Issyk-Kul · Kyrgyzstan
Skazka Canyon
Skazka, Russian for fairy tale, is a small canyon of eroded red and ochre clay and sandstone near the village of Tosor on the southern shore of Issyk-Kul, at about 1,700 m. Wind and rain have shaped its ridges into towers and walls, explored on short unmarked paths in one to two hours. A small entry fee is paid in cash. The canyon is dry and exposed, so spring and autumn are more comfortable than midsummer. It lies beside the south-shore road, about 30 km east of Bokonbaevo.
- Region
- Issyk-Kul
- Altitude
- 1,700 m
- Roads
- Any car
Skazka, Russian for fairy tale, is a small canyon of eroded clay and sandstone set just inland from the southern shore of Issyk-Kul, near the village of Tosor and at about 1,700 m. Wind and rain have cut the soft red, ochre and grey layers into towers, fins and short ridges, and the whole formation is compact enough to walk through in an hour or two. It is the standard stop on any drive along the south shore and fits easily into a day with Tamga or Bokonbaevo.
Walking in the canyon
There is no single marked route. Paths braid up the dry gullies from the parking area and climb onto the ridges, and most visitors spend one to two hours wandering out and returning a different way. The ridges give the wide views over the lake and the Kungey range beyond it; the gullies give the strange shapes close up. The clay is soft and crumbles underfoot, so stay off the steepest faces, which erode quickly and drop further than they look. Nothing in the canyon offers shade.
When to go
Spring and autumn are the most comfortable seasons. The canyon is dry and exposed and reflects the heat, which makes midsummer afternoons hard work; early morning and the last hour before sunset are cooler and better for the colour of the rock. The road is open all year, so a winter visit is possible when the shore road is clear, but the clay turns slick and heavy after rain or melting snow.
Getting there
The canyon lies beside the main south shore road, with the last two kilometres or so on a dirt track. By car it is about 40 minutes from Bokonbaevo, 34 km to the west, and about 35 minutes from Tamga, 20 km to the east. Coming from Karakol it sits along the way west: the full run from Karakol to Bokonbaevo is 134 km and about 3 hours, and the canyon is a stop on it. The track in is fine for an ordinary car when dry and much less so after heavy rain.
Practical notes
A small entry fee is collected at the track and it is paid in cash, in som, so arrive with notes. Wear shoes with grip, because the clay is loose on the slopes, and carry water. There is nowhere to stay at the canyon itself: travellers base themselves in Tamga, Tosor or Bokonbaevo, in guesthouses and yurt camps, or come out for the day from Karakol.
Good to know
Questions travellers ask
- How long do you need at Skazka canyon?
- One to two hours is normal. The paths are short and unmarked, running up the dry gullies from the parking area and onto the ridges above them, so most people simply wander for a while and come back by a different line. Photographers who want the low light stay longer, arriving early in the morning or towards sunset.
- Is there an entrance fee for Skazka canyon?
- Yes, a small fee is collected on the track in. It is paid in cash in Kyrgyz som, so bring notes with you: cards are not taken and there is nowhere nearby to withdraw money. It is worth carrying small change for this and for the other paid stops along the southern shore of Issyk-Kul.
- How do you get to Skazka canyon?
- The canyon sits just off the main south shore road near Tosor, with the final two kilometres or so on a dirt track. From Bokonbaevo it is 34 km and about 40 minutes by car; from Tamga it is 20 km and about 35 minutes. An ordinary car manages the track in dry weather, but it gets awkward after heavy rain.
- When is the best time to visit Skazka canyon?
- Spring and autumn are the most comfortable, since the canyon is dry, exposed and completely without shade. In midsummer go early in the morning or in the last hour of daylight. The road stays open through the year, so winter visits are possible when the shore road is clear, though wet clay after rain or snowmelt makes the slopes slippery.
- Can you visit Skazka canyon from Karakol?
- Yes, it lies on the south shore road west of Karakol and is a straightforward stop on a day out. The full drive from Karakol to Bokonbaevo is 134 km and about 3 hours, and the canyon is part of that route, so it is usually combined with Tamga, the Barskoon gorge or an eagle hunting demonstration at Bokonbaevo.
- Is Skazka canyon suitable for children?
- The distances are short and the walking is easy on the gully floors, so families manage it without trouble. The caution is the terrain rather than the effort: the clay is loose, the ridge tops have unfenced drops, and there is no shade at all. Keep to the lower paths with small children and take water and hats.
Kyrgyzstan
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