Location: Fairy Tale Canyon (Skazka), Kyrgyzstan
Distance: 1.3 miles (loop)
Peak Elevation: 5,840′
Elevation Gain: 143′
Trip Length: 1 to 2 hours
Difficulty: Easy
Between Issyk Kul Lake and the Tian Shan Mountains, Skazka Canyon is a magical place that translates to Fairy Tale Canyon. Fairy Tale Canyon’s red rock terrain stands out in a land of snowy peaks, turquoise glacial lakes, and green hills. The land displays stunning vermilion, ochre, and rust color tones. Erosive forces of wind, water, and tectonic uplift continuously reshape the sedimentary rocks. The next time you are in Kyrgyzstan, you must visit Fairy Tale Canyon.
Fairly Odd Rock Formations | Chinese Wall | Legend of the Dragon and the Girl | Photos
Fairly Odd Rock Formations of Fairy Tale Canyon
On the road by Issyk Kul’s southern shore, your eyes shift back and forth between the lake and mountains. Breaking up this rhythm are the rosy hills of the Tian Shan Mountains with their narrow ravines and valleys. As you drive up the road to Fairy Tale Canyon, the resemblance to landscapes in the American Southwest is uncanny.
There are vibrant hoodoos (red and orange spires of weathered rock) and otherworldly rock formations. Near the entrance, there is a pink wall of conical wizard hats. You can follow the trails, but this is the perfect place to get lost and wander in any direction. There is one formation that looks like a big tortoise. Let your imagination run wild.
A Chinese Wall in Fairy Tale Canyon
The Chinese Wall is the most prominent rock formation in the canyon. It really does look like the Great Wall with a jagged walkway along the top.
An influencer in a long flowing white dress with a drone is choreographing an elaborate photo shoot above the peak.
A couple of us scramble up a steep chute. It is extremely gravelly and slippery. With my road running shoes, each step feels like you are walking on ball bearings. Remember to bring footwear with solid traction. Most of the way up is rather straightforward. The last climb near the top is exhilarating and may cause your leg to tremble a bit. There is a sharp drop off at the top where you need to get on all fours. Be careful on the way down since it is just as slick in either direction. At least you have boulders and the wall that you can grab a hold of.
Legend of the Dragon and the Girl
Legend has it that back in the olden days, there were many rich and powerful cities in the valley. One day, a giant red dragon fell in love with a very beautiful girl from the wealthiest city. After she refused his marriage proposal, the dragon swore to destroy the cities. Every full moon, the dragon used magic to cause the wells in the cities to rise and flood the valley. The citizens took turns covering all the wells with giant golden lids.
Tired of this never-ending effort, the dragon fell into a deep sleep. One night, the girl forgot to cover her well. The water spilled out across the valley flooding all of the cities and forming Issyk Kul Lake. This finally startled the dragon from its long slumber. Mesmerized by the beauty of the lake, the dragon laid down on the southern shore and turned to stone. And that kids, is how Fairy Tale Canyon was created.
If you look very closely, on a clear day, you can still see the dragon’s backbone and tail. There may be some truth to this story since archaeologists have found ancient settlements in the lake.
Photos
