Kokala limestone formation

As you drive towards Mount Sherkala, you’ll notice a large, pale patch on the brownish slopes standing out starkly against the surrounding landscape. By taking a short detour off the main road and driving about 3 kilometers on a well-kept dirt path, you’ll find yourself in front of a modest-sized yet strikingly shaped gorge known as Kok-Kala, or “Blue Fortress” in Turkic.

Kok-Kala’s origins set it apart from other sites in Mangystau. Unlike most of the region’s landmarks, which owe their formation to the ancient Tethys Ocean, Kok-Kala developed on dry land. Here, rather than shark teeth or sea urchin skeletons, visitors can find impressions of an ancient forest that flourished in the Jurassic period some 170-200 million years ago. Though dinosaur bones or other iconic fossils are absent, small stones bear delicate imprints of prehistoric tree stems and leaves.

Yet Kok-Kala’s vivid, unusual rock formations are captivating enough. The winding paths of the gorge invite exploration, and one can climb to the top for a breathtaking view of the surroundings. Spring is an especially picturesque time to visit, as the steppe blossoms into a lush green carpet.

Kok-Kala is often visited during trips between Mangystau’s more famous attractions, the Valley of Balls at Torysh and Mount Sherkala. The direct route from Aktau to Kok-Kala covers 200 kilometers, while the journey from Sherkala is just a short 10 kilometers.