Kimasar Gorge Almaty: trails from Medeu, swings, pass

Kimasar Gorge, Almaty: when to go, month by month

January: possible

February: possible

March: possible

April: possible

May: good

June: best time

July: best time

August: best time

September: best time

October: good

November: possible

December: possible

Summer is for walking and winter for skis and sleds; rain and snow make the trail slippery.

Kimasar Gorge, Almaty: why go

A walk through Kimasar Gorge

The main valley follows the river to a small waterfall and Lenin's hut, and you can return along the river.

Swings and Furmanov Peak

From 1,870 m to the swings at 2,520 m is relatively easy. Beyond that the ridge steepens sharply to the 3,053 m summit.

A pass to Butakovka

The 2,080 m Kimasar Pass links the Butakovka and Small Almaty gorges, first by road and then through birch forest.

Skis and sleds in winter

People ski, snowboard and sled on the slopes. Avalanche cones in the inner valley can last until July.

Kimasar Gorge is a side valley about 6 km long beside the Medeu ice rink in Small Almaty Gorge, the start of many easy hikes above Almaty. You need no car, no guide and little planning to try it, which also explains the summer queues at its busiest spot. Tengrinews suggests setting off in the morning.

Pick one of three walks

Local guides split the gorge into three routes, and heights appear only where a source gives them.

Route	Goal	Height	Suits
Main valley by the river	waterfall, Lenin’s hut	no data	a short outing
Kimasar Pass	link to Butakovka and Small Almaty	2,080 m	half a day
Ridge trail	swings, Furmanov Peak	start 1,870 m, swings 2,520 m, summit 3,053 m	fit hikers for the summit

For a first mountain day, go to the swings and come back, or use the pass to reach Butakovka waterfall. The summit route has its own page because the climb beyond the swings is far steeper.

From the bus stop to the trail

Bus 12 ends at the Medeu ice rink, and guides put the gorge entrance about 100 m to the east. Follow the information board for beginners towards the valley road, then on to dirt tracks. Drivers should note that a barrier is mentioned on the approach and that Medeu’s entry rules changed in September 2026, so read the Medeu page first. For a similar short walk from a bus stop in the neighbouring Big Almaty Gorge, try Ayusai, with a visitor centre at Kokshoky on bus No. 28.

About 1.3 km above the water treatment works at the mouth, the valley forks at the Jaeger cordon, according to Wikipedia. The right branch climbs to Komissarovsky Pass. The left crosses two concrete bridges into an inner valley popular for picnics.

Fees and rules

Tengrinews reported a charge at the Kimasar checkpoint from 27 January 2023, with pensioners and veterans exempt. Order No. 232 sets 0.15 MCI per person per day for sanitation in Ile-Alatau National Park. Our fee calculator converts that to tenge, and the park page covers general rules.

Seasons and hazards

Summer brings walkers, and winter brings skiers and sledders, with different risks. Compare conditions with our mountain weather tool.

Hazard	When	What to do
Slippery trail	rain or snow	wear grippy shoes, use poles
Avalanche debris	inner valley, until July	check Emergencies Ministry alerts
Queues at the swings	summer weekends	start early

The name has two proposed origins: Kazakh “Kim asar” (who will help) or the word “commissar”. For other easy outings, see nature near Almaty.

Not verified yet We could not confirm the checkpoint’s 2026 status, the length and time of the waterfall route, whether the barrier is open to cars, the swings’ condition, or winter lift operations.

Frequently asked questions

How do I get to Kimasar Gorge from Almaty?

Take city bus 12 to the Medeu terminus. Guides say the gorge begins about 100 m east of the ice rink. Drivers turn left at a sign before the rink, then continue a couple of kilometres to the ranger’s house.

Can beginners hike Kimasar Gorge?

Yes, at least as far as the swings, a section a travel directory describes as relatively easy. Climbing on to Furmanov Peak is a much harder day.

Is there an entrance fee?

Tengrinews reported a charge at the Kimasar checkpoint from 27 January 2023. Order No. 232 sets 0.15 MCI per person per day for the park. We could not confirm the checkpoint’s status in 2026.

What can you do in Kimasar Gorge in winter?

Tengrinews mentions skiing, snowboarding and sledding, and guides note private runs with rope tows. Trails can be slippery, and check avalanche warnings first.