Berulu Lake (Kok-Kol)

Lake Beryulyu (also known as Kok-Köl or Blue Lake) is located in a side branch of the Sokuluk Gorge, near the town of Sokuluk on the Bishkek–Kara-Balta highway. The water level in the lake fluctuates significantly throughout the year; the best time to visit is from late April to the first half of June. By mid-summer, the lake may completely or almost completely disappear. The route to the lake from the village of Beryulyu can be classified as moderate, with an elevation gain of about 450 meters. The area along the trail is very scenic, rich in greenery, and offers magnificent views of red sandstone cliffs on both sides of the road. This is an excellent destination for a day trip in late spring or early summer.

Leave Bishkek heading west along the Kara-Balta highway (the continuation of Chuy Avenue). In Sokuluk, immediately after crossing the bridge over the river of the same name, turn left onto a road heading south along the left (western) bank of the river. In Belogorka, turn left again following your navigator toward the bridge over the Sokuluk River. From there, only about 1.5 km of road passable by a regular car remains. At the marked end point of the drivable route, there is a spacious area where you can conveniently park your car. If you are driving an SUV, it makes sense to continue a bit farther, approximately to this point. This allows you to cross several small fords by car and avoid crossing them on foot. Beyond that, the road turns right through another ford, while the trail to the lake continues along the right (orographic) bank of the stream and does not require crossing it again.

If you start walking from the point marked as the end of the car route, you will need to ford the stream several times. The water level varies depending on the season and precipitation, but you should be prepared for the fact that it is unlikely you’ll be able to cross “dry” on stones. We recommend bringing separate footwear (for example, water shoes or sandals) and advise against crossing barefoot due to sharp stones. At the beginning of the route, snakes can be encountered in the grass, so please be cautious.

Starting from the parking area, follow the dirt road, which crosses the stream several times. It is possible to avoid the fords by walking along the right (orographic) bank of the stream, next to a water pipeline, but there is no well-established trail there. After leaving the road (it goes to the left bank), continue ascending along the same right bank of the stream, following the clearly visible bright red sandstone cliffs. The slope varies from gentle to quite steep, especially when climbing the moraine that holds back the lake. Pace yourself, take breaks as needed, and bring enough drinking water. Upon reaching the lake, assess your energy level: if you feel up to it, take a short walk around the lake to see it from different perspectives. You can also climb higher along the stream flowing into the lake to admire it from above.