“Road to Lavra”: how to make a pilgrimage route of 120 km in 4 days

For all hiking enthusiasts who have already explored their hometown, there is great news: a unique route through the forests, along interesting architectural monuments and temples has been discovered. Traveler Anastasia overcame it together with her friend and shared her impressions with us.

“Road to Lavra ” – one of the main pilgrimage routes in Russia, which is becoming popular among tourists and athletes. It is a 120 km long walking trail from the walls of the Moscow Kremlin to the Trinity-Sergius Lavra. Hundreds of thousands of people have walked along it in search of enlightenment, unity with nature, wishing to strengthen their spirit and body. One of the first pilgrims was Dmitry Donskoy. At that time it was possible to overcome the path only on foot, but now many people prefer to go on a bicycle trip. On the way you will meet many sights: the village of Radonezh, Khotkov Monastery, museum-reserves Abramtsevo and Muranovo, the Temple of Annunciation, dacha-museum of Mayakovsky.

Rest, which fills

traveler

“Physical activity, new places and interesting acquaintances are the three components of a vacation that really fills me up.”

I used to travel exclusively on hikes with a group (to Altai and the Kola Peninsula). Then I found out about the Santiago Way. It is a pilgrimage road through the north of Spain. And I realized: I need to go there! I began to study information and prepare for the trip on my own.

In April this year I walked 300 kilometers from Porto to Santiago de Compostela on my own – without a group or an instructor. It was the best experience of my life. There I realized that this was the perfect trekking format for me.

When I returned home, I remembered that we have something similar in Moscow. This was the “Road to Lavra”. How I learned about it, I won’t remember, just the information that we have such a trail, as if it had been with me for a long time.

Less expectations – less disappointment

We didn’t expect anything from the trail. As they say, fewer expectations – fewer disappointments. My friend and I love all kinds of activities and adventures. And this option turned out to be right at our doorstep.

The forest is about 70% of the route. If you’re an anxious person like me, you’ll have a hard time. Thoughts of ticks were never far away, relaxing and not thinking about them was the hardest part. That’s what really made me tired. And after 20 kilometers you already feel heaviness in your legs, but it is in your head that you feel it most of all. That’s what happens when you see the same landscape for a long time. But there was no desire to turn back or get off the path. Unlike the desire for someone to take you in their arms and carry you for 10 kilometers.

The end is the most uninteresting part of the whole journey

We met a couple of runners along the way, they whizzed past as we walked the route. The next day we were still walking to Posadas and they were already running back.

For four days of the way we saw many temples, Muranovo and Abramtsevo estates, Mayakovsky’s dacha. All these places are very beautiful. But the most memorable was the albergue (shelter for pilgrims) where we stopped on the way. It is called the House of Soviets. There honored traveler of Russia Alexander Sovetov with his wife at his dacha accepts lavrohodov. Very interesting person and warm welcome.

The end is the most uninteresting in the whole journey. It can be compared to a book read: when you swallow the last lines, and that’s it. The book is slammed shut.

Go without fear

To repeat such a journey, go to the official website of the “Road to Lavra”, study and download the route track. Weigh your strength, how much you can pass in a day. Calculate how many days you will need. Book overnight stays in advance, take a friend and go without fear. Take only necessary things with you and make sure you don’t forget anything, I forgot my Band-Aid!

The main advice: go in suitable shoes, better take worn trekking sneakers (new ones can chafe), listen to your body, enjoy the process, you will not get lost.