Resorts & AdventuresResorts & AdventuresPhoto: LennartLeeHolm, CC BY-SA 4.0 · source
Gorelnik is a hot hydrogen sulfide and radon thermal spring located in the Ile-Alatau National Park, just three kilometers above Medeu. The only way to get there is on foot uphill, which takes 40–60 minutes. Entrance is free. On site there are two barrels with hot and cold water, shower facilities, and a small visitor center where tea is served: the setup is simple, without spa ceremonies or unnecessary amenities. The springs operate year-round, but in winter the trail becomes icy, so it's worth wearing sturdy footwear and not expecting an easy walk in sneakers.
The springs emerge at the surface in a zone of deep tectonic faults on the northern slope of the Zailiysky Alatau — this explains their composition: hydrocarbonate-sulfate-sodium water containing radon, silicic acid, and hydrogen sulfide. The water was discovered through a well 250 meters deep, and now it rises naturally — up to 800 cubic meters per day, with a temperature of around 27°C at the source. In 2016, the spring underwent reconstruction: the barrels, showers, and visitor center were refurbished. After the reconstruction, the number of visitors increased several times — on some days, 500 to 800 people make the climb, despite the fact that access is only on foot.
The mineral composition of the springs is compared to the waters of the French Pyrenees — an unexpectedly high standard for a place that requires an hour's hike from the nearest bus stop. For those wanting more than just bathing, it's worth continuing further up the canyon. On the Gorelnik River there are two waterfalls. The first is modest, about five meters high, at the entrance to the canyon, at an elevation of around 2050 meters. The second is much more impressive — about twenty meters high, already in the upper reaches, at an elevation of almost 2460 meters. Trails from here lead further on — to the peaks of Chasovaya and Pribornaya, and for especially well-prepared hikers — to the alpine Lake Titova at an elevation of almost 3500 meters. Gorelnik works well both as a standalone easy walk of a couple hours and as a starting point for a more serious hiking trip. Some reach the water barrels and turn back, while others head into the mountains for the whole day.