Alatas Waterfall and Malaya Almatinka Waterfall

Alatas Waterfall in Almaty is located in the small Sarkyrama Gorge near the Medeu dam. It is formed by a mountain spring and is approximately three metres high. The waterfall is small but looks particularly scenic during active snowmelt when the flow becomes stronger.

The name “Sarkyrama” means “waterfall” in Kazakh. It describes the location well: a narrow green gorge, wet rocks, a mountain stream and a small cascade hidden away from the main tourist routes.

Alatas is most interesting in late spring and early summer. During drier periods, the flow may weaken considerably or almost completely disappear. In early spring, hikers should consider snow conditions and possible avalanche risk in the gorge.

Water in mountain streams may look clean, but drinking it without filtration or treatment is not recommended. Animals and other sources of contamination may be present farther up the gorge.

Route from Medeu

The hike begins near the final bus stop at Medeu. It can be planned as a circular route combining Alatas Waterfall, the Student Trail, the cascade on the Malaya Almatinka River, Gorelnik Gorge and Apa Katya Cafe.

The group first heads towards the dam and takes a side route into Sarkyrama Gorge. After visiting Alatas, the route returns to the Medeu area and joins the Student Trail.

The order of the stops may be changed depending on the weather, trail conditions and the group’s pace.

Student Trail to Gorelnik

The Student Trail is an alternative walking route from Medeu towards Gorelnik Gorge. Unlike the standard route via the staircase and paved road, it passes through birch forest, along the slopes and beside the river.

The trail begins east of Medeu ice rink, in the direction of the turn towards Kimasar. It then passes around the ice rink grounds, reaches the dam and continues along a natural trail beside the Malaya Almatinka River.

Some sections include loose slopes, wet rocks and narrow passages near the water. The trail becomes more slippery after rain, so footwear with a well-defined tread is required.

Malaya Almatinka Waterfall

A small cascade on the Malaya Almatinka River can be visited along the way. It is less well known than the Gorelnik Waterfalls, so the area is usually quieter and less crowded.

The strength of the flow depends on the season, precipitation and snowmelt. The cascade usually carries more water in spring and early summer but may become noticeably weaker in dry weather.

The Malaya Almatinka River begins in the high-altitude section of the Trans-Ili Alatau and passes through the Medeu area. Gorelnik is one of its tributaries.

Gorelnik Gorge

Gorelnik Gorge is located between Medeu and Shymbulak. It combines a mountain river, forest trails, open clearings, a thermal spring and a tourist visitor centre.

The Gorelnik River was previously known as Kuygensai because of the distinctive smell of a hydrogen sulphide spring. According to one common version, the modern name of the gorge appeared after a major forest fire in the early 1930s.

A hike through Gorelnik is interesting because of its changing natural environments. In several hours, hikers can move from the developed Medeu area to birch forest, riverbanks and wilder mountain slopes. The gorge is also home to the Gorelnik Waterfalls, which can be reached in 2-3 hours.

“Apa Katya Peak” as the final stop

“Apa Katya Peak” is a humorous name for the final stop on the route. There is no actual mountain summit with this name. It refers to Apa Katya Cafe, located near the visitor centre in Gorelnik Gorge.

This humorous detail gives the hike a memorable finish. Instead of a difficult climb, the group makes a symbolic “summit attempt” with an opportunity to rest, warm up and have tea or coffee.

Distance, elevation and difficulty

The combined route from the Medeu bus stop via Alatas Waterfall, the Student Trail, the Malaya Almatinka River and Gorelnik Gorge is approximately 10 km round trip. The estimated elevation gain is around 600 m, while the maximum elevation is approximately 2,150 m.

The route is moderately difficult and may be suitable for active beginners with reasonable physical fitness in dry, stable weather. The main challenges are not the distance but slippery rocks, loose sections and several ascents.

What to bring

Hiking shoes or boots with a good tread are required. Footwear with flat or slippery soles is not suitable for this route.

Bring water, snacks, a windproof jacket, a raincoat, a hat and sun protection. Trekking poles are useful on wet sections, ascents and descents.

Even in warm weather, it may feel cool near the waterfalls and in shaded sections of the gorge.

Why choose this hike?

The main advantage of the route is the number of interesting locations within a relatively short distance. In one hike, participants can see Alatas Waterfall, follow the Student Trail, reach the Malaya Almatinka River and visit Gorelnik Gorge.

The humorous Apa Katya Peak gives the route a light and memorable finish. It is a good option for an active day out, exploring trails near Medeu and walking through several natural areas of the Almaty mountains.