Big Almaty Lake Hike: All You Need to Know (2025 Guide)
Looking for an easy day hike from Almaty? Well, look no further!
The Big Almaty Lake hike is one of the best day hikes from Almaty, and the best part is you don’t need to join an expensive tour to get there.
My trip to Almaty was unplanned and very spontaneous. During a disastrous trip to Kyrgyzstan (a story for another time), I booked a flight from Bishkek to Almaty for in three hours and headed straight to the airport. I had no plans, but I heard incredible things about the hiking there, and Big Almaty Lake shot to the top of my list of things to do in Almaty.
Although I loved the hike, the one cloudy day I had in Kazakhstan also happened to be the day I did this hike (hence the gloomy photos). Nevertheless, it was a fantastic hike!
In this guide, I’ve shared all you need to know about hiking to Big Almaty Lake (known as BAO by locals). This includes information on how to get there, an overview of the hike, and some helpful tips.
About the Big Almaty Lake Trek
The Big Almaty Lake hike (or BAO) is very close to Almaty, making it a simple day trip to add to your itinerary. It’s undoubtedly one of the most popular things to do in Almaty.
Location: Tien Shan mountain range, about a thirty-minute drive South of Almaty
Distance: Varies by route, and limited info online, but my Garmin watch tracked 11 miles return (around 18km) from the visitor centre, along the pipeline route and back again
Terrain: Either road or loose rocks, depending on your route
Difficulty level: Moderate
Time to complete: 4 to 6 hours, depending on your pace and route
Overall, the BAO hike is suitable for anyone with a moderate level of fitness. I’ve explained this further below, but there are two routes to the lake: the first is to follow the road, a long but steady incline; the second is to take the shortcut and follow the pipe up the hill, a shorter but steeper route on trickier terrain.
Once you reach the top of the track, you’ll be rewarded with stunning views of the turquoise lake and surrounding mountains.
How to get to BAO
The trailhead for Big Almaty Lake is about a thirty-minute drive from Almaty (depending on where you are in the city) in the stunning Tien Shan mountain range (Trans-Ili Alatau).
There are several options to reach the trailhead, including taking the public bus, using a taxi (or Yandex), or joining a tour. If you have your own car, there is parking at the visitor centre.
Option 1 – The bus (cheapest option)
The number 28 bus from the centre of Almaty is the cheapest option to reach Big Almaty Lake (around $0.20), but there’s a catch.
The bus takes you to a spot that’s still around a forty-minute uphill walk from the visitor centre. So, not only will you have to walk up to the lake, you’ll have to walk an extra forty or so minutes up a very steep and windy road.
There are taxis waiting to take people from the bus stop to the main hiking trail (beyond the visitor centre). Still, these can be extortionate and significantly more expensive than taking a Yandex to the visitor centre.
Tip: Use 2Gis to find out the best bus route for you. This is a bit like the Central Asian version of Google Maps (and it’s much more reliable for that part of the world). However, due to regional restrictions, you often can’t download the app. It’s still possible to use it through your browser.
I’d only take the bus if you’re happy to walk that extra distance. But personally, I think Yandex is the best option, and it’s not overly expensive.
Option 2 – Yandex (easiest option)
In Almaty, the most popular taxi booking app is Yandex, and it works incredibly well. Yandex is basically the equivalent of Uber, and you can take a taxi all the way to the visitor centre.
I ended up choosing this option as I didn’t fancy walking all the way from the bus stop. The car took me to the visitor centre, and it was easy to follow the road from there.
I also took a Yandex back; I just had to wait about 20 minutes for the car to arrive after I booked it.
It’s worth noting that the signal isn’t the best in the area. However, the visitor centre has WiFi, and they allowed me to use this to book my Yandex.
I was a bit confused about where to take the Yandex to. Despite a few reviews online, commercial taxis aren’t allowed past the visitor centre. The address that appears in my history is: Kókshoqy kóshesi, 1а. However, if you type in Big Almaty Lake on Yandex, it’ll take you as far as you can.
The journey cost me $6 each way.
Option 3 – Group tour
For those who prefer to have everything arranged for them, it’s possible to book a guided tour to Big Almaty Lake. This includes transportation from the city and the option to explore the area however you like upon arrival.
The tours are pretty pricey, and I really don’t think it’s necessary to have a guide or book a tour. However, I appreciate that sometimes it’s the best option.
If you do want to book a tour, consider this well-rated tour that runs throughout the year.
A recap of the Big Almaty Lake trek
From the visitor centre, you’ll need to walk up the road for around two miles (approximately 40 minutes). It’s a steady incline, but nothing too dramatic. It’s possible to take a taxi for most of the way, but they can be very expensive (a guy shouted $20 at me).
After walking past the Edelweiss Hotel and the checkpoint for the Hydro Power Plant, the road splits in two. The main road goes to the left, and a smaller road continues straight on towards the pipe.
This is where you have two options:
- Follow the road route: the road is longer and windier, but it’s better for people who want a more gradual climb on solid ground.
- Follow the pipe: this is steeper and more challenging, but much more fun (and also quicker).
The majority of hikers follow the pipe route as it’s significantly quicker and more adventurous.
I opted to take the pipe route (although I did regret it at one point).
If you opt for the pipe route, keep reading for a detailed breakdown of the route and things to know.
The first part of this section of the hike takes you up some steep (and questionable) metal steps parallel to the pipe. Honestly, these do not feel the safest or most secure, but they’re mostly resting on the ground, so I don’t think much could go wrong.
Once you reach the top of the steps, continue straight up alongside the pipe. There are some steps over to the other side of the pipe – don’t go up there. It’s all a bit confusing, but at this point, you need to be on the right side of the pipe.
After a few minutes, you’ll be faced with two options:
Option 1: Stay next to the pipe and use a metal rope to pull yourself up
Option 2: Use the footpath to continue your ascent
I actually didn’t notice the rope until I was on my way down, and I wish I had seen it earlier. The footpath is fine, but it’s a bit scrambly at times, and there is quite a bit of loose ground.
Having said that, using the rope to climb up comes with its own challenges. It’s very steep and would be easy to slip.
It took me about forty minutes to reach the top of the pipe. After a while of hiking up, you’ll reach a viewpoint with a bench. At this point, you can either crawl under the pipe and walk up to the left or continue on the right. At one point, the path on the right side ends, so you need to climb under or over the pipe either way.
I did see a few people walking ON TOP of the pipe (No, thank you). I saw signs explicitly telling you not to do this, but each to their own.
The footpath eventually meets the road and the final push to Big Almaty Lake. Once the switchbacks begin, there are cut-throughs, so you don’t need to follow the road around the whole way.
The shortcuts can be hard to spot, but they’re well-trodden and well worth using.
At the top, a security guard will direct you to the viewpoint. There are several other short walks available here for different views, including one that goes up a very steep hill (but with epic views).
You’ll be able to see three mountain peaks, including Councils Peak, Ozerny Peak & Tourist Peak.
After exploring the top and admiring the views, I recommend returning the way you came. The footpath down can be a little bit slippery and is very steep, so if you have bad knees, it might be worth taking the road route.
On the way down, I discovered the metal rope and braved the descent that way. It was VERY steep and my knees hated me for it, but I found it easier than the footpath.
Once you rejoin the road, there are usually taxi drivers ready to take you back to the visitor centre or bus stop.
If you’re going all the way to the bus stop, it might be worth jumping in a taxi; otherwise, you still have well over an hour of walking ahead of you. Honestly, that part of the hike really isn’t the most exciting.
Hiking Big Almaty Lake in the winter
The best time of year to hike to Big Almaty Lake is between June and September when there is no snow or ice on the roads.
Once winter hits, much of the road and paths are covered in snow. Although the lake itself doesn’t close, hiking to the lake is significantly more challenging and isn’t recommended.
There have been times in the past when the road was completely closed due to the winter conditions, in which case you may struggle to even get to the trailhead. If you’re keen to visit Big Almaty Lake in the winter, consider taking a guided tour.
If you want to visit a different lake in the winter from Almaty, consider a guided tour to the Kolsai and Kaindy Lakes.
Cycling at Big Almaty Lake
If you don’t fancy walking, you can hire bikes when you get to the visitor centre. I only saw e-bikes on offer, but there may have been some regular bikes hidden somewhere.
With the steep incline, you’ll almost certainly want an e-bike (unless you’re extra fit). The bikes seemed quite expensive (around $30 to hire), but it looked like you could haggle this down.
Other things to know
AllTrails is pretty useless | I usually suggest using AllTrails to download hiking routes in advance, but honestly, the route it shows isn’t the most helpful. It takes you along the road and also tells you to return a way that doesn’t exist.
You can’t go to the lake shore | It’s not possible to walk down to the lakefront. Instead, you can only admire the lake from certain viewpoints. There is security at the lake, and if you try to go past, you will be stopped.
The hike up isn’t the best | The hike up to the lake isn’t exactly the most exciting. Much of it is along a road, and while some of the views are nice, they remain the same for the entire route. However, once you reach the lake, you’ll be rewarded with epic views.
Bring cash | If you want to use the toilets or any of the facilities at the visitor centre, you’ll need to have some change. At the time of my visit, the toilets cost 100 Tenge. The visitor centre also has a small cafe and coffee shop, both of which seemed to accept cards.
Wear the right shoes | Although it’s a relatively simple hike, I’d recommend wearing shoes with good grip (especially if you’re taking the pipe route). The ground can be quite loose in some places.
Prepare for wet and cold weather | The day I hiked to BAO also happened to be the one cloudy day of my entire four-week trip to Central Asia. Despite the forecasting promising sun, it was a cloudy, cold and damp day, with rain threatening to start. I’d suggest packing some waterproofs and an extra layer, just in case.
Try to hike on a clear day | I hiked to the lake on a cloudy day, and although it was beautiful, I’d be lying if I said it didn’t impact my experience. The lake just isn’t *quite* as impressive when gloomy clouds hang over it. During cloudy days, it’s also not quite as blue.
You can’t walk around the lake | Although there are a few additional hiking trails around, you can’t walk all around the lake. If you’re looking for a more challenging hike, consider the Big Almaty Peak trek.
Pack snacks and plenty of water | Once you begin the hike, there’s nowhere to stop for food or drink, so make sure you have enough with you.
Summary: Is the Big Almaty Lake hike worth it?
If you have the time, I certainly recommend adding Big Almaty Lake to your Almaty itinerary.
It’s a beautiful hike, and a great way to spend a day during your time in Kazakhstan. Thanks to its location close to Almaty, it’s accessible, affordable and avoids the need for a group tour, all while giving you a taste of the country’s epic scenery.
Having said that, I personally wouldn’t prioritise it over the Kolsai and Kaindy Lakes tour. They’re absolutely stunning, and although not quite as much hiking is involved, they really are unmissable on your Almaty adventure.