Abshir-Ata Waterfall

Abshir-Ata is unusual because the water does not run over the lip of the cliff but shoots out of a hole in the rock face partway up, an underground river emerging under pressure and falling some fifteen metres into a pool. The site sits at the head of a green gorge with walnut and fruit trees, and it is a place of pilgrimage as much as a scenic stop: the spring is considered holy, offerings are left, and the ata in the name marks it as a sacred ancestor site. Families come to picnic and to bathe in the pool, believing the water beneficial. There are cafes and a mosque at the road head. It is a straightforward outing from Osh and one of the more popular local excursions in the south.

What you actually see

• Water from the cliff - the fall bursting out of a hole in the rock.
• The pool - bathing water below the fall.
• Pilgrim offerings - cloths and gifts left at the sacred spring.
• The green gorge - walnut and fruit trees in the valley below.

When to go

May to October. Flow is strongest after snowmelt in late spring. Weekends and holidays bring large local crowds; weekdays are quieter. Winter access is possible but the road is poor.

Honest expectations

This is an active religious site, so behaviour and dress matter more than at a purely scenic spot. Weekend crowds are heavy and litter is a problem. The road in is rough in the final stretch. Facilities are basic cafes.

Nearby

Kyrgyz-Ata national park lies east; Osh is northeast.