Day Hiking Tour to Titov Lakes from Almaty

A demanding full-day guided hike from Almaty through the scenic Gorelnik Gorge to the Titov moraine lakes — a group of high-altitude alpine lakes sitting at 3,370 m at the foot of Titov Peak in the Zailiyskiy Alatau.

What to expect on the Titov Lakes hike

The Titov Lakes hike from Almaty is one of the most rewarding alpine day trips in the Ile-Alatau National Park — and one of the most physically demanding. Starting from the Gorelnik Gorge near Medeo, the trail climbs nearly 1,500 meters over 9 km through spruce forest, past waterfalls, across wildflower-filled alpine meadows, and over glacial moraine to reach a cluster of four small lakes at approximately 3,370 meters above sea level. The lakes are fed by three glaciers descending from the north face of Titov Peak (3,850 m), and their color shifts throughout the day — from dark grey-blue in the morning to vivid turquoise when the sun hits them directly.

This is not a hike for beginners. The elevation gain is significant, the upper section involves scrambling over moraine rock, and the altitude can be felt. But for fit hikers looking for a genuine high-mountain experience within day-trip distance of Almaty, Titov Lakes deliver something that easier routes simply can’t: the feeling of standing at the edge of the alpine zone, surrounded by glaciers, with the city far below and completely out of sight.

Detailed Itinerary

Transfer to Gorelnik Gorge (45 minutes)

We pick you up early morning from your accommodation in Almaty and drive to Medeo (1,691 m), the famous ice skating rink complex south of the city. From Medeo, we continue by eco-taxi along the road toward Shymbulak ski resort, turning off at the Gorelnik Gorge entrance near the hot springs (approximately 1,900 m). This is our starting point — and if the eco-transport isn’t running, we start from Medeo, adding roughly 40 minutes of walking along the road.

Lower Gorelnik Gorge: forest and waterfalls (1.5–2 hours)

The trail begins at the forester’s house near the gorge entrance and climbs in gentle switchbacks along the right bank of the Gorelnik River. This section passes through dense Schrenk spruce forest — shaded, cool, and fragrant. The trail is well-maintained and the gradient manageable.

Within the first couple of kilometers, you’ll pass two waterfalls. The Gorelnik waterfalls are cascading flows where water drops over moss-covered rocks through a narrow rocky channel. They’re not massive, but they’re beautiful — especially in early summer when snowmelt has the rivers running hard. We take a short break here for photos before continuing upward.

Eagle’s Nest and alpine meadow zone (1.5–2 hours)

As the forest thins, the trail reaches Eagle’s Nest (Orlinnoe Gnezdo) — a rocky outcrop and viewpoint offering the first open panorama down the gorge toward Almaty. This is a natural rest stop and a good moment to check how the group is feeling before committing to the upper section.

Above Eagle’s Nest, the landscape transitions from forest to alpine meadow. In July and August, these meadows explode with fireweed, buttercups, and other wildflowers. The gradient steepens noticeably. The path narrows and becomes rockier as you gain elevation, and you start to feel the altitude as you approach 2,800–3,000 m.

Upper moraine and Titov Lakes (1.5–2 hours)

The final section is the hardest. The trail crosses an old glacial moraine — a steep, grassy slope with loose rock that serves as the natural dam holding back the lakes. The terrain requires careful footing and some light scrambling. Trekking poles are highly recommended for this stretch.

Once you crest the moraine, the first of the Titov Lakes comes into view. There are four lakes in total, nestled in an intermountain basin formed by the slopes of the Kumbel-Tau ridge, Titov Peak, and the Peak of Memory (3,665 m). The main lake is roughly 178 meters long and 100 meters wide — not large, but stunningly set against a backdrop of glaciers and bare rock. Three glaciers descend from Titov Peak directly into the basin above.

We spend 30–45 minutes at the lakes. Time for hot tea, snacks, and photos. Marmots are commonly spotted on the rocks around the moraine. On warm days, a few brave souls take a dip — but the water temperature hovers around 2–4°C, so this is strictly optional.

Descent to Gorelnik (2.5–3 hours)

The return follows the same trail. Downhill is faster but hard on the knees — the moraine descent requires attention, and the long drop back through the forest can be tiring. We take breaks as needed and arrive back at the Gorelnik trailhead in the late afternoon.

Transfer back to Almaty (45 minutes)

Eco-taxi or walk back to Medeo, then drive to Almaty. If there’s time and energy, we can make a short stop at the Gorelnik hot springs near the trailhead — wooden pools fed by mineral-rich radon water from a 320-meter-deep well. A soak here after the hike is hard to beat.

When to go: best time for the Titov Lakes hike

The lakes are accessible from mid-June through September, depending on snowfall. July is often the best month — the snow has melted from the upper trail, the wildflowers in the alpine meadows are at their peak, and the lake water is clearest. August brings fireweed blooms that turn the upper meadows purple-pink. Early September can work if autumn arrives late, but the weather window is narrow and conditions deteriorate quickly.

Avoid this hike if there’s been recent heavy rainfall — the moraine section becomes slippery and the river crossings in the lower gorge can swell. In May and early June, snow and ice on the upper moraine make the route substantially harder and potentially dangerous without crampons.

A note on altitude

The Titov Lakes sit above 3,300 m. If you’ve just arrived in Almaty (which itself is at ~800 m), you may feel the altitude — headache, shortness of breath, or fatigue can set in above 2,500 m, especially under exertion. We recommend spending at least one day acclimatizing in Almaty before attempting this hike, or doing an easier hike at moderate altitude (like Kok-Zhailau or Ak-Kayin) the day before.

Why book this guided Titov Lakes hike?

The Gorelnik Gorge trail is not waymarked above the treeline. The upper moraine section has no defined path, and navigation in cloud or fog is genuinely difficult. The trailhead access from Medeo also varies — eco-transport schedules change, and the route from the road to the gorge entrance isn’t obvious to first-time visitors. A guide who knows the gorge ensures you don’t waste time on wrong turns, can assess weather and conditions in real time, and carries emergency supplies for a long day at altitude.

FAQ: Titov Lakes Hike

How hard is the Titov Lakes hike? Rated 4 out of 5 for difficulty. The 1,500 m of elevation gain over 9 km is demanding, and the upper moraine section involves scrambling over loose rock at altitude. You need solid fitness and ideally some prior hiking experience. This is not suitable for beginners or young children.

How long does the hike take? Expect 8–10 hours of walking: 5–6 hours up, 2.5–3 hours down, plus breaks. With transfers from Almaty, the entire day runs 10–12 hours.

Is altitude sickness a risk? It can be. The lakes sit at ~3,370 m, and some hikers feel the effects above 2,500 m. Symptoms include headache, nausea, and unusual fatigue. We recommend acclimatizing in Almaty for at least a day before this hike, staying hydrated, and communicating with your guide if you feel unwell. We ascend at a steady pace with regular breaks.

Can I swim in the lakes? Technically yes, but the water temperature is around 2–4°C. A quick dip is possible for the very brave. We don’t recommend prolonged exposure.

What wildlife might I see? Marmots are the most common sighting around the lakes. Lower in the gorge, you may see various bird species including golden eagles. Ibex inhabit the higher slopes but are rarely seen at close range.

Can I combine this with Titov Peak? The peak (3,850 m) is accessible from the lakes but adds significant time and difficulty, including exposed rocky terrain. This is a separate, more technical objective — ask us about our Titov Peak tour if interested.

What’s the deal with the Gorelnik hot springs? The hot springs sit at the entrance to Gorelnik Gorge, right near the trailhead. They feature wooden pools fed by radon-rich mineral water from a 320 m deep well, maintained at around 20°C year-round. Soaking here after the hike is free and highly recommended. We can schedule time for this on the way back.

Who was Titov? The peak and lakes are named after Valerian Titov, a botanist and educator who worked with young naturalists in the early 20th century. In 1930, his students climbed the peak and named it after their mentor.