Gorelnik Gorge: Hiking Hub of the Almaty Mountains

Gorelnik Gorge is an 8 km valley branching off from the Small Almaty Gorge, between the Medeo skating rink and Shymbulak ski resort. It serves as the trailhead for some of the best day hikes in the Almaty mountains – from easy waterfall walks to demanding summit pushes above 3,600 m.

What makes Gorelnik Gorge the best hiking base near Almaty

Gorelnik Gorge is where most serious hiking near Almaty begins. The gorge branches left off the main Medeo-Shymbulak road at roughly 1,900 m elevation, just a 30-minute drive from central Almaty. Within this single valley, you can reach two waterfalls, a natural hot spring, a panoramic viewpoint, a chain of alpine lakes, and multiple summits — all on well-established trails through Tien Shan spruce forest.

The name “Gorelnik” means “burned place” in Russian, a reference to a forest fire in the 1930s that scarred the lower slopes. The forest has long since regrown. From 1932 to 1973, the mouth of the gorge housed Kazakhstan’s first tourist camp — “Gorelnik” camp — which in the 1950s and 1960s was considered one of the best in the Soviet Union. During World War II, the camp trained alpine troops for mountain warfare. That history is invisible now; the gorge today is pure natural landscape.

The Gorelnik River is a left tributary of the Malaya Almatinka (Small Almaty River), originating from the Titov Glacier high above. The gorge runs roughly 8 km from its entrance to the alpine zone above the treeline, gaining about 1,100 m of elevation along the way. The lower portion is dense spruce forest; the upper portion opens into alpine meadows, moraines, and rocky terrain leading to the passes and peaks of the Zailiyskiy Alatau.

Key features of Gorelnik Gorge

Hot springs at the entrance (~1,900 m)

Before you even enter the gorge, the Gorelnik Hot Spring sits at the trailhead. Radon-rich mineral water is piped from a 320-meter-deep well into two small wooden pools — one warm, one cold (river water). The water stays at roughly 20°C year-round. It’s free, public, and popular with locals after hikes. The spring was recently renovated with a visitor center, sports ground, and changing area. Don’t expect a spa; do expect a unique mountain soak.

Lower Waterfall (~2,054 m)

About 3 km into the gorge, the trail reaches the first waterfall — roughly 5 meters high, formed by a left tributary of the Gorelnik River. The tributary originates from a spring on the western slope of the Kumbel ridge. A pleasant stop, but not the main attraction.

Upper Waterfall (~2,458 m)

Another 1 km beyond, the Upper Waterfall drops approximately 20 meters in three cascading tiers. This is the more impressive of the two — and the junction point where trails diverge. The waterfalls are formed not by the Gorelnik River itself but by its left tributary, a distinction that surprises many hikers expecting to follow the main river to them.

Eagle’s Nest viewpoint (~2,505 m)

Just 200 meters above the Upper Waterfall junction, a rocky clearing known as Eagle’s Nest (Orlinnoe Gnezdo) offers panoramic views down the gorge toward Almaty and across to the surrounding ridges. This is the natural turnaround point for a half-day hike and the most popular destination in the gorge.

Titov Lakes (above treeline, ~3,400 m)

Beyond Eagle’s Nest, the trail continues deeper into the gorge, eventually climbing above the treeline into the alpine zone where three small moraine lakes sit below Titov Peak (3,871 m). This is a full-day, demanding hike.

Summit routes

From the upper gorge, experienced hikers can access Kumbel Peak (~3,600 m), Titov Peak (3,871 m), and connect to the Tuyuksu alpine camp via the Trapezia Pass.

Choose your Gorelnik Gorge hike

We offer five guided hikes that start in Gorelnik Gorge, ranging from half-day strolls to serious mountain days. Here’s how to choose:

Eagle’s Nest & Gorelnik Waterfalls — half day, easy to moderate

The classic introduction. You hike to both waterfalls and the Eagle’s Nest viewpoint, returning the same way. Total hiking time 3–4 hours, elevation gain ~600 m. Suitable for most fitness levels, including older teenagers. The trail is well-maintained with one steep section near the top.

Best for: First-time hikers in the Almaty mountains, families with active teens, visitors wanting a taste of alpine scenery without a full mountain day.

View the Eagle’s Nest tour →

Titov Lakes — full day, demanding

Continue past Eagle’s Nest into the upper gorge, above the treeline, to the three alpine lakes reflecting Titov Peak. Total hiking time 7–9 hours, elevation gain ~1,500 m. Requires good fitness and comfort with rocky terrain above the tree line.

Best for: Experienced hikers wanting alpine lake scenery, those looking for a challenging but non-technical mountain day.

View the Titov Lakes tour →

Kumbel Peak (~3,600 m) — full day, challenging

A summit hike to one of the most accessible peaks in the Zailiyskiy Alatau, with panoramic views of the surrounding ridges, valleys, and Big Almaty Lake. The route passes through alpine meadows and mountain streams before a final rocky ascent.

Best for: Hikers seeking a summit experience without technical climbing, good acclimatization for harder peaks.

View the Kumbel Peak tour →

Peak of Memory (Pik Pamyat, ~4,150 m) — full day, very challenging

A high-altitude summit via the Small Almaty Gorge and Mynzhylki Plateau. One of the most demanding day hikes near Almaty, with significant elevation gain and altitude challenges.

Best for: Strong, experienced mountain hikers with altitude acclimatization.

View the Peak of Memory tour →

Titov Peak (3,871 m) — full day, very challenging

A summit with breathtaking panoramic views of the surrounding mountains, glaciers, and valleys. The route passes through scenic meadows, rocky slopes, and snow-covered sections. Requires good physical fitness.

Best for: Experienced trekkers and mountaineers looking for a scenic high summit.

View the Titov Peak tour →

Quick comparison:

Getting to Gorelnik Gorge

All our guided hikes include pickup from your accommodation in Almaty. For reference, the approach works like this:

The gorge entrance is located on the main road between Medeo (1,691 m) and Shymbulak ski resort, roughly 3 km past the Medeo dam. Look for the hunter’s house (forester’s lodge) on the right side of the road — the trail into the gorge starts just behind it, near the hot springs. The gorge is approximately 30 km from central Almaty, about 30–40 minutes by car.

If you’re coming independently, shuttle buses and eco-taxis run between Medeo and Shymbulak and can drop you at the Gorelnik turnoff. You can also walk from the Medeo dam (roughly 40 minutes on the road). Note that access to the gorge is within the Ile-Alatau National Park; entry fees apply.

Important access note: Recent infrastructure changes added a “Stairs of Health” staircase near the gorge approach. This is a steep set of steps that can be the most exhausting part of the hike before you even reach the trailhead. Your guide will navigate the current access route, which changes periodically with road construction between Medeo and Shymbulak.

Best time to hike Gorelnik Gorge

The gorge is accessible year-round, but the experience varies dramatically by season:

May–June: Snow lingers in the upper sections; waterfalls run strong with snowmelt; wildflowers begin in the lower meadows. Titov Lakes may still be frozen or inaccessible.

July–September: Peak season. All trails are clear, waterfalls flow well, alpine meadows bloom, Titov Lakes are thawed and reflective. The gorge can be busy on weekends.

October–November: Golden autumn colors in the spruce forest; fewer hikers; nights get cold at altitude; first snows may close upper routes.

December–April: Winter conditions. Lower trails are walkable with proper footwear; waterfalls freeze into dramatic ice formations; upper routes require winter mountaineering experience. The hot springs are particularly appealing in cold weather.

Why book a guided hike in Gorelnik Gorge?

The lower trails to the waterfalls and Eagle’s Nest are well-marked and manageable independently. But above the treeline — toward Titov Lakes, Kumbel Peak, and beyond — the routes become less obvious, weather changes rapidly, and altitude introduces real risk. A guide who knows these specific trails manages the pace, reads the weather, and makes summit decisions based on conditions, not ambition.

Even on the lower trails, a guide adds value through knowledge of the gorge’s history — the tourist camp, the wartime training, the forest fire origin of the name, the geology of the waterfalls — that turns a walk in the forest into a story.

FAQ: Gorelnik Gorge

How do I get to Gorelnik Gorge from Almaty? By car: drive to Medeo, continue past the dam toward Shymbulak for about 3 km. The gorge entrance is on the right, near the hot springs and the forester’s lodge. Total drive from central Almaty: ~30 km, 30–40 minutes. All our guided hikes include pickup from your accommodation.

Is Gorelnik Gorge suitable for beginners? The lower portion — to the waterfalls and Eagle’s Nest — is manageable for anyone with basic fitness. The trail is well-maintained through the forest, with one steep section near Eagle’s Nest. Above the treeline (Titov Lakes and beyond), the hiking becomes significantly harder and is not suitable for beginners.

Can I visit just the hot springs without hiking? Yes. The Gorelnik Hot Springs are at the gorge entrance, accessible by a short walk from the road. No hiking required. They’re free and open to the public.

What’s the difference between Gorelnik Gorge and the Big Almaty Gorge? They’re in different valleys. Gorelnik Gorge branches off the Small Almaty Gorge (Medeo/Shymbulak side), while the Big Almaty Gorge (Big Almaty Lake side) is a separate valley to the west. Gorelnik is more forested with waterfalls; the Big Almaty Gorge is more alpine with the lake and observatory. Both are excellent but offer different experiences.

Are there facilities in the gorge? The hot springs area has a visitor center, changing rooms, and a sports ground. Beyond that, there are no facilities — no shops, no toilets, no shelters. Bring everything you need, especially water and snacks. The river water is drinkable in the upper sections but should be treated.

Can I camp in Gorelnik Gorge? Yes, there are good camping sites in the mid and upper gorge — particularly near the river crossings above the waterfalls and in the alpine meadows below the treeline. Two-day trips with overnight camping are a good option for reaching Titov Lakes or the peaks at a relaxed pace.

Is the gorge safe in winter? The lower trail to the waterfalls is hikeable in winter with good boots and possibly traction devices (crampons or microspikes). The frozen waterfalls are spectacular. However, above the treeline, winter conditions are serious — deep snow, avalanche risk, and extreme cold. Winter summit routes require mountaineering experience and should only be attempted with an experienced guide.

Why is it called Gorelnik? “Gorelnik” comes from the Russian word “goret” (to burn). The lower slopes of the gorge were burned in a forest fire in the 1930s. The forest has fully regrown since then. The Kazakh name for the gorge is Kuigensai, which carries the same meaning.