Hobbit’s Waterfall – The Easiest Walk in the Almaty Mountains

A guided half-day walk to Hobbit’s Waterfall — a mossy cascade in Ayusay (Bear) Gorge that has become one of Almaty’s most photographed natural spots. Water tumbles over moss-covered boulders surrounded by spruce forest, creating a scene that locals say looks like something from Middle-earth — hence the nickname. The official name is Gornaya Kupel Gulyaeva (Горная Купель Гуляева / Gulyaev’s Mountain Pool).

At just 68 metres of elevation gain and a short walk from the road in Big Almaty Gorge, this is the easiest mountain experience near Almaty. No fitness required, no special equipment, no altitude concerns. It is an ideal introduction to the gorge system for visitors who want to see the mountains without committing to a full day hike — and a perfect add-on to a Big Almaty Lake trip.

What to expect

Hobbit’s Waterfall sits in Ayusay gorge (Аюсай, “Bear Gorge”) — a left-side tributary of the Big Almaty Gorge, entering near the hydroelectric pipeline that carries water from Big Almaty Lake down to the city. The Ayusay visit centre — with its famous “Three Bears” sculpture at the entrance — marks the start of the gorge.

Getting there. From Almaty, take bus #28 from the Park of the First President to the GES-2 (2nd hydroelectric station) stop, then walk approximately 3.5 km up the paved BAG road to the Ayusay gorge entrance. By car, the drive from the Al-Farabi / Navoi intersection takes about 25 minutes (12.5 km). The national park eco-fee applies at the checkpoint.

The walk. From the road, the waterfall is approximately 2.6 km away — a gentle walk along the gorge floor through spruce forest, following the Ayusay stream. The trail is well-defined and mostly flat, with only 68 m of total elevation gain. The path passes through forest clearings with views of the Big Almaty Peak pyramid above the treeline.

The waterfall itself is not tall — a few metres at most — but what makes it special is the setting. The water flows over a series of rounded, moss-covered boulders in a narrow, shaded amphitheatre. The green moss, the filtered forest light, and the cascading water create the “Hobbit” effect that made it famous on social media. A small pool at the base invites wading in summer, though the water is cold year-round.

The Ayusay visit centre at the gorge entrance has a café, toilets, and information about park trails. Electric bicycle rental (Ayusai Electro Bikes) is available here for those who want to ride to Big Almaty Lake after visiting the waterfall.