Storm falling on Song Kul lake with snowy peaks showing on the background at Song Kul valley, Kyrgyzstan
Storm falling on Song Kul lake with snowy peaks showing on the background and dry grass in the foreground in front of the water. Song Köl (also Son Kul, Songköl, Song-Köl; Kyrgyz: Соңкөл, IPA: [sóɴkœl], literally "following lake") is an alpine lake in northern Naryn Province, Kyrgyzstan. It lies at an altitude of 3016 m, and has an area of about 270 km2 and volume of 2.64 km3. The lake's maximum length is 29 km, breadth about 18 km, and the deepest point is 13.2 m. It is the second largest lake in Kyrgyzstan after Issyk Kul Lake, and the largest fresh water lake in Kyrgyzstan. Its name, meaning "following lake", is popularly considered to refer to this relation. It is surrounded by a broad summer pasture and then mountains. Its beauty is greatly praised, but it is rather inaccessible. The best approach seems to be the 85 km road from Sary-Bulak on the main north-south highway.[original research?] Other routes require all-terrain vehicles. There are no permanent facilities on the lake, but local herders will provide supplies and rent yurts and restroom facilities. The area is inhabited and safely accessible only from June to September.