Almaty State Nature Reserve
Almaty State Nature Reserve, Nature reserve in Tianshan Mountains, Kazakhstan
Description
Almaty State Nature Reserve is a protected area in the Tianshan Mountains of southern Kazakhstan, covering an extensive high-mountain terrain. The landscape shifts from forested valleys with apple trees and conifers up to rocky ridges and ice fields.
History
The first protection efforts began in the early 1930s when scientists recognized the need to preserve the mountain ecosystems. Three decades later, the area received its official reserve status and became part of the republican network of protected territories.
Culture
Residents of Almaty rely on the area as a vital water source, with melting glaciers feeding several rivers that flow into the city. Hikers often encounter rangers and researchers monitoring wildlife populations and explaining to visitors how the different altitude zones connect.
Practical
Most routes require good physical fitness as they pass through steep and sometimes rugged terrain. Those exploring the upper altitude zones should prepare for rapid weather changes and bring warm clothing.
Did you know?
In the Talgar section, rivers carve narrow canyons with roaring waterfalls that cut through green rock ledges. Many visitors overlook small caves along the riverbanks where bats and rare insects live.
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Big Almaty Lake
31.6 km
Issyk kurgan
33.6 km
Statue of Abay Kunanbayev in Almaty
37.6 km
Ile-Alatau National Park
16.7 km
Almaty Tower
35.6 km
Shymbulak Cableway
27.1 km
Almaty Zoo
37.5 km
Kok Zhailau
30.3 km
Palace of the Republic
37.5 km
Kamenskoe Plateau Observatory
34.2 km
Tien Shan Astronomical Observatory
32.6 km
Bear falls
35.3 km
Medeu tract
26.8 km
Butakovsky gorge
32.2 kmThe Beatles Monument
35.8 km
Pioneer Palace, Almaty
37.2 km
Кырчын
34.8 km
Oktyabrskaya cave
21.1 km
Jambulu Jabayev Haykali
36.7 km
Gorodetsky Glacier
27.9 km
Kairak falls
31.4 km
Almatinskaya Oblast' Yenbekshikazakhskiy Rayon Selo Baiterek
36.8 km
Lednik Aksu
35.1 km
Ledovoye Pole "Medeu"
26.3 km
Lednik Sapozhnikova
28.6 km
Monument to Gani Muratbaev
37.3 km
Natural Monument "Chinturgen firry grove"
28.8 km
Medeu regional nature park
24.6 kmDiscover hidden gems everywhere you go!
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