Barskoon Gorge

Barskoon Gorge

View of the gorge from one of the slopes

Country:

Kyrgyzstan

Region:

Issyk-Kul Region

Mountain range:

Terskey Ala-Too

Coordinates:

Latitude: 42°00′33″
Longitude: 77°36′43″

Length:

≈ 30-40 km

Waterfall:

[[Barskoon Waterfalls]]

Rating:

Barskoon

Barskoon Gorge on the map of Kyrgyzstan

Thematic Portals

Kyrgyzstan • Sights

Barskoon Gorge (also Barskoön, Kyrgyz: Барскоон) is a mountain gorge on the southern shore of Lake Issyk-Kul in Issyk-Kul Region of Kyrgyzstan. It lies in the Terskey Ala-Too range, about 80-90 km west of Karakol and around 320 km from Bishkek, near the village of Barskoon.

Barskoon is known for its waterfalls, spruce forests, mountain river, the road to Arabel Valley and monuments connected with Yuri Gagarin. The gorge is convenient to include in a route along the southern shore of Issyk-Kul together with Skazka Canyons, the Barskoon waterfalls, Jeti-Oguz Gorge and Karakol.

Questions, comments and additions can be left on the article's discussion page.

Geography

Barskoon Gorge is located in the central part of the southern coast of Issyk-Kul and runs deep into the Terskey Ala-Too mountains. The Barskoon River flows through the gorge and then into Lake Issyk-Kul. Tourist descriptions usually give the length of the main valley as about 30 km, although the road toward the passes and the Arabel plateau can make the route feel longer.

In the lower and middle parts of the gorge, green slopes, spruce forest, stony riverbanks and side streams dominate. Higher up, the road rises toward more open high-mountain landscapes, passes and syrts. Elevations gradually increase along the route, and toward Arabel and Kumtor the road reaches areas around 3,800-4,000 metres above sea level.

Barskoon is notable because it combines a relatively accessible vehicle road, waterfalls and an exit toward a high-mountain plateau. For this reason, the gorge is used not only as an independent natural attraction, but also as a route to Arabel, mountain passes and the Kumtor area.

Waterfalls

The main natural attraction of the gorge is the Barskoon Waterfalls system. Different tourist descriptions mention waterfalls known as Tears of the Leopard, Bowl of Manas, Champagne Splashes and Beard of Aksakal. Some waterfalls are reached by short paths from the road, while others require a steeper ascent.

The most visited waterfalls are located in the lower and middle parts of the gorge. They are usually seen during a one-day trip along the southern shore of Issyk-Kul. After rain or during active snowmelt, the paths can be slippery, so comfortable footwear is important.

Route and visiting

The gorge is usually reached from the southern-shore road of Issyk-Kul through Barskoon village. From Karakol, the road takes about one and a half to two hours; from Bishkek, it takes about five to six hours to reach the southern shore, followed by the turn into the gorge.

A vehicle road runs through the gorge and continues toward the high-mountain sections, Arabel Plateau and the Kumtor area. Because of the industrial significance of the route, the road into the deeper part of the gorge is maintained better than many ordinary mountain roads. It is still a high-mountain route: weather, snow, washouts, stones and seasonal conditions can quickly change passability.

A few hours are enough to visit the waterfalls if the goal is only the lower part of the gorge. If the plan is to continue toward Arabel or the high-mountain sections, it is better to set aside a full day or arrange an overnight stay nearby. In the warm season, yurts and small food points may operate near popular stops, but current infrastructure should be checked before travelling.

Monuments and cultural places

There are monuments in the gorge connected with Yuri Gagarin. During the Soviet period, Issyk-Kul Region was one of the places where cosmonauts rested and recovered, and Barskoon became part of this local memory. Along the road, travellers can also see a Soviet truck mounted on a pedestal, connected with the history of the road and the area.

Tourist descriptions of Barskoon also mention historical places associated with ancient Barsgan and the medieval history of the southern shore of Issyk-Kul. For most visitors, however, the main attractions in the gorge remain the natural ones: the river, forest, waterfalls and mountain views.

Kumtor and the road to Arabel

The road through Barskoon leads toward the high-mountain Arabel Valley and the Kumtor area. Kumtor is one of the largest gold deposits in Kyrgyzstan and Central Asia. After agreements in 2022, 100% of the shares of the companies operating Kumtor were transferred to Kyrgyzaltyn OJSC.

Because of its proximity to Kumtor, Barskoon is not only a tourist gorge but also a transport corridor. Industrial vehicles, service roads and restricted areas may be encountered deeper in the gorge. Travellers should not enter industrial zones and should check the road condition and access rules in advance.

On 20 May 1998, a major environmental accident occurred near Barskoon: a truck carrying sodium cyanide for Kumtor entered the Barskoon River. Different sources mention a spill of more than 1.7 tonnes of the substance. The incident caused serious public concern, affected the tourist season and became one of the best-known environmental episodes in the history of the mine. An international commission later assessed the consequences of the accident and noted that contamination concerns led to water-use restrictions in the period after the spill.

Nature

Barskoon combines coniferous forests, a mountain river, the slopes of Terskey Ala-Too, waterfalls and open high-mountain areas higher along the road. In the lower part of the gorge the landscape is softer and greener; closer to Arabel it becomes harsher and more stony.

In spring and early summer there is more water in the gorge, and streams and waterfalls are more active. In summer the route is more convenient for trips and short walks. In autumn the gorge becomes calmer, but mountain weather can deteriorate quickly. In winter and early spring, trips higher into the gorge depend on snow, ice and road conditions.

Interesting facts

• Barskoon is one of the most convenient gorges on the southern shore of Issyk-Kul for a short trip to waterfalls.
• The name appears in several forms: Barskoon, Barskoön, Barskaun and Barskon.
• The road through the gorge leads to Arabel Plateau, one of the most unusual high-mountain landscapes of Issyk-Kul Region.
• Monuments connected with Yuri Gagarin and Soviet space history can be found in the Barskoon area.
• Because of the proximity to Kumtor, water from the main river is usually not recommended for drinking without treatment; it is safer to use checked springs or bring water with you.

Gorge images

• Barskoon Gorge photos
• 
  Mountain slopes of the gorge
• 
  Rocky mountain massif of the gorge
• 
  Spruce forests of the gorge
• 
  Panorama of the gorge
• 
  View of Barskoon Gorge from the Arabel Plateau
• 
  Glaciers of the local mountains
• 
  Barskoon River
• 
  On the way to the Barskoon waterfalls
• 
  One of the waterfalls in the gorge
• 
  Monument to Yuri Gagarin

Author's note

Barskoon is a good place for travellers following the southern shore of Issyk-Kul who want to see not only beaches and villages, but also mountain nature. In a short time one can leave the lakeside road, enter the gorge, walk to waterfalls, see spruce forests and continue toward Arabel.

For a first visit, several hours are enough, but if you want to see the waterfalls calmly, go higher and avoid rushing, it is better to set aside almost a full day. Deeper into the gorge, travel should be planned with regard to weather, altitude and road condition: beyond the beautiful viewpoints, a real high-mountain zone begins quickly.