As part of leisure work with students for many years, the Recreation Geography and Tourism Department of the Geography and Environmental Sciences Faculty organizes weekend trips for university students on a regular basis. Hiking is one of the few activities that promises a lot of fun and entertainment. On September 17, 2023, a weekend hike to the Gorelnik waterfall was held for KazNU students. Under the guidance of trainers Beisakhmet A.A. and Mominov S.A. 37 students took part in the hike (26 first-year students, 8 second-year students, 3 third-year students).

The Gorelnik gorge is located close to Almaty and is very well suited for one-day mountain hikes. To get into it, you need to get to the high-mountain skating rink Medeu, then climb the dam and drive or walk 1.5 km along the road towards Shymbulak, turn right into the gorge. Some sources say that the name “Gorelnik” comes from the Kazakh word “kuygensay” or “burnt log”. However, the origin of the toponym is more plausible from the Kazakh word “kuigan” – “flowing” (the mouth of rivers or the confluence of two rivers). The Gorelnik gorge and its waterfalls are one of the picturesque and easily accessible places in the Almaty mountains. The route is not popular as Kok Zhailau, but it is interesting and beautiful. Tourists come to admire the waterfalls (Small and Large), and those who are especially brave swim under the icy water.

When tourists are full of strength and enthusiasm, walking to the beginning of the route is the best option. The most difficult thing is to climb the famous stairs to the Medeu Dam. When tourists reach the turn, a rural road awaits them. If you walk along it, then on the left side there is a forester’s house, and a little further there is a cliff and an iron bridge across the gorge. Near the cliff there is a path leading up. After a sharp rise, the trail became flatter and led tourists to the Gorelnik gorge. After resting at the waterfall, the tourists returned to the fork and, moving up the path, came out to the Eagle's Nest clearing, which offers a wonderful view of the gorge. In terms of organizational technique, the hike was not difficult. The route does not require special skills or equipment, but requires minimum requirements for the physical fitness and health of participants. The participants had to walk quite a lot. The duration of the hike was about 6 hours. Along the way, students observed beautiful mountain scenery. In the Gorelnik gorge, they ate sandwiches in the field, rested, and took photographs.

The weekend hike is linked to the Sustainable Development Goals: “Goal 3: Good Health and Well-Being” – ensuring healthy lives and promoting well-being for people at all ages; “Goal 15: Conservation of Terrestrial Ecosystems” – protects and restores terrestrial ecosystems and promotes their sustainable use.