Saglyk Yoly - The Path of Health, Part 1

Taking advantage of a work assignment in Ashgabat, we sought out the famous Health Path Saglyk Yoly. Before arriving we saw its photographs on Google Earth, posted like a string of pearls along the ridge contour of the southern mountain range, the Kopet-Dag.

As an encouragement to people to become active and do something for their health and fitness the Turkmen leadership has established a system of improved health trails through the mountains south of Ashgabat, with a total length of more than 30 kilometers.

The shortest - and most interesting and best maintained - trail encompasses 7 km of an elaborate cemented path of about 2 meters width. The Turkmen leadership is not content with simple trail markings: both sides are secured with a metallic lattice fence and lit at night with street lanterns - no need to bring your headlamp. The octagonal golden Seljuk star (an eight point star made of two squares) motive appears on fence and lamps and on the domed pavilions that offer shade in summer.

Along the way life size golden statues of common desert animals have been lovingly placed, some constellations reminiscent of fables.

The trail can be interrupted after about eight kilometers, where there is bus station and a kiosk with tea and refreshments. The President of Turmenistan urges his Ministers, once a year, to complete the walk up to here.

From there, we continued towards the Ashgabat TV station, sitting at 1000 meter altitude. Completed in 2011, with 211 meters it is the highest building in Turkenistan. This second part is less well maintained, and doesn't have golden wildlife on display.

The TV station cannot be visited, at least not by the casual hiker. There is a bus from TV station back to Ashgabat, or hitch a friendly Turkmen, as long as you don't mind to travel without seat belts.

Beware: this is not a walk in the park, even though the risk of getting lost is minimal. The hike covers about 12.3 kilometers and 1100 meters in elevation gain (and 500 meters in elevation loss).

Note that along the first 7 kilometers of the trail, there are a few alternatives, Following the right fork will be generally easier, while taking the left fork involves more up and down, and is closer to cliffs and views.

See also Saglyk Yoly - The Path of Health, Part 3 (wikiloc #8540936). Don't look for Part 2 (from the TV tower to the bottom of the cable car)