Barskoon waterfall, Natural cascade in Jeti-Oguz District, Kyrgyzstan.

Barskoon waterfall is a natural cascade in Jeti-Oguz District that drops about 24 meters and forms multiple tiers through rocky mountain formations. The water flows through narrow rock passages as it descends into the valleys of central Kyrgyzstan's highlands.

Barskoon Waterfall was designated a geological protected area and national monument in 1975. The site lies on a tributary of the Barskoon river, 20 km south of Barskoon village and 90 km southwest of Karakol. The main cascade falls 24 metres from a vertical ledge of Carboniferous slate.

Local legend says the cascade formed from the tears of a female leopard weeping over her cubs after they fell from a cliff. The Kyrgyz name is Барскоон шаркыратмасы. The site is a rest and excursion spot for tourists, and in 1962 Yuri Gagarin, the first cosmonaut, visited it.

The path to the waterfall starts from Barskoon village, located about 90 kilometers southwest of Karakol, with parking available at the trailhead. It's wise to check conditions before hiking, as weather can affect path accessibility and water flow.

The trail area features unexpected monuments including a Soviet truck on a pedestal and a bust of cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin near the waterfall path. These monuments add a surprising historical layer that visitors often pass by without noticing.