Barskoon starts near the village of the same name on Issyk-Kul's southern shore and runs for about 30 km into the Terskey Ala-Too. It is one of the best-known gorges on the south shore: steppe grasses and shrubs near the entrance, then Tian Shan spruce, juniper and views toward snowy peaks higher up. The main reason to visit is the waterfall chain, with falls carrying names such as Tears of the Leopard, Beard of the Aksakal, Splashes of Champagne and Cup of Manas. Along the road there are also monuments connected with Yuri Gagarin: after his space flight he rested on the southern shore of Issyk-Kul, and Barskoon became one of the area's recognizable stops. The road through the gorge continues toward high plateaus and the Kumtor gold mine. For a standard trip, treat the lower gorge and waterfalls as a half-day or day outing; check weather, road condition and any local restrictions separately before continuing toward the upper passes or remote side roads.
Barskoon Gorge
Барскоон · Барскоон
A south-shore Issyk-Kul gorge with spruce slopes, a chain of waterfalls and a road climbing through the Terskey Ala-Too toward the high plateau.
- road trip
- photo spot
- tent camping ok
- Region
- Issyk-Kul
- Type
- Gorge
- Altitude
- 1753 m
- When to go
- spring, summer, autumn
- How long
- one day
- Road
- gravel
- 4×4
- recommended
- Guide
- not needed
- Permit
- not required — No permit was confirmed for the standard lower-gorge/waterfall visit; check upper roads toward the plateau and industrial areas separately. · how to get one
- Mobile signal
- weak signal — Mobile coverage in the gorge is only partial; expect interruptions deeper in the mountains.
- Coordinates
- 42.156, 77.604
Show on the map → Directions: 2GIS · Yandex Maps · Google Maps · OpenStreetMap
Safety
Treat river water before drinking: open travel materials specifically advise against drinking it without boiling. The road continues toward Kumtor and high passes, so do not continue beyond the waterfall area without checking weather, unpaved-road condition, fuel and local restrictions.
Fees & prices
No general gorge entry fee was confirmed in the sources found. Local cafes/yurts and services are paid separately. Checked: July 2026.
What to bring
Shoes with good grip, a wind layer, water or a filter/stove, cash for yurt cafes, sun protection and extra time for the unpaved road.
Facilities
- cafe
- camping
- parking
Photos
Nearby
- Skazka (Fairy Tale) Canyon — A compact red-orange canyon on Issyk-Kul's south shore, good for a 1-2 hour wander among eroded ridges, lake views and a vivid road-trip stop.
- Jeti-Oguz — A red-rock gorge southwest of Karakol, known for the Seven Bulls and Broken Heart formations, a mineral-springs resort and hikes toward waterfalls.
- Karakol — The main base for eastern Issyk-Kul: a mountain town where travellers stage treks, ski days, hot-spring trips, Dungan food experiences and slow walks through Karakol's historic streets.
Sources
- Barskoon Gorge — Too.kg — Южный берег Иссык-Куля, длина около 30 км, водопады, грунтовая дорога, частичная связь, юрты-кафе, вода требует кипячения
- Barskoon Gorge — Trip to Kyrgyzstan — 80 км от Каракола, 30 км длины, ели/можжевельник, водопады, дорога к Кумтору, памятники Гагарину
- Barskoon — Wikipedia — Координаты и высота села, южный берег Иссык-Куля, A363, долина к Ala-Bel/верхнему Нарыну, дорога A364 и Кумтор
Verified: July 12, 2026 (AI, from open sources).