Viral Kok Zhailau Hiking Trail in Almaty on Instagram - Guide

Kok Zhailau (Көк Жайлау) in Almaty is one of the most popular local hiking trails. Located in Ile-Alatau National Park, it’s just a 1-hour drive from the city center. Famous for its magnificent Tian Shan scenery, alpine meadows, and primeval forests, this trail suits hikers of various fitness levels. Here’s a detailed guide: 1.📍 Strategic Location The starting point is at Akbulak Station of Medeu Ski Resort (1,500 meters above sea level), and the endpoint is Kok Zhailau Plateau (2,200 meters above sea level). Adjacent to the renowned Shymbulak Ski Resort, allowing for combined visits. 2.🌿 Diverse Natural Landscapes Tian Shan spruce forests: The first half of the hike passes through dense forests with fresh air. Alpine meadows: In summer (June-September), wildflowers blanket the area, and the grass is lush and green. "Kok Zhailau" means "green summer pasture" in Kazakh. 🏔️ Take bus No. 12 from the city center, pay 120 tenge, and get off at the stop shown in Picture 12. Walk back to find a winding mountain road; after 1 kilometer, you’ll spot the start of the hiking trail (as in Picture 2). Near the sign here, there’s a spring 💧 where you can refill water. Though this trail is popular, with many choosing to camp overnight ⛺, the first 1 kilometer is extremely tough—almost all uphill ⬆️ with a steep slope. It’s recommended to follow the wooden plank road 🪵. It takes 3 hours one-way ⏱️ to reach the destination in Picture 6. Take the first hour to control your heart rate ❤️ and go slowly. After the tough start, there’s a 2-kilometer flat sheep trail 🐑. Strongly recommend bringing trekking poles 🦯—the trail has many sandy sections 🏜️, so they help with anti-slip, and you’ll thank yourself for having them when going downhill ⬇️. Wear non-slip hiking boots 👢, preferably high-top ones. The mountain climate is changeable 🌤️🌧️, so prepare for both cold 🧥 and heat ☀️. It’s well worth a visit! It’s advisable to go with a group 👥, and best to camp overnight—this way, you can see the stunning starry sky 🌌 and the breathtaking night view of Almaty 🌃. #HikingCommunity #Kazakhstan #OneDayHike #AlmatyGuide #KazakhstanGuide #AlmatyTravel #AlmatyTravelGuide