Kyrgyzstan: Boirok Grove
Кыргызстан: Бишкек берозовая роща
Boirok Grove is a very easy hike near Bishkek with incredible golden foliage in fall.
Total Km: 6km
Total Days: 1
Elevation Gain/Loss: 478m+ / 478m-
Start Point: Kashka-Suu
End Point: Kashka-Suu
GPS Files
Boirok grove (better known locally in Russian as berezovaya roscha) has become among the most popular dayhikes in Kyrgyzstan in recent years, particularly amongst Bishkek residents but increasingly among international visitors as well. A little more than an hour drive from the city to the trailhead, on autumn weekends the area is popular enough that you should expect crowds.
From the parking the trail climbs steeply to the south along a dusty hillside, worn by the passing of many daytrippers’ feet. Views slowly unfold back towards Kaskha-Suu and Bishkek from the beginning of the walk until, after about 1.5km, the trail follows the contour of the hill and turns in towards a small gully – presenting as it does wonderful views of the eponymous birch grove in all its splendor.
Follow the well-defined track for around 1km as it decends slowly to the gully, crossing the small stream and then climbing briefly back up the far side. At this point the trail enters the grove itself, and at busy times the small clearing here is popular with young people take photos of themselves and each other. Continue a little further to a larger clearing that is a common stopping point, where likely as not somebody will be cooking a shashlyk picnic for their group.
It is possible to continue exploring beyond this point, but there is no real defined trail going forward and mostly this is just an excuse to wander the birch grove a little more or climb the far hillside for views back down the valley.
Enjoy the atmosphere of this lovely place and, when you’ve had enough, retrace the same trail back to the beginning and your transport.
Good To Know
Getting to the Boirok Grove
The hike to Boirok Grove starts at the end of a dirt road above the village of Kashka-Suu. Just look for the group of cars on fall weekends, or follow the road that curves south out of the Nauk dacha complex and climbs pretty gently up the hillside to the GPS start location.
Marshrutka 265 from near Bishkek’s Osh Bazaar runs to the village of Kashka-Suu, from which it’s around 3km walk to the starting point of the GPS track. More often, visitors will travel with local tour firms for a nominal sum on weekend group tours out of the city.
Costs and Practicalities
As the trail here doesn’t enter Ala-Archa National Park via the main gate there is no entrance fee charged (as of writing in 2023, at any rate). If you don’t have your own transportation, tour operators like Trekking Union Kyrgyzstan and Kettik offer weekend trips for 500som or so including round-trip transfers from Bishkek. However, all instructions will likely be in Russian so you’ll need to be prepared to translate important information such as where to meet in the morning and when to regroup for the departure to Bishkek.
Where to Stay and Eat near Boirok Grove
There are no concessions in Boirok – though it wouldn’t be a massive surprise if somebody eventually decides to set this up at the trailhead or in the grove itself – so bring everything you’ll need for the day.
The trailhead is close enough to Bishkek that it’s commonly done as a daytrip from the city, though those looking to linger might consider Olive Hotel in Kashka-Suu or pressing on into Ala-Archa National Park to stay at the alplager.
Have a look at our other treks in Kyrgyzstan for more ideas, and don’t forget to save and share!
