Jeti-Oguz Gorge

Jeti-Oguz Gorge is located on the southern shore of Lake Issyk-Kul, about 20 km west of Karakol. The attractions of the gorge can be divided into two clusters. The first is located near the village of Jeti-Oguz, is easily accessible by any car, and includes the famous Broken Heart rock, the Seven Bulls rock formation (which is what Jeti-Oguz means in translation), and a spectacular side gorge with towering red sandstone cliffs. From the village, an unpaved road follows the river deeper into the main gorge, where the scenic high-altitude Kök-Zhayyk pasture opens up. Not far from the pasture, hidden in a dense forest, is the Maiden's Braids waterfall. Jeti-Oguz is an excellent destination for a day trip from Karakol or a stop on a journey along the southern shore of Issyk-Kul. It is easy to reach and offers an impressive variety of landscapes in one place: red cliffs, a mountain river, forest, green pastures and a waterfall.

From the highway along the southern shore of Issyk-Kul, turn towards the village of Jeti-Oguz. As of August 2026, the highway between Barskoon and Karakol is still undergoing extensive reconstruction, and driving along this section can be difficult. The road from the highway to the village is in good condition. From there, you can either leave your car in the village, explore the attractions of the first cluster, and then continue deeper into the gorge on foot (several kilometres), or, if you have a suitable vehicle and wish to do so, drive all the way to the Kök-Zhayyk pasture. The waterfall is only a short walk from the pasture.

None of the routes in Jeti-Oguz require special physical preparation. The trail to the waterfall is steeper, but it is still quite comfortable to walk. Trekking poles are recommended on this section, especially near the waterfall itself, although it is possible to manage without them. If you have very little time, Jeti-Oguz is still worth visiting just for the attractions near the village. Even without going to the pasture or the waterfall, the gorge is well worth a visit.

Park at the point marked on the map as a parking area and walk up the unpaved road to the viewpoint for the best view of the Seven Bulls and Broken Heart. Broken Heart can also be photographed from the road leading to the village. Return to the parking area and walk back a short distance to explore the right tributary of the Jeti-Oguz River, which has carved its way through the red cliffs. Then continue deeper into the main gorge, either on foot or by car, to the Kök-Zhayyk pasture. From there, hike up to the waterfall, and remember to look back from time to time to enjoy the view of the pasture from the winding trail above it.