Eagle Valley Hiking in Mongolia: Serene Trails Explored

Explore the stunning natural beauty of Mongolia with a hike to Eagle Valley. This breathtaking canyon is home to soaring cliffs, bubbling streams, and rare wildlife like golden eagles and ibex. The trek is challenging but rewarding, with panoramic views of the Altai Mountains and peaceful moments in a remote wilderness. Whether you’re an experienced hiker or a novice adventurer, Eagle Valley will leave you awestruck by its raw majesty.

Eagle Valley is locally known as Yolyn Am, it is located in the Zuun Saikhanii Nuruu (the Eastern Beauty), which translates to Eastern Beauty a subrange of the Gurvan Saikhan Mountains. A visit to this location offers some easy hiking through Eagle Valley and is a place for enjoying hiking, horse riding, bird watching, and wildlife photography.

Eagle Valley is interesting as it is part of the Gobi province, which is most famous for the Sand Dunes. This hike takes visitors through another aspect of the Gobi: the mountains. Providing a stark contrast to the sand dunes the valley offers wildflowers, wildlife, water and a Glacier in the winter months.

Hiking Eagle Valley

• Location: Eagle Valley, Zuun Saikhanii Nuruu, Mongolia
• Overall Rating: Easy
• Total Trail Distance: 2 miles out and back
• Elevation Gain: 100 ft (maybe)
• Time: 3 hours
• Cost: Park Entrance Fee

The trail at Eagle Valley

The trail is a winding dirt trail that cuts into the Valley, and then follows down along the river. It remains easy and a very gradual rolling walk through the valley. At one point you will cross a wooden bridge over the stream and that will be the last bridge option.

The rest of the walk into the canyon is a bit more unguided and will probably be rated as “moderate”. This is due to there is no trail. There will be no more bridges, and you will be climbing over rocks or walking through water in order to continue to navigate through the canyon.

Very similar experience to The Narrows at Zion National Park.

The trail offers the opportunity for those who want a leisure relaxing walk to participate with benches or picnic tables. Then also has the opportunity for those who are more adventurous to venture deeper into the canyon.

Horseback Riding in Eagle Valley

Discover the thrill of horseback riding in Eagle Valley, Mongolia. Known as “Yolyn Am” in Mongolian, the valley offers stunning views of the Altai Mountains and rare wildlife sightings. With trained guides, explore rocky terrain and flowing streams while riding one of Mongolia’s celebrated horses. Eagle Valley is also home to ancient petroglyphs and other historic sites that cater to a full day’s adventure for tourists from all over the world.

There is also the option to ride a horse into the canyon. Keep in mind though these are Mongolian horses. Which are a bit smaller than what some in the western world may be accustomed to.  There is the option to pay to ride out, and then walk back, do a round trip, or walk out and then catch a ride back as there are horses staged in two areas of the Valley.

I do not know the cost of the horse riding, as I didn’t check, but the horses look very overworked and tired. I wouldn’t recommend participating in the activity unless absolutely unable to walk the trail yourself.

Glacier at Eagle Valley

This spectacular region is home to a glacier that continues to captivate and awe visitors from all around the globe. With its stunning icy blue tones and rugged steep walls, this glacier forms a majestic outline against the stunning landscape of this magnificent valley. A visit here will leave you breathless as you gaze in wonder at one of Mother Nature’s greatest accomplishments.

Many people visit Eagle Valley due to the large snowfall that fills the valley. While hard to navigate in the dead of winter, visits in late spring or early Summer can allow visitors to see glaciers in the riverway.

These glaciers gradually meltdown, but up until July visitors can hike along, through, and around the frozen glacier. The valley is typically clear and free of Glacier from July to September – so if you want to see the remnants of the Glacier then make sure to plan your visit during the months of October to June!

Visiting later in the summer or fall you will see markers of where the Glacier reaches in the valley. Which is typically about 20-30 feet above the walking paths.

Wildlife at Eagle Valley

If you are a wildlife enthusiast, Eagle Valley Mongolia offers an unforgettable experience with unique fauna and flora in the country. This nature reserve is located in Altai Tavan Bogd National Park, a protected area that shelters animals such as ibexes, argalis, snow leopards and various bird species. The stunning landscape of the valley makes it perfect for hiking or horse riding while appreciating this natural wonderland. If you want to explore an unspoiled habitat with rare species of plants and animals, Eagle Valley Mongolia is worth adding to your travel itinerary.

There is a large variety of wildlife to be found at Eagle Valley. Many tourists come in search of Ibexes and the Lammergeier Eagle (Vulture). Not always a guarantee to spot, but you will find numerous wildlife photographers planted and stating they are waiting to see Ibexes or the Eagles.

The valley earned its name from the Lammergeier, which nests at the peaks of the mountains that surround the valley. Occasionally you will see them leave their nests and flying around the high area of the mountains.

The one you are almost promised to see though is the Mongolian Pika. This little rodent which looks like a cross between a bunny and mouse were abundant in the valley when I visited. You couldn’t walk anywhere without hearing warning squeaks from one, or spot one scurrying along the rock wall to evade you. (Don’t worry there was no chasing of Pika’s they were just everywhere).

Wildlife highlights include Siberian Ibexes, Argail Wild Sheep, Mongolian Pika and birds Mongolian Accentor, Altai Snowcock, Godlewski’s Bunting, and Lammergeier.

Museum at Eagle Valley

Discover the rich history and culture of Mongolia at the Museum at Eagle Valley. This highly-recommended museum showcases a wide range of exhibits, from traditional Mongolian art and crafts to archaeological finds spanning thousands of years. Visitors can also explore the natural history and wildlife of this ancient land through interactive displays, making it an engaging educational experience for all ages.

The entrance to the park has a museum which is filled with taxidermy. Here you will see displays of the large wildlife variety found in Mongolia and be able to get a peek at some of the wildlife you may see while exploring around Eagle Valley.

Prepare for some laughs, a couple of the taxidermy projects are a little silly looking.

How to get to Eagle Valley

If you’re looking for an adventure in Mongolia, hiking Eagle Valley is a must do adventure. To reach this natural wonder, you’ll need to begin your journey in the city of Ulaanbaatar. From there, take a flight to Dalanzadgad or Dalanzadgad International Airport. Once you’ve landed, hire a driver or join a tour group to travel the remaining 100km to Eagle Valley.

You can also opt to take a bus from Ulaanbaatar then transfer to another one in Mandalgovi. From there, take another car trip towards Eagle Valley. The journey may be long but it will all be worth it once you witness the stunning natural wonders that await you in this remote part of Mongolia.

Hiking at Eagle Valley is a portion of most Gobi Desert tours. You will typically stay at a Ger that is an hour or two away from Eagle Valley, but portion of the trip will be walking in the valley.

When I visited there were numerous tour companies parked in the parking lot at the entrance of the hike proving that it is a popular attraction for anyone visiting the Gobi in Mongolia.