Discover Zerenda: Lake, Routes and Nature

Zerenda offers several distinct themes for a stay: time by the lake, routes through forests and mountains, winter sports and a Butterfly Museum. The routes described also vary in the time required.

Lake, Forest and Mountain Views

Lake Zerenda is a freshwater lake with clear water and is part of Kokshetau National Park. A pine forest grows beside the lake. Its bed is mostly flat and sandy; parts of the shore are covered with fine sand. You can sunbathe, swim and fish at the lake.

The landscapes of the Zerendi Mountains are another natural highlight of the region: birch and pine forests grow on the slopes. A hill in the mountains offers panoramic views of the surrounding forest and lake. So, alongside activities on the water, the area is also known for its forest and mountain scenery.

Routes by Time and Interest

The Smolnaya Hill Trail connects the visitor center to Smolnaya Hill via a ski roller track. The walk up the hill is listed as 3 kilometers round trip and takes about 1 hour 30 minutes, including stops. Allow approximately this amount of time in total.

Another option is the official tourist water route on Lake Zerenda: it is 4.8 kilometers long and takes around 3 hours 10 minutes, including stops. Compared with the walk up Smolnaya Hill, it is 1.8 kilometers longer and takes about 1 hour 40 minutes more. Check the water route information again before your trip.

The «Kün jaǵy» route is 4 kilometers long and takes about 60 minutes, including stops. It passes the Butterfly Museum 0.6 kilometers after the start. There are also hiking, horseback riding and cycling routes in the area around the lake. Your choice of activity therefore also depends on whether you want to plan a specific circular route or one of these other ways to get around.

Winter Activities and the Butterfly Museum

Sunqar Winter Base is located on the shore of Lake Zerenda and offers sledding and other winter sports. There are sledding and tubing runs for children; winter equipment can be rented. If these activities are important to your trip, check in advance whether they will be available on your dates.

The Zerenda Butterfly Museum has a collection of more than 2,000 butterflies from around the world. It is located on the grounds of the ski base in Zerenda. The visitor address is 124 Tauelzsizdik Street; confirm it locally before setting off.

Places Nearby

Dragon Cave is about 31 kilometers west of Zerenda; there is a small parking area nearby. Check local access information before setting off. Ulgulin Waterfall is seasonal and 10 meters high. It is in a wooded area with unusual rock formations; water flow is seasonal, and conditions may differ in summer.

Getting There and Finding a Hotel

If you are traveling from Astana, the first leg of the onward journey is to Kokshetau. From there, you could take a scheduled bus or a taxi to Zerenda. The final leg is listed as about 50 kilometers. Check the connection and distance information before traveling.

Check the location, amenities and availability using the specific hotel listings.

Discover more destinations: Qotyrköl, Qysyl-Agasch, Stepnogor, Vorob'yevka, Kökschetau, Jereimentau, Shortandy.

Return to the regional travel overview: Aqmola.