), a Russian Civil War commissar and writer best known for his novel “Chapayev.” He spent time in Almaty (then Verny) and wrote his novel “Mutiny” about events there in 1917. A major Almaty street also carries his name.

Beyond the swings: what continues up the ridge

The mountain swings are the natural stopping point for a half-day hike, but the ridge above them continues to increasingly impressive destinations. We offer these as separate tours:

Furmanov Peak (3,053 m) — From the swings, the trail steepens significantly through the Enthusiasts’ Meadow (Polyana Entuziastov) to the rocky summit. Add 1.5–2 hours each way beyond the swings. The summit offers 360° views including Talgar Peak (5,017 m), the Left Talgar valley, and the full city panorama. The final 100 m involves steep scrambling over rocks. See our Furmanov Peak & Panorama tour →

Panorama Peak (3,260 m) — Another 20–40 minutes beyond Furmanov, with a wooden bench overlooking multiple valleys. The name is earned.

Four Peaks traverse — The full-day ridge walk hitting Furmanov (3,053 m), Panorama (3,260 m), Bashuta (3,355 m), and Shymbulak (3,460 m) before descending via cable car. This is a serious 15 km hike with ~2,000 m elevation gain, rated difficult.

Komissarovsky Pass — Instead of climbing the ridge, the trail continuing up the gorge along the river leads to this pass connecting Kim Asar to Butakovka Gorge. A quieter, less crowded alternative.

Wildlife and seasonal notes

Lonely Planet specifically mentions Kim Asar Gorge as one of the best birding locations near Almaty. The gorge is part of the Ile-Alatau National Park, and species spotted here include booted and golden eagles, Eurasian hobbies (a type of falcon), bearded vultures, and various kites, tits, and warblers. April to June is peak birding season. With luck, you might even spot the endangered Himalayan snowcock at higher elevations.

Other wildlife includes hares, foxes, and the occasional marmot at higher elevations. Bears are not a concern in this gorge.

Spring (April–June): Wildflowers and green forest, excellent birding, but tick season. Check clothing and skin regularly.

Summer (July–August): Warm and dry, most popular season, weekends are very crowded. Start early to beat both the heat and the crowds.

Autumn (September–October): Stunning foliage, cooler temperatures, fewer people. Arguably the best season.

Winter (November–March): Snow transforms the gorge into a quiet winter landscape. Trail is still accessible but requires warm layers and possibly microspikes. The two small ski slopes in the gorge operate with T-bar lifts.

Why book a guided Kim Asar Gorge hike?

Kim Asar is one of the few Almaty gorges where you genuinely could go alone — the trail is marked, the path is busy, and you’re never far from other people. So why book a guide?

Three reasons. First, we drive you to the trailhead, skipping the 20-minute road walk from the Medeo bus stop and the national park entrance logistics. Second, a guide means you won’t miss the trail fork to the ridge (a common mistake that sends hikers deeper into the gorge instead of toward the swings). Third, if you want to extend beyond the swings to Furmanov Peak or the Komissarovsky Pass, having a guide who knows the upper terrain, weather patterns, and return timing is the difference between a great day and an uncomfortable one.

For families and first-time hikers, a guide also provides peace of mind on altitude: at 2,500 m, mild altitude effects are possible for visitors arriving from sea level.

FAQ: Kim Asar Gorge Hike

How difficult is the Kim Asar Gorge hike? To the mountain swings: 2/5 difficulty. The trail is well-marked with a steady but manageable gradient. No technical sections, no scrambling required. Anyone with average fitness can complete it. Beyond the swings to Furmanov Peak adds significant difficulty (3/5) with steep rocky terrain.

How long does the hike take? To the swings and back: 4–5 hours of walking. Including transport from Almaty, rest stops, and photos, plan for a 5–6 hour half-day tour. To Furmanov Peak summit and back adds 3–4 hours.

Is it suitable for children? Yes, with caveats. The trail to the swings is doable for children over 7–8 with hiking experience. The distance (8 km round trip) and elevation gain (800 m) are significant for young hikers. Families with small children might prefer the lower gorge walk along the river without attempting the ridge.

When is the best time to visit? September–October for the best combination of weather, foliage, and fewer crowds. Summer weekends are very busy. The trail is accessible year-round.

Are the mountain swings safe? The swings are informal installations — not professionally engineered playground equipment. They sit on a ridge with solid ground, not over a cliff edge. Use common sense: check the ropes before sitting, don’t overload them, and supervise children. The “flying over the mountains” effect is an optical illusion created by camera angle — you’re much closer to the ground than photos suggest.

What about ticks? The lower forest section of Kim Asar Gorge is known for ticks, particularly May through August. Wear long pants, use repellent, and check your skin and clothing every hour. The risk of tick-borne diseases (including Lyme disease and tick-borne encephalitis) is real in the Almaty mountains. Above the tree line (approximately 2,200 m+), ticks are not a concern.

Is there water on the trail? One reliable spring approximately 3 km from the start. Above that, no water until you descend. Bring at least 1.5 liters per person.

How crowded is it? Kim Asar is one of the most popular trails near Almaty. Weekends in summer can be very busy, with queues at the swings. Weekday mornings are significantly quieter. Starting early (before 8 AM) helps regardless of the day.

What’s the connection to Butakovka Gorge? The Komissarovsky Pass at the head of Kim Asar Gorge connects to the Butakovka valley. This is a through-route option for experienced hikers, but it’s a full-day commitment.

Can I combine Kim Asar with Furmanov Peak? Yes — Furmanov Peak is directly above the swings on the same ridge. Our Furmanov Peak & Panorama tour follows the Kim Asar trail to the swings and continues to the summit. It’s a full-day hike (8–10 hours) rather than a half-day.

Is the Kim Asar Gorge hike the same as the Furmanov Peak hike? Kim Asar Gorge is the approach valley; Furmanov Peak is the summit above it. Our Kim Asar Gorge tour covers the gorge and swings (half-day, 2/5 difficulty). Our Furmanov Peak tour uses the same approach but continues to the 3,053 m summit (full-day, 3/5 difficulty). Think of Kim Asar as the appetizer and Furmanov as the main course.