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Ice Climbing Locations near Almaty
Routes · Conditions · Access guide
Guide by Konstantin Markevich
A concise guide to the most popular frozen waterfalls and ice climbing locations near Almaty, including route information, seasonal conditions, access and difficulty levels.
In 2024 and 2025, we developed these locations with bolt-in anchor stations for rappelling and top-rope climbing, as well as several mixed and drytooling routes. This made climbing here safer, more accessible and more enjoyable.
The ice climbing season in Almaty usually runs from December to February, depending on temperature and ice conditions.
A concise guide to the most popular frozen waterfalls and ice climbing locations near Almaty, including route information, seasonal conditions, access and difficulty levels.
In 2024 and 2025, we developed these locations with bolt-in anchor stations for rappelling and top-rope climbing, as well as several mixed and drytooling routes. This made climbing here safer, more accessible and more enjoyable.
The ice climbing season in Almaty usually runs from December to February, depending on temperature and ice conditions.
Ice climbing locations
Butakovskiy Waterfall
Butakovskiy Waterfall is a picturesque ice climbing location near Almaty. We developed drytooling and mixed routes here and also hold our ice climbing and drytooling festival, Almatymixt.
This is also the main training location for our guided ice climbing program in Almaty — Ice Climbing in Almaty.
Ice conditions here are variable. In cold periods, the waterfall can be climbed with ice screws, but when temperatures are not low enough, the ice may become unstable. Even in poor ice conditions, climbing is still possible on top rope using anchor stations No. 1 and No. 2. We often leave a fixed rope in place for access to these stations throughout the ice climbing season. Alternatively, they can be reached by leading bolted drytooling and mixed routes No. 1 and No. 3.
This is also the main training location for our guided ice climbing program in Almaty — Ice Climbing in Almaty.
Ice conditions here are variable. In cold periods, the waterfall can be climbed with ice screws, but when temperatures are not low enough, the ice may become unstable. Even in poor ice conditions, climbing is still possible on top rope using anchor stations No. 1 and No. 2. We often leave a fixed rope in place for access to these stations throughout the ice climbing season. Alternatively, they can be reached by leading bolted drytooling and mixed routes No. 1 and No. 3.
Location
Approach
Altitude
Waterfall height
Difficulty level
Best for
Approach
Altitude
Waterfall height
Difficulty level
Best for
Butakovskiy gorge
40 minutes by car from the city center, 45-60 minutes walk from parking
2159 m
20 m
WI-3–WI-6
Beginners to experienced climbers; ice, drytooling, mixed; top-rope and lead
40 minutes by car from the city center, 45-60 minutes walk from parking
2159 m
20 m
WI-3–WI-6
Beginners to experienced climbers; ice, drytooling, mixed; top-rope and lead
- Location — Butakovskiy gorge
- Approach — 40 minutes by car from the city center, 45-60 minutes walk from parking
- Altitude — 2159 m
- Waterfall height — 20 m
- Difficulty level — WI-3–WI-6
- Best for — Beginners to experienced climbers; ice, drytooling, mixed; top-rope and lead
1 - D5 (bolted route) - 13 quickdraws.
2 - Bolted anchor station for rappelling and climbing with top rope.
3 - M8 (bolted route) - 12 quickdraws. It is recommended to clip the first 1-2 quickdraws with a stick.
2 - Bolted anchor station for rappelling and climbing with top rope.
3 - M8 (bolted route) - 12 quickdraws. It is recommended to clip the first 1-2 quickdraws with a stick.
Black Waterfall
The condition of the ice varies greatly from season to season here. Most often, it is leaking and thin, making it difficult or impossible to protect with ice screws. The steepness of the ice is from 70° to 90°. There is a bolted line for protection in poor ice conditions and three bolted anchor station for rappelling and climbing with top rope.
Warning: this location can be avalanche-prone in unfavorable snow conditions.
Warning: this location can be avalanche-prone in unfavorable snow conditions.
Location
Approach
Altitude
Waterfall height
Difficulty level
Best for
Approach
Altitude
Waterfall height
Difficulty level
Best for
Maloalmatinskoe (Small Almaty) gorge
30 minutes walk from Tuyuk-Su alpine camp. Or 1.5 hours from the city center to Shymbulak and 1-1.5 hours walk
2650 m
45 m
WI-3—WI-6
Experienced climbers; ice, mixed; lead
30 minutes walk from Tuyuk-Su alpine camp. Or 1.5 hours from the city center to Shymbulak and 1-1.5 hours walk
2650 m
45 m
WI-3—WI-6
Experienced climbers; ice, mixed; lead
- Location — Maloalmatinskoe (Small Almaty) gorge
- Approach — 30 minutes walk from Tuyuk-Su alpine camp. Or 1.5 hours from the city center to Shymbulak and 1-1.5 hours walk
- Altitude — 2650 m
- Waterfall height — 45 m
- Difficulty level — WI-3—WI-6
- Best for —Experienced climbers; ice, mixed; lead
1 - 30 m. 9 quickdraws.
2 - 15 m. 6 quickdraws.
2 - 15 m. 6 quickdraws.
Girlish Tears Waterfall
The most accessible and beginner-friendly waterfall near Almaty. Ice conditions are usually stable here, and the waterfall can often be climbed safely with ice screws.
There is a bolted anchor station for rappelling and top-rope climbing.
There is a bolted anchor station for rappelling and top-rope climbing.
Location
Approach
Altitude
Waterfall height
Difficulty level
Best for
Approach
Altitude
Waterfall height
Difficulty level
Best for
Prokhodnoe gorge
40 minutes by car from the city center, 25 minutes walk from parking
1800 m
35 m
WI-1—WI-2
Beginners; ice; top-rope and lead
40 minutes by car from the city center, 25 minutes walk from parking
1800 m
35 m
WI-1—WI-2
Beginners; ice; top-rope and lead
- Location — Prokhodnoe gorge
- Approach — 40 minutes by car from the city center, 25 minutes walk from parking
- Altitude — 1800 m
- Waterfall height — 35 m
- Difficulty level — WI-1—WI-2
- Best for — Beginners; ice; top-rope and lead
1 - Bolted anchor station for rappelling and climbing with top rope.
Want to try ice climbing near Almaty?
Join our Ice Climbing in Almaty one-day guided program at a frozen waterfall. This safe beginner-friendly course is led by a professional guide and includes all special equipment. You will learn how to use crampons and ice tools, practice basic ice climbing technique, and climb safely on top rope.
Join our Ice Climbing in Almaty one-day guided program at a frozen waterfall. This safe beginner-friendly course is led by a professional guide and includes all special equipment. You will learn how to use crampons and ice tools, practice basic ice climbing technique, and climb safely on top rope.