Where to find 10,000 steps in Moscow. 7 pleasant and non-banal routes

The “walk 10,000 steps” trend has been around for a very long time. It is very easy to do it if you know where to walk. We offer places where you can forget about checking your trackers and just walk and achieve results in a measured way. The main thing is not to treat walking as a serious event, everything should be simple and relaxed, like an evening in Italy.

I have come across many times that people are very meticulous about how to find 10k steps. For most, it’s a whole “challenge” to themselves. But it must be said that they are the most frustrated if the goal was not achieved. In the case of hiking, the “level of importance” should never be inflated to the sky. It is better to think about the right shoes, pleasant company, a light and nutritious snack, and that’s it. Time will fly by imperceptibly, and the pedometer counter will pass far beyond the desired figure.

Skhodni River Park in Kurkino

One of the “young” parks of the city was opened in 2004 and is located in the Kurkino district, along the left bank of the river Skhodni. The main and unique feature of this place is that there are vast untouched territories.

It would be strange if the park did not have eco-routes. They are there and they are organized in such a way that visitors can see with their own eyes all the diversity of flora and fauna.

Skhodni River Park

Elk Island

The very place where real moose live in Moscow. The territory has the status of a national park and is included in the list of specially protected natural places. In addition, the park is one of the first of its kind in Russia, it opened in 1983.

The mission of the island is to combine a unique natural landscape with rare species of animals and plants.

The park is a great place for quiet and active recreation. There are sports grounds and bicycle paths. On the territory of about 116 thousand square kilometers there are numerous hiking trails, which you can’t even explore in a year, but you can try.

Elk Island

Bittsev Forest

Throughout its history, this park has gone through a lot. It was cut down and repopulated with new plantings, and the final green massif was formed only 70 years ago. Now the territory of more than 2 thousand hectares is under the protection of the state.

During the walk you can see four hydrological natural monuments, one entomological, two landscape and seven botanical.

The rivers Chertanovka, Gorodnya and Bitsa flow through the territory of the park. They are surrounded by ravines and steep slopes, walking along which you can vary the load and more creatively compose your own route of the walk.

Bittsevo Forest

Shchukinsky Peninsula

It is located in the Strogino district. It used to be the site of a sand quarry, but over time it began to flood, and as a result a picturesque peninsula was formed.

First of all, this place attracts with its views of Strogino, the Moscow River and Serebryany Bor. And then it opens up with the diversity of nature: marshes, meadows, birch, pine and spruce forests. To spend one of your weekends in peace and tranquility – you can’t find a better place. And what sunsets are there!

This place was a big discovery for me in the city when I was there for the first time this summer. With the obvious advantage of easy accessibility and popularity I avoided the park, as it turned out, in vain. Wide pedestrian paths, diverse landscape and the tranquility of a walk are worth a lot.

Timiryazevsky Park

In the north of Moscow there is one of the old parks, which occupies an area of 232 hectares – Timiryazevsky. When you first find yourself inside, you will be pleasantly surprised by the birdsong coming from all sides.

When you walk around the park, you may even be lucky, as once Peter the Great, who according to legend saw a deer on the shore of the park lake. Don’t be lazy and visit this place. Be sure to take care of comfortable shoes and a thermos with tea – with it a winter walk will not seem like torture.

Timiryazevsky Park

Yauza Park

For everyone who is on fire for hiking, you should take a closer look at Yauza Park. There are several ecological walking routes organized there along the rivers Yauza and Chermyanka.

You don’t have to look for a detailed description on the Internet, but just go to the embankment of the Yauza and go in any direction. During your hike you will be able to visit several park territories.

Yauza Park

Main botanical garden

From personal communication with avid hikers, we concluded that for some reason many people bypass the Botanical Garden, although this is quite reckless.

The territory of the park of 361 hectares hints to be explored by all comers. You will definitely not get lost there, as everywhere there are signs and hints where else you can go.

Main Botanical Garden