Bogd Khan Uul National Park — Mongolia
Bogd Khan Uul is one of the oldest protected areas in the world. Located just south of Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia's capital city, this sacred mountain has been formally protected since 1778, making it one of the earliest examples of nature conservation anywhere on Earth.
The park covers the Bogd Khan mountain range and its surrounding forests. The highest peak, Tsetsee Gun, rises to 2256 metres above sea level. The mountain has deep spiritual significance in Mongolian culture and was traditionally considered so sacred that ordinary people were forbidden from climbing to its summit.
The Hike
There are several hiking trails in the park, ranging from easy walks through the larch and birch forests at the base to more challenging climbs to the summit ridge. The most popular route begins at the Zaisan Memorial on the northern side and follows a series of trails through dense forest up to the ridgeline.
The forest here is remarkably diverse for a semi-arid region. Siberian larch, birch, and pine cover the northern slopes, while the southern slopes are drier and covered in steppe grassland. Wildlife includes marmots, foxes, and occasionally deer.
Getting There
The park is accessible from central Ulaanbaatar by taxi or local bus. The most common starting point is the Zaisan Memorial area in the south of the city, which sits at the northern edge of the park. From there, trails lead directly into the mountains.
Tips
- Bring plenty of water — there are limited water sources on the trails
- The weather can change rapidly, even in summer — pack layers
- Respect the sacred nature of the mountain — stay on marked trails
- Best visited from May to October; trails can be snowy and icy in winter