Cycling has long become one of the most popular forms of active recreation among Russian residents. This is not only a wonderful opportunity to enjoy the beauty of cities and nature, but also a great way to maintain health and fitness. We have prepared for you a selection of the coolest places where residents of the capital can ride a bike this summer. It has both picturesque, quiet parks and busy routes through the streets of a big city.
What we will tell you about:
Why is cycling cool?
Needless to say, cycling is a great leisure option with friends or family. It’s often a breath of fresh air, because people often choose parks or other green areas for cycling routes. It’s fun to cycle alone: you turn on your favourite playlist, ride leisurely and look around. I can’t think of a better holiday.
It is not for nothing that they say that true relaxation is when you know how to change gears in time. Relaxing at home on the couch is, of course, also good. But this pastime can quickly become boring, and cycling is a great way to recharge your batteries and add a little variety to similar days.
Riding helps strengthen the cardiovascular system, improve muscle tone and reduce stress. There are many places in Moscow where you can enjoy and safely ride a bike, be it embankments, parks or nature reserves. We will now tell you about all the locations in more detail to make it easier for you to decide in the future.
Photo: ISTOCKPHOTO.COM/JACOBLUND
Rules
Make sure you wear a helmet and ideally elbow and knee pads. Don’t forget a water bottle if you get thirsty, a fitness tracker to keep track of your workout results, and if you plan on going for a long hike, take a light snack like exercise bars. Now you are definitely ready to go for a bike ride. Bike routes should be chosen based on your fitness level, endurance, and the length of the route itself.
Moscow embankments
These places are an ideal place for cycling: picturesque views of the water, developed infrastructure, and what else do you need? The bike paths are equipped for safe riding, and the routes allow you to enjoy the views of the city from an unusual angle.
Kolomensky Park Embankment
An attractive place for cycling is the embankment adjacent to Kolomenskoye Park. There are cycle paths here, so travelling will be comfortable, and two routes. The first is 5 km long, the second is 3 km long. The first will take you from the park to the embankment and show you wonderful views, and the second will show you the historical buildings of the park, which are its highlight.
Photo: istockphoto.com/Valeriya
Kremlin Embankment
Perhaps one of the most popular places is the Kremlin Embankment, which runs through the central part of the city and is very popular with cyclists. And this is the main disadvantage: there is a lot of traffic, there are always a lot of people here. But this is the price you pay for an incredible view of the center of Moscow. Historical buildings, the Kremlin, architectural monuments of the capital and much more. Believe me, the ride is worth it.
Photo: istockphoto.com
Parks for biking
Moscow is famous for its extensive parks and green areas, which offer excellent conditions for cycling. In the city parks you can enjoy the fresh air, tranquility and beauty of nature, as well as take advantage of the specially equipped cycle paths and recreational areas.
Fili Park
Fili Park is another popular cycling spot, ideal for family bike rides. There are stretches for a leisurely ride, as well as steep descents and climbs. If you get hungry you can stop by the café, there is one there too. The area is illuminated, so you can ride even late at night.
Fili Park
Photo: parkfili.ru
Kuzminski Park
If you live in the south-east of Moscow, you will find it convenient to ride in Kuzminsky Park. On weekdays there are few people there, but it is very nice and green. There is a bike rental station if you do not want to bring your own to the park. You can ride both on paved paths leading to a picturesque pond, and on dirt paths leading into the park. If you go further away, you can find a secluded bench in the shade of trees and relax in silence.
Kuzminski Park
Photo: park-kuzminki.ru
Troparevsky Park
Troparevsky Park is another modern and no less beautiful green area located in the west of the capital. There are bike paths along its entire perimeter, so you definitely won’t disturb anyone walking. There are routes for both lovers of leisurely riding and almost professional ones, with ups and downs. The views here are wonderful, there is a beautiful pond around which you can take a couple of laps and enjoy nature.
Troparevsky Park
Photo by: RIA Novosti
Parks for lovers of silence
For those who prefer off-the-beaten-track paths, Moscow also offers plenty of options. In nature reserves and forest parks you can not only enjoy cycling, but also observe the animal world and immerse yourself in the peace and quiet of wild nature.
National Park “Moose Island” is one of those places. If the usual city parks seem too crowded for you, then this option is ideal for you. There are both dirt and asphalt paths. One of them, 10 km long, is an excellent route for quality physical activity. And if you want to be closer to wild nature and solitude, go into the forest on one of the trails – just you, the trees and the birdsong. But be sure to charge your phone or bring a satnav so you don’t get lost.
Losiny Ostrov National Park
Photo by: RIA Novosti
Bitsevsky forest park – It is also a great place for skiing. You can go skiing there all day, because it is very big. There you can not only take a great walk, but also get to know the fauna better, see squirrels and various birds. The trails here are of varying difficulty, so you will definitely choose the optimal one according to your level of training. Silence, greenery, small rivers – all this allows you to enjoy nature and take a break from the bustle of the city.
Bitsevsky Park
Photo: mospark.ru
5 most popular urban routes
Well, if you prefer to conquer the streets of a big city on a bike instead of quiet parks, especially for you we have made a small selection of popular routes that will definitely not disappoint you.
Central route in Moscow
Length: 9 kilometers
You can start from Rozhdestvensky Boulevard and get to the Hermitage Garden. During a bike ride along Tsvetnoy and Strastnoy Boulevards and the Garden Ring, you can visit several beautiful places in the capital. Patriarch’s Ponds, New Arbat, Pushkinsky Square. Stop near the Satire Theatre and the Mossovet Theatre and head towards the Bulgakov Museum.
Patriarch’s Ponds
Photo: istockphoto.com
Gorky Park – Victory Park Route
Length: 16 kilometers
This is the longest route in Moscow, so even the most experienced and enduring cyclists can ride it. Starting point: Crimean Bridge. And through the beauty of Gorky Park (Neskuchny Garden, Vorobyovy Gory), continue along Frunzenskaya Embankment to Victory Park.
Gorky Park
Photo: Press service of Gorky Park
Route to Sokolniki
Length: 7 km
The route starts from the Bolshoi Ustinsky Bridge along Yauzsky Boulevard. Then on the way you will find Pokrovsky and Chistoprudny Boulevards, then the Turgenevskaya metro station and the turn to Academician Sakharov Avenue. Then head towards Komsomolskaya metro station along Krasnoprudnaya Street and soon you will reach Sokolniki Park.
Bolshoi Ustinsky Bridge
Photo by: RIA Novosti
Route from VDNH to Ostankino
Length: 13 kilometers
Due to the beauty and attractions of the road, this is one of the busiest routes. Therefore, follow the rules for your safety and that of others. Keep an eye on the speed limit and be prepared that sometimes you will have to dismount from the iron horse and walk. During the trip you will see VDNH, the Botanical Garden, the Rock Garden, the Sheremetev estate, Ostankino Park and the Ostankino Tower.
VDNH
Photo: vdnh.ru
Cycling routes in the north-west of Moscow
Length: 4.5 kilometers
In this part of the capital, a new route has appeared after the reconstruction of the Mitino landscape park. By the way, you can choose an equally long route – for example, take a walk through Salyut Park, where the length of the route is only 1.2 km. Also in the Severnoye Tushino park and museum complex there is a circular path 3 km long. You can see the beauty of the Khimki reservoir.
“Northern Tushino”
Photo: mosparks.ru
What other thing?
We have already told you about the embankments that are most convenient for skiing. Another good news for those who like to be closer to the water is that there is a separate route that will take you along the embankments of the capital. To make the views as pleasant as possible, drive from bottom to top along the Moscow River. On the way you will have time to admire Red Square, the historic city centre, the Cathedral of Christ the Saviour and many other attractions. And if you complete the entire route, then at the end you will be greeted by the “Moscow City”. The length of the route is almost 30 km.
An equally pleasant route, which, like the previous one, ends in the city of Moscow. And it begins in one of the most interesting areas of Moscow: the Patriarch’s Ponds. Throughout almost the entire route you can ride on a bicycle path, passing through both quiet and busy streets. Its length is about 5 km.
Moscow
Photo: istockphoto.com/DedMityay
How about a ride around the Boulevard Ring? This route runs along the old Moscow boulevards, starting at Gogolevsky and ending at Yauzsky. Like all the others, it covers many cultural and historical sites and is about 10 km long. Be prepared for the fact that there will be some noise, as car traffic in Moscow never stops.
As you may already understand, Moscow is a dream city for a cyclist – everyone can find an ideal place for a bike ride. And if you get bored, you can always switch from one park to another, to the embankment or to a nature reserve. Cycling in Moscow is a great way to spend time outdoors while discovering new corners of this amazing city.
For lovers of water recreation:
Where to wakesurf in Moscow? 6 best places to ride
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