From Medeo to Almatau

The route from Medeo to Almatau is one of the classic full-day hikes in the mountains above Almaty. It is a through-hike rather than an out-and-back: you start at the Medeo sports complex, climb into the Kimasar gorge, cross the Kimasar and Lesnoy passes, and finish at the Almatau tourbase on the far side. The full traverse is 12.9 km with around 950 m of ascent, and takes most of a day.

Because the finish is in a different valley from the start, this is a route where transport matters. On our guided version you are picked up in Almaty and collected again at the end, so there is no need to work out how to get back.

The route at a glance

• Distance: 12.9 km, point to point
• Ascent: around 950 m
• Altitude range: 1,674 m at the start to 2,245 m at the high point
• Time: around 8 hours including stops
• Difficulty: 3/5 – a long day, but no technical ground
• Passes crossed: Kimasar and Lesnoy

What the trail is like

The path leaves from the Medeo sports complex and turns into the Kimasar gorge, climbing steadily through spruce forest. Views over the Malaya Almatinka gorge open up early and are at their best in clear morning light. Higher up the forest thins into alpine meadow before the first pass.

The two passes are what give the route its shape. You gain height to cross Kimasar, drop into the next valley, then climb again to the Lesnoy pass before the long descent to Almatau. That up-and-down profile is why the total ascent reaches around 950 m even though the start and finish are at almost the same altitude – you end the day only about 75 m higher than you began it, having climbed far more than that along the way.

The trail is well marked throughout and involves no scrambling or technical ground. What makes it a 3/5 is length and cumulative climbing rather than difficulty underfoot.

Who it suits

This is a good choice if you already walk regularly and want a full mountain day rather than a half-day outing. It sits at a similar level to Kok-Zhailau – comparable distance and ascent – so if you have done that comfortably, this is a natural next step.

It is not the right first hike in these mountains. Eight hours on the trail is a long time if you are not used to it, and the two passes mean there is no short way back once you are committed to the traverse. If you are just getting started, one of the easier Medeo-area walks is a better introduction.

When to go

The high point of the route is at 2,245 m, so the passes hold snow later into the spring than the forest sections lower down. Summer and early autumn are the most reliable windows. Start early: eight hours of walking plus stops fills a day, and the light over the gorge is best in the morning.

What to bring

• Proper hiking boots – the descent to Almatau is long
• Enough water for a full day, and something to refill from where you can
• Layers: it is cooler at the passes than at Medeo
• Sun protection for the open meadow sections
• Trekking poles if you like them on descents

Lunch on the trail and a first aid kit are included on our guided tours, so food does not need planning.