Ҳафт Кӯл (The Seven Lakes) is one of Tajikistan's preeminent mountain wonders in the Fann Mountain Range. Just a couple of hours by car from the Western city of Panjikent this is an accessible and highly enjoyable route. The route goes from the bottom of Lake 1 of the Ҳафт Кӯл series of lakes to the top of Lake 7. The first 15+km are along the vehicle track that passes through the villages of the area - the final 5km take runners up to the bottom of Lake 7 and along the edge of the final lake with stunning panoramic views of the surrounding area. For runners this presents both the enjoyable flat stretches of lake-shore with the gruelling seemingly endless switchbacks of the steps of land between each lake.
The route is clear to follow. In early spring runners may find variations that include crossing through the lake-beds. Higher up they may even find the upper lakes to be frozen.
