Barskoon: Gorge, Waterfalls and High-Mountain Scenery

Barskoon is known for its mountain scenery, long gorge, named waterfalls and seasonal high-mountain road. The valley extends into the Terskey Ala-Too range toward the high-altitude Arabel Plateau. The passes reach around 4,000 metres; high waterfalls and dense spruce forests are part of the landscape. When planning a stay, it is worth treating the waterfall trails and the drive into the highlands as separate activities: seasonal road conditions are especially important for the latter.

Gorge, Waterfalls and Lake Views

The Barskoon Waterfall is a geological protected area established in 1975. The Barskaun Gorge and waterfall are also natural features of the Issyk-Kul region. Views from the Barskoon Waterfall trail extend to Issyk-Kul and the mountains along its northern shore. In the wider destination of the Issyk-Kul Region, Issyk-Kul is 180 km long and 60 km wide.

Waterfalls in the Barskoon Gorge

The names help distinguish the waterfalls by their different location clues. Chashcha Manasa is one of the named waterfalls in the Barskoon Gorge. Leopard's Tears is the first waterfall in the cascade when approaching from the road. Champagne Spray is the second waterfall along its stream and is visible from the road. Aksakal's Beard is the highest of the three waterfalls along its stream. These details describe different points of reference: the order from the road, visibility and position within a group along the stream.

Trails, Getting There and Seasonal Tours

When travelling toward Karakol, the turnoff onto the A364 for the Barskoon Gorge is just before the bridge over the Barskoon River. Check local road information before setting out. A marshrutka can take you to the village of Barskoon from the South Shore Bus Station; from there, it is about a 15 km walk to the Barskoon Waterfall. Factor this distance into your plans and check transport connections and road conditions again before your trip.

The gravel road over Barskoon Pass reaches the Syrt Plateau and the Arabel Lakes. In summer, jeep tours use the road toward the pass, the lakes and the high-altitude Syrt Plateau. Whether such tours are available depends on the operators and road conditions; conditions on the high-mountain road are also seasonal. This makes highland tours different from a stay around the waterfalls: seasonal road access is an explicit part of planning them.

Cultural Heritage

Yuri Gagarin visited the Barskoon Gorge in 1964. A monument to the first cosmonaut was erected there in the late 1980s. The trail that climbs through the gorge is labelled Gagarin Trail on many maps; map labels may vary. A statue of Mahmud Kashgari Barskani was unveiled in Barskoon on 1 November 2025 and is a permanent cultural landmark.

Summer Offerings in the Valley

Visitors can try kymys, a traditional Kyrgyz drink, in a summer yurt in the Barskoon Valley. This seasonal offering may vary. Roadside stalls near Barskoon Falls sell mountain honey and sea buckthorn; this small seasonal offering is also not always the same. These seasonal highlights complement the natural and cultural experiences without being confused with highland tours.

Discover more destinations: Ananyevo, Kaji-Say, Chong-Sary-Oy, Kuturga, Grigorievka, Balykchy, Tamchy, Tosor.

For the wider travel overview: Issyk-Kul Region.