Ala-Archa National Park

Ala-Archa cuts into the Kyrgyz Ala-Too range immediately south of the capital, which makes it the most accessible mountain country in the country: a paved road runs up the gorge to a car park at 2,100 metres, and from there trails climb in every direction. The standard walks are the Ak-Sai gorge to a waterfall and on to the Ratsek hut at 3,300 metres below the glacier, a hard day up and back, and the gentler Ala-Archa river path through juniper and spruce. Above the huts are peaks over 4,800 metres and glaciers that mountaineers use as a training ground; the Soviet-era climbing school here trained generations. Marmots whistle on the slopes and ibex live higher up. Because it is so close to Bishkek, weekends are busy and weekdays are not.

What you actually see

• The Ak-Sai gorge - the climb to the waterfall and the glacier hut.
• Spruce and juniper forest - the lower gorge along the river.
• Glaciers and high peaks - the range above 4,000 metres at the head.
• Marmots - whistling colonies on the open slopes.

When to go

June to September for the high trails, with July and August most reliable. Snow closes the upper routes from October to May, though the lower gorge is walkable in winter and used for ski touring.

Honest expectations

The Ak-Sai climb gains 1,200 metres and takes most people six to eight hours return; altitude is felt. Weather changes fast and snow falls in summer at the hut. Facilities are a car park, a few cafes and basic huts. Weekends bring crowds from the capital.

Nearby

Alamedin gorge lies east; Bishkek is north.