Barskoon Waterfall: A Trek Through Kyrgyzstan’s Barskoon Gorge
Why Barskoon Waterfall Is Worth the Trek
I wasn’t expecting much from a waterfall thirty minutes off the Issyk Kul road, but Barskoon changed my mind.
I’d already spent thirty days working through Kyrgyzstan’s best canyons, lakes, and mountains, and this valley still managed to stand out.
Finding the Yuri Gagarin statue tucked below the waterfall, a slice of Soviet space history sitting in the middle of nowhere, was the moment that sealed it.
For solo travellers or couples who love hiking and adventure, Barskoon offers quiet trails, forest paths, and beautiful views. You can pair the waterfall with a visit to nearby Skazka Canyon, where the colourful rock formations and short trails make for a few hours of fun exploring.
Rivers cut through the valley, peaks tower above, and every corner feels like it belongs in another world.
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Barskoon Waterfall Map
Getting To Barskoon Gorge
The best way to reach Barskoon Gorge is by car but if I am honest the trip was not comfortable.
This is how we travelled there, and still it worked out great. Please note, the road can be very bumpy at times with little to no asphalt. You can expect to pass large rocks, boulders and rivers along the way.
It cost us 1,600 Som ($18.24/€15.68/£13.44) to get from Barskoon centre to the waterfall, 17 kilometres away. We had pre-arranged with our driver to wait for a couple of hours so we could explore Barskoon Valley and the waterfall.
We approached the taxi centre in Barskoon village beside the mosque on the main street, and we arranged a duration and cost with the driver.
The waterfall is open all day and night and you do not need to pay to enter the area.
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Trekking To Barskoon Waterfall
We started our journey right beside the Barskoon Valley Gagarin monument.
The climb was steep in certain areas, and it was helpful to have good footwear.
We made our way to the first small waterfall. It did not take long to reach this. Maybe half an hour. Nature is very beautiful here, so take it all in. I saw the Edelweiss and Barberry. Trees lushly fill the mountainside.
I sat down and simply listened to the sounds around me.
The waterfall trail is around 3.1 kilometres, with an elevation gain of around 367 metres. I thought it was impressive. In total, it usually takes around 2.5 hours to complete, so it can take up a fair bit of time. You do need to be extremely fit to complete the trail as it is strenuous. I did not complete the trail but from my research online it is not easy.
There are other routes too but the main feature is the 24 metres waterfall falling down to the rocks below.
You go to the right when leaving Barskoon Waterfall Valley Camp, and the path is easy to follow.
After some time standing around and enjoying the waterfall, we made our way back across the steep hill to get a better view of Barskoon’s main waterfall.
It can be hard to see much here.
There are a few paths that you can follow, and eventually, you will find a nice view of Barskoon waterfall.
You can go higher and higher until you are level with the top of the falls, but we stayed a little lower to appreciate the views before trekking back down through the wilderness and the tremendous amount of horse poo that you will find along the way.
Still, it was extremely beautiful to make this journey.
Once complete, we walked across to the Yuri Gagarin monument and inspected it up close. It is said that weekends are busier, but when I visited on a Saturday morning, there were few people around, so reviews are mixed.
A wonderful end to an exciting journey through Barskoon gorge.
Karakol To Barskoon
There are a couple of ways to get from Karakol to Barskoon.
You can wait on the main road around Issyk Kul Lake (A363) and wave down the Marshrutka as the locals do. Generally, you will see a small group of people with bags on the side of the road waiting for the next ride. Usually, we get a seat, but only once we have to stand, which is uncomfortable.
You can try to get a Yandex to the Barskoon waterfall, but in my experience, it was harder to find a driver in the more rural areas of Kyrgyzstan. There is a risk to that if you arrive at the waterfall and rely on getting a Yandex back, it will be more difficult.
It is for this reason that getting a driver to wait for you is more suitable. Otherwise, you will need to hitchhike or rely on the locals to help you.
Why Visit Barskoon Waterfall
The Barskoon Gorge is an astounding part of the Jety Oguz district, close to the Issyk Kul Lake region. I have trekked through the area, and it is one of my favourite parts of Kyrgyzstan.
The waterfall is 24 meters in height, and it makes for a great day out exploring nature.
Some people say the name Barskoon translates into “tears of the snow leopard” because so many of these animals are found in the region.
The waterfall originates from glacial meltwater in the Terskey Ala-Too mountain range. Its water is visibly clear and good enough to drink after being filtered.
I recommend visiting the monument dedicated to Yuri Gagarin, reportedly erected during his visit to the area.
It’s a fascinating historical marker, and it’s crazy to think he was the first man brave enough to make the flight into space.
Other Things To Know About Barskoon Waterfall
You should bring proper footwear like these hiking shoes, a reusable water bottle, waterproof trousers and a jacket when visiting Barskoon gorge.
A hiking stick will also support you more the further you explore the valley.
Make sure to download Google offline maps so you can better navigate the valley without a connection to the internet.
There are a few small places to eat, but depending on the time of the year, they may not open with very few people hiking.
Pack lunch and some snacks in case you end up spending more time exploring than anticipated.
🇰🇬 Read My Guide About Skazka Canyon 🇰🇬
Barskoon Village
Barskoon Village feels like a small place with few places to eat and buy groceries.
There is a small grocery store on the main street where you will get all the food you need. There are small family-run restaurants where you can find only the very basic traditional food.
At times, we asked around, and we couldn’t get a rice dish, which was surprising.
Don’t expect to have the same options or number of activities that you could easily find in Karakol or Cholpon Ata.
We did get invited to a local wedding when we passed the big party on the main street. We ended up dancing and eating with a friendly group of people. So it goes without saying, the people are extremely warm and hospitable, from my experience.
You can easily hitchhike around the area. It didn’t take long for a driver to stop for us, and we arranged a small fee before we left.
Should I visit Barskoon Gorge?
At the end of the day I would easily return to Barskoon Waterfall and do all the trails in full.
My experience at Barskoon Waterfall felt like a true adventure into the Kyrgyz countryside. Barskoon Village is already remote, but as we drove further, the scenery opened up to towering peaks, winding roads, and clean rivers. Along the way, we were even invited into a local wedding, which gave a glimpse of village life.
My favourite moment was discovering a small hidden waterfall tucked behind trees; it felt hidden and relaxing. Visiting early or late in the morning is best to avoid crowds, and bringing a camera or drone, water, and a light waterproof jacket ensures you’re prepared for spray or rain.
Experiencing this quiet, grand landscape is a memory worth making.
Find out how to get from Bishkek to Karakol with my in-depth guide.
Thanks for reading,
James
FAQs
How Do I Get To Barskoon Waterfall?
The easiest and safest way to reach Barskoon Waterfall is by private taxi. From Barskoon village, taxis from the rank near Barskoon Mosque take about 20 minutes to cover the 17 km route and cost around 1,600 Som ($18.24/€15.68/£13.44). Booking through your accommodation works too, though the language barrier can make negotiation tricky. Visiting around midday, the waterfall area was quiet with almost no other tourists.
What To Do In Barskoon?
Barskoon offers several attractions for a couple of days. Spend a few hours at Issyk Kul Lake, wander around the main waterfall and forest, and check out the Yuri Gagarin monument. There’s also a smaller hidden waterfall near the main one, perfect for photos without crowds. Spend 2–3 hours at Skazka Canyon exploring rock formations. Morning or midday visits are best for cooler temperatures and quiet trails. Bring snacks, water, and a camera for photo-friendly spots along the paths.
How Do I Get From Karakol To Barskoon?
Travelling from Karakol to Barskoon is easiest by private taxi, which takes around 2–2.5 hours over scenic 120 km mountain roads. Taxis booked in Karakol usually cost 4,500–5,000 Som ($51.30–$57.00/€44.10–€49.00/£37.80–£42.00) and allow flexible stops for photos along the way. Departing early or mid-morning gives daylight for scenic views and avoids village traffic. Bringing a small translator app or notes helps with negotiations and communication, as English is limited in the villages along the route.
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