Belogorka Gorge
Gorge along the Sokuluk River
Belogorka Gorge is located to the west of Ala-Archa Gorge in the Sokuluk District of the Chuy Region.
The gorge is situated southwest of Bishkek, at a distance of 72 km. On the Sokuluk plain to the west of Bishkek lies the village of Tash-Bulak (Stone Stream). It stretches widely along the Sokuluk River, which flows through alpine meadows and forested areas, showcasing a variety of wildlife. The village is still known to locals by its Soviet name, Belogorka, which was once a prosperous collective farm. Along the road in the gorge, you can try and buy the Kyrgyz national drink – kumys – in a yurt.
Belogorka Gorge is remarkable for its unusual relief, which bears traces of a massive landslide and features the highest waterfall in northern Kyrgyzstan, a 60-meter waterfall known as Belogorsky Waterfall. This unique place combines mountains, hills, steppe, and a blooming valley.
In general, Belogorka impresses with its scale. This gorge significantly differs from all others in the Northern Tien Shan with an abundance of high cliffs, the slopes of which are saturated with numerous springs and streams. Between the rocky ridges winds a turbulent yet narrow river, Sokuluk. The end of the road in the gorge reveals an impressive panorama of the waterfall cascading from a great height, nearly vertical cliffs, and the magnificent peak of Black Spire, notable for its unusual shape.
Belogorsky Waterfall is one of the highest waterfalls in the Tien Shan and the tallest in northern Kyrgyzstan. Water erupts from a height of 60 meters in a turbulent and full-flowing stream. The spray from the waterfall can be felt from about 200 meters away, and it is cold to stand near the waterfall even on the hottest day. The giant column of water formed by the waterfall is visible from 10-12 kilometers away. The waterfall is located at an altitude of 2100 meters above sea level, and nearby there are three smaller waterfalls.
The best time of year to visit Belogorka is late August and early September. It is during this period that raspberries, strawberries, and even blackberries ripen. Additionally, there is a great variety of herbs during this time. You can gather medicinal herbs such as wild thyme, thyme, and others. Hawthorn, wild currants, barberry, and rose hips grow here.
Among the mountains, there is a trail leading to the Kochkor - Suusamyr highway, which was once used for driving flocks of sheep across the mountains. Currently, it is not used as it is mostly impassable. There is a route between the Sokuluk and Ala-Archa gorges via the Ozerny Pass, located at an altitude of 3900 meters above sea level.
