4K | Hiking Kolsay 2 (Middle Lake) in Almaty Kazakhstan

“Kolsay” means “Valley Lake” in the Kazakh language, for these freshwater lakes lie in a valley in the Northern Tien Shan Mountains some 300 kilometers from Almaty. The three lakes – Verkhneye (Upper), Mynzhylgy (Middle) and Nizhneye (Lower) - are located at 2,700, 2,250 and 1,800 meters above sea level, respectively. Each is fed by glacier water from the Kolsay River, which flows down from the Kungey Alatau Mountains. The lakes are known for their depth, which reaches up to 80 meters at Lower Kolsay Lake and 50 meters at Middle Kolsay Lake. Along parts of the shores, however, shallow spots void of crags may also be found.

All three lakes are located in the same valley but at different altitudes. The first lake is at a height of about 1800m asl. It looks like a “stretched mirror” along the gorge and has approximately 2 km in length (80m deep). The second lake also known as “Mynzhylgy” is at a height of 2000m above sea level, and the last one (Third lake) is located at 2500m. Well-marked trail leads up from the first to the second lake, it winds along the spruce forest and follows the river. There are a lot of shrubs under the canopy: various kinds of rose, cotoneaster with red and brown berries, red and black honeysuckle, currant of Meyer and raspberries. Blackberries, strawberries and bramble are often found in the riverside. By the steep slopes the river flows as series of small waterfalls: in such places the rocks along the stream are covered with moss. Here you have a chance to see the famous blue bird. In sunny days the forest is full of twittering of various birds like nutcrackers, grouse birds – a rapid predator Sparrow hawk hunts them. In the evening or in very bad weather a real owner of this place appears – a bear. 8-kilometers path leads us to the second lake, located at a height of 2000m asl. It has a diamond shape with small elongated bay, at the confluence of river Kolsayka. Sheer cliffs on three sides surround the lake and almost all the slopes are covered with deep spruce forest interspersed with ash trees. There are good places for tent camping on the north coast.