From Jeti-Öghüz Kurort, an unpaved road (impassable with snow from November to March or later) climbs through a dainty pine-dappled valley, crossing and recrossing a gurgling stream on four log bridges. It emerges after around 4km onto a grassy mountainside with joyous Sound-of-Music views. Looking south, Alpine peaks form a splendid horizon across the deep, wide Kök-Jaiyk (Valley of Flowers) that falls away in front of you. If you're walking from (and back to) Jeti-Öghüz in one day, use the limited time to explore the first area of mountain-view pastures. However, with more time, or given a decent 4WD, you could descend steeply into the bigger transverse valley, then head right towards the (hard-to-find) waterfall or left across the 'Fifth Bridge' continuing several kilometres into the heart of the Valley of Flowers. The name is for a mass of poppies that turn the local jailoos red in May.
