Terrenkur is a favorite route among Almaty residents for morning jogs or evening walks: an asphalt trail runs alongside the sound of flowing water, with benches and exercise equipment spaced at regular intervals. The distinctive feature is that the path gradually rises toward the foothills — and at the end, a view opens up that makes leaving home worthwhile. You can start the route from two sides: from the top — from the Muztau stop on buses No. 12 and 29, from the bottom — from Abaya metro station and then on buses No. 5, 5A, or 5B. You can walk in either direction: downhill is easier, uphill provides better training.
The trail was built in 1974 specifically for therapeutic purposes. The name itself comes from the French "terrain de cure" — meaning "healing landscape" — and essentially refers to measured walking along a marked route for health improvement. The trail stretches 4.5 km, with an elevation gain of nearly 200 meters from start to finish, ranging from 876 to 1,058 meters above sea level, so a light workout happens naturally, without special effort. For the next fifty years, the route remained virtually unchanged. Only in August 2025 did the terrenkur undergo its first major reconstruction in two decades: the surface was renewed, modern workout equipment was installed, and tennis and chess tables were added along the route.
The route runs along the Malaya Almatinka River — through forested sections, past viewpoints with views of the mountains and city. Almaty has another similar terrenkur, newer, along the Essentai River, but this one, along the Malaya Almatinka, is considered the classic route. After the reconstruction, the trail has become far more multifunctional than just a walking path: now you can stop and play a game of chess, exercise on equipment, or have a tennis match — all integrated directly into the route. Benches are placed frequently enough that the route is manageable even for those not in peak fitness condition. Early morning is the best time: the air is still cool and the trail is not crowded with people. For those walking it for the first time, it's worth choosing the uphill direction from the bottom — this way the view of the city gradually unfolds, and the final section before the foothills becomes a reward for the walk.