Karkaraly: pine forest and the Devil's Lake
Forested granite mountains rising out of the steppe, with a small dark lake at the top and a historic merchant town below.
- Region
- North & Centre
- Start from
- Karaganda
- Distance
- about 220 km
- Time needed
- 2 days
- Best season
- June – September
- Difficulty
- Moderate
- Transport
- Bus or car from Karaganda
- Permits
- National park entry fee
Why go
Karkaraly is an island of pine forest and granite hills in the dry steppe east of Karaganda. The national park offers easy hiking, cool air in summer and wide views across the plains.
A popular hike leads up to Shaitankol, the 'Devil's Lake', a small dark lake surrounded by rocks and trees, with plenty of local legends about it.
The small town of Karkaralinsk was once an important trading post and has old merchant houses, a mosque and a museum telling the region's history.
The story
A legend says the name Karkaraly comes from 'karkara', a woman's headdress decorated with feathers, lost by a girl in the mountains. Another version connects it to the shape of the mountains themselves.
In the nineteenth century, the area was famous for the Koyandy fair, one of the largest trade fairs in the Kazakh steppe, where merchants traded livestock, wool, fabrics and tea between the nomads and Russian and Central Asian traders. Karkaralinsk's merchant houses date from that time.
The town was also connected with the Alash movement of the early twentieth century, Kazakh intellectuals who campaigned for national autonomy.
Getting there
Buses run from Karaganda to Karkaralinsk; drive time is around three hours. From town, taxis or your own car take you to trailheads.
Some trails start right from the edge of town.
A suggested plan
- Day 1Arrive, visit the town museum and old streets, short walk in the forest.
- Day 2Hike to Shaitankol lake and the surrounding viewpoints, then return to Karaganda.
Where to stay
Guesthouses in Karkaralinsk and recreation centres in the park.
Good to know
- Mushroom and berry season in late summer is lovely.
- Trails are not always well marked; use an offline map.
- Ticks are active in late spring and early summer; check yourself after walks.
- Fires are strictly prohibited in the forest.