Golden autumn in Moscow parks: 5 ideas for cozy weekend walks

Golden autumn in Moscow parks: 5 ideas for cozy weekend walks

Places where you can see all shades of leaves – from golden to scarlet red. And, of course, to take beautiful pictures!

President of Pro-Vision, author of Vinogradov.story community

“Strict alleys and chaotically trampled paths, century-old fir trees and young birches, pre-revolutionary architecture and modern recreation areas – almost everything that is required for a comfortable rest for various Muscovites can be found in the capital’s parks. While the weather is favorable, it is worth devoting at least half a day to a leisurely thoughtful walk through one of them – to get lost in the “green lungs” of the city and understand what the capital breathes (and lives!). I’ll give you some ideas of where to wander around this weekend below.

Gorky Park

In its time, Gorky Park became a model of a new type of public space – with competent zoning and functions that meet the interests of citizens. Today, together with Neskuchny Garden, Museon and a section of the Sparrow Hills, it forms a single recreational area that claims to be the largest in Europe. It’s easy to spend a whole day in the park: look in the New Tretyakov Gallery or Garage for art inspiration, relax by the water or on the water, order brunch in a restaurant or have a picnic under maple trees, and then walk along the Moskva River embankment for a long, long time, looking at postcard views. By the way, in early fall Gorky Park was connected by a pedestrian bridge with Balchug Island and HPP-2, so the list of cultural activities available within one route has significantly expanded.

Losiny Ostrov

Losiny Ostrov is one of the rare places where you can feel far outside the capital. It’s not even a park – it’s more like a forest: in some parts of it there are still dense thickets, which are favored by animals and birds. Going to Elk Island, you can’t ignore at least two locations – the Elk Biostation, where not only elk, but also red deer, deer and wild boars live, and the Barefoot Trail. The latter was “laid” in the local arboretum quite recently, and it immediately won the hearts of Muscovites: it is rare where you can walk on 41 types of pavement in one walk.

Sokolniki

Quite close to Losiny Island are also Sokolniki, named after the feathered birds flying here from the “neighbor”. In the 50s of the last century, pavilions of the first international exhibition of U.S. industrial products appeared here, which outlined the park’s “bias” towards a large-scale exhibition space. Now this function has not been lost: Sokolniki is often used to organize notable by city standards shows and festivals. However, most Muscovites consider the park first of all an ideal place for outdoor recreation. Sokolniki has all the conditions for this – from bicycle paths to rental shops.

Kuskovo Estate and Park

Kuskovo is the only preserved in the capital regular park of the XVIII century. The first mentions of the estate characterize it as a place “with many amusements”, a large park and ponds. Since then the main thing has not changed. Pavilions were completed, bypass canals were laid and labyrinths were arranged, but the essence remained the same: walking around Kuskovo is pure pleasure and rest for the soul. A walk through the park can easily be combined with a tour of the exposition of the Great House or chamber pavilions – Grotto, Italian and Dutch House. A visit to the Museum of Ceramics, located in the Big Stone Greenhouse – a former “voksal” for dancing with rooms for games – will complete your journey through time.

VDNKh and Botanical Garden

Two more neighboring parks, close territorially but with completely different characters – VDNKh and Botanical Garden. The first one is the territory of the Soviet heritage reinterpreted in the tradition of modern urbanism. At VDNKh, if you wish, you can both plunge into the recent past and visit the near future – for example, in the “Space” pavilion. There is also the Crafts Park, where you can easily make something with your own hands. Other must-see items include the Sun of Moscow Ferris wheel, a paddle ride at the Golden Spike fountain or the landscaped Mobius Ribbon.

And having saturated yourself with activities, you can have a rest from the hustle and bustle in the Botanical Garden: in autumn nature creates here the illusion of “re-blooming”, painting plants in incredibly beautiful and rich colors.