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Kokkol Waterfall: the stream in a wooded gorge with the waterfall beyond

Kokkol waterfall in the Kazakh Altai: the walk, the season and how to get there

East Kazakhstan's largest waterfall drops 60–80 m in the taiga. No road passes it: allow two days on foot or 6–10 hours on horseback from Lake Yazevoe.

  • Drop of 60–80 m
  • Two days on foot
  • 6–10 h on horseback
  • Katon-Karagay
See photos · 1 When to go Plan the trip

Photo: Samsonovsom85 · Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 4.0

Verified: 2026-11

Kokkol waterfall in the Kazakh Altai: when to go, month by month

  1. January: off season
  2. February: off season
  3. March: off season
  4. April: off season
  5. May: off season
  6. June: possible
  7. July: best time
  8. August: best time
  9. September: possible
  10. October: off season
  11. November: off season
  12. December: off season

Sources do not name months for the trek. Plan for the warm part of the short mountain summer.

Kokkol waterfall in the Kazakh Altai: why go

East Kazakhstan's largest falls

The Bolshaya Kokkol drops 60–80 m at a slope of 60–70°, about 10 m wide. A rock rib splits the flow in two.

Spruce and cedar forest

Spruce and cedar surround the falls, and below them the bed is choked with boulders and small cascades of 1–2 m.

No road

From Lake Yazevoe it takes about two days on foot with tents or 6–10 hours on horseback. Children under five should not go.

Close to the border

Decree 356 names the falls, 5 km from the border, among exceptions for foreigners. Confirm the rules before you start.

Kokkol is the largest waterfall in East Kazakhstan: the Bolshaya Kokkol River drops 60–80 m shortly before joining the Belaya Berel, in Katon-Karagay National Park. It lies 23 km northeast of Rakhmanov Springs village. No road passes it, so this is a real taiga trip: about two days on foot or 6–10 hours on horseback from Lake Yazevoe. Do not attempt it alone.

At a glance

FactValue
Height60–80 m (Wikipedia); 60 m (Aviasales)
Widthabout 10 m
Slope60–70°
From Lake Yazevoe on footabout two days
On horseback6–10 hours

Walkers should allow at least four days for the return trip, excluding the drive to the lake. Riders can do it in two in good weather. Allow extra time for the drive in, since the road beyond Rakhmanov Springs is rough and buses do not run.

What you will see

A narrow rock rib splits the flow into a broader right fall and a thinner left one, with small cascades of 1–2 m among boulders below and spruce and cedar forest all around. Belukha lies about 15 km to the northwest.

Getting there

  1. Reach Lake Yazevoe by 4x4.
  2. Arrange a guide or horses ahead. Aviasales recommends going with a local guide or a group; ask your driver or host to help arrange it.
  3. Carry a tent, warm sleeping bag, all food, an offline map and a satellite communicator.

Tell someone your route: see the safety page. The area is near the border, so read the border zone page, and see the Katon-Karagay guide for the park. Rakhmanov Springs makes a good place to recover.

Not verified yet We could not confirm the trail length and climb, any park fee, which months suit the trek, or river crossings on the Belaya Berel.

Kokkol waterfall in the Kazakh Altai: tips before you go

  1. Go with a local guide or group: the taiga is remote.
  2. On foot, allow at least four days, not counting the drive to the lake.
  3. Report your route before setting out and carry a communicator.

More to see nearby

Frequently asked questions

How do I get to Kokkol waterfall?
Drive by 4x4 to Lake Yazevoe, then walk about two days with tents or ride 6–10 hours, according to Aviasales (2026). No road passes the falls.
Do foreigners need a permit for Kokkol waterfall?
Government Decree 356 lists it among exceptions to the pass regime for foreigners, but guides still mention permits for the area. Confirm with the Border Service.
Is Kokkol suitable for children?
Aviasales says children under five should not go. The taiga is remote, so go with a local guide or group.

Sources

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