Terrencourt in autumn tone

Here, under the rustle of falling leaves and the measured murmur of water, time seems to slow down, allowing you to touch the living breath of nature and feel its quiet elusive beauty.

Almaty Terrenkur is one of the iconic natural and health trails. Its history begins in 1974. Located in the Medeu district of the city, it was created as a space for active recreation, health promotion and harmonious unity of man with nature. Riding among the picturesque mountain slopes and green spaces, Terrenkur combines the natural beauty of the foothills of the Trans-Ili Alatau and the beneficial effects of hiking on the human body.

The very concept of Terrenkur comes from the French word terrain - "locality" and the German kur - "treatment". Terrenkur is a special method of physical therapy, based on metered walking on rough terrain with a gradual change in the height and level of physical activity. This type of motor activity helps to strengthen the cardiovascular and respiratory systems, develop endurance and maintain the overall tone of the body.

Over the years of its existence, Almaty Terrenkur has become not just a route for health walks, but also an important part of the urban environment, a place of rest for residents and guests of Almaty. It combines the natural heritage of the city, the culture of a healthy lifestyle and the opportunity to escape from the daily bustle, enjoying the fresh air, silence and beauty of the surrounding landscape.

However, over time, the territory was in private ownership, and the trail itself for more than 20 years did not receive full-fledged repairs and necessary improvement. It was only after its return to the ownership of the city that it became possible to draw attention again to its state and importance for the urban environment. Today, this trail is of interest not only as a walking route, but also as part of the history of Almaty. So, in August 2025, the main section of Terrencourt passed the first major update in a long time. During the improvement, new pedestrian wooden overpasses and modern infrastructure elements appeared - children's and sports grounds, amphitheaters and additional recreation areas. The work carried out allowed to expand opportunities for walking, sports, family leisure and social events, increasing the comfort and functionality of the park area.

However, this year, 2026, the Akimat of Almaty continued projects on the improvement of the Terrenkur in the direction of the Medeu tract, which caused active discussions and monitoring by environmental organizations. This issue will be discussed for a long time, but back to our history. The original hiking trail along the Malaya Almaty River, running parallel to Tattimbeta Street and Dostyk Avenue, has a route length of approximately 4.5-7.5 km, and the height above sea level varies from 876 to 1058 meters. Thus, a walk along the trail involves not only movement along the river, but also a gradual climb, making it suitable for a wellness walk.

As for the city of Almaty, its history dates back many centuries and is rooted in ancient times. Located at the foot of the picturesque mountains of the Zaili Alatau, it has long attracted people with favorable natural conditions, fertile lands and convenient geographical location. Its territory was at the intersection of trade routes connecting Central Asia with East and West, which contributed to the development of agriculture, crafts and trade.

The first settlements on the territory of modern Almaty appeared in the Bronze Age, in the X-IX centuries BC. Even then in the foothills of the Zaili Alatau there were settled settlements, whose inhabitants were engaged in agriculture, cattle breeding and metal processing. These ancient communities laid the foundation for the long-term development of the region by man. However, modern Almaty began to turn into a city only after February 4, 1854, when the construction of a military fortification began on the Malaya Almaty River, around which the administrative, commercial and cultural center of Semirechye, the city of Verny, was gradually formed. As the population grew, urban infrastructure, commerce, and public life developed. In 1921, the city of Verny was renamed to Almaty. In the following decades, its importance increased significantly: the city expanded, industry, education, science and culture developed. In 1929, Almaty became the capital of the Kazakh SSR, which gave a powerful impetus to its further development and transformation into one of the largest centers of Kazakhstan.

After Kazakhstan gained independence, the city retained a special importance in the life of the country. In 1993, its name was officially fixed in the form of Almaty, reflecting the Kazakh language tradition.

The largest city of Kazakhstan, preserving traces of ancient civilizations, continues to develop, but its peculiarity, recognition will be preserved in such important places for Almaty residents as Terrenkur. Spiritual and historical, useful and peaceful.