Where to ride a bike in Moscow: 15 best cycling routes

Cycling has long been one of the most popular ways of active recreation among the residents of Russia. It is not just a wonderful opportunity to enjoy the beauty of cities and nature, but also a great way to keep fit and healthy. We have prepared for you a selection of the coolest places where you can ride a bike this summer for residents of the capital. It includes both picturesque quiet parks and busy routes through the streets of the big city.

Why is bicycling cool?

Needless to say, cycling is a great leisure option with friends or family? It tends to be fresh air, because people often choose parks or other green areas for their bike route. It’s fun to ride a bike alone – turn on your favorite playlist, ride in peace and look around. You can’t think of a better vacation.

Not for nothing they say that real relaxation is when you know how to switch in time. Rest at home on the couch, of course, is also good. But such pastime can quickly get boring, and cycling is a great way to reboot and slightly diversify the similar days.

Riding helps to strengthen the cardiovascular system, improve muscle tone and reduce stress. In Moscow there are many places where you can enjoy a pleasant and safe bike ride, be it embankments, parks or nature reserves. Now we will tell you about all locations in detail, so that it will be easier for you to decide in the future.

Rules

Be sure to bring a helmet, and ideally, elbow pads and kneepads. Don’t forget a water bottle in case you get thirsty, a fitness bracelet to keep track of your workout results, and if you plan to take a long route, bring a light snack like fitness bars. Now you’re ready to go cycling. Cycling routes should be chosen based on your fitness, endurance, and the length of the route itself.

Moscow embankments

These locations are ideal for cycling: picturesque views of the water, well-developed infrastructure, and what else is needed? The bicycle paths are equipped for safe riding, and the routes allow you to enjoy views of the city from an unusual angle.

Kolomna Park Embankment

An attractive place for cycling is the embankment adjacent to Kolomensky Park. There are bike paths here, so that riding will be comfortable, and two routes. The first one is 5 km, the second one is 3 km. The first one will take you from the park to the embankment and show you wonderful views, and the second one will take you to the historical buildings of the park, which are its highlight.

Kremlin Embankment

Perhaps one of the most popular places is the Kremlin Embankment, running along the central part of the city, cyclists love it. And it’s main disadvantage is the high traffic, there are always a lot of people here. But this is the price you pay for an amazing view of the center of Moscow. Historical buildings, the Kremlin, architectural monuments of the capital and much more. Believe me, the walk is worth it.

Parks for cycling

Moscow is famous for its vast parks and green areas, which provide excellent conditions for bicycle rides. In the parks of the city you can enjoy the clean air, tranquility and beauty of nature, as well as take advantage of specially equipped bicycle paths and recreation areas.

Fili Park

Fili Park is another popular place for riding, ideal for family bike rides. There are both quiet riding areas and steep descents and ascents. If you get hungry, you can stop by the café, which is also there. The area is lit up, so you can ride even in the late evenings.

Fili Park

Kuzminsky Park

If you live in the south-east of Moscow, then it will be convenient for you to ride in Kuzminsky Park. There are few people there on weekdays, but it is very beautiful and green. There is a rental shop with bicycles, if you don’t want to bring your own to the park. You can ride both on asphalted paths, which will lead you to a picturesque pond, and on dirt paths, they go deep into the park. If you go farther away, you can find a secluded bench in the shade of trees and relax in silence.

Kuzminsky Park

Troparyovsky Park

Troparevsky Park is another modern and no less beautiful green zone, which is located in the west of the capital. All around its perimeter there are bicycle lanes, so you will definitely not disturb any of the walkers. There are routes both for lovers of quiet riding, and almost professional, with ascents and descents. The views here are wonderful, there is a beautiful pond around which you can make a couple of laps and enjoy the nature.

Troparevsky Park

Parks for lovers of silence

For those who prefer secluded trails, Moscow also offers many options. In reserves and forest parks you can not only enjoy cycling, but also observe the animal world, plunge into the peace and quiet of wild nature.

"(《世界人权宣言》) national park “Elk Island ” is one of such places. If ordinary city parks seem too crowded for you, this option is perfect for you. There are both unpaved and asphalted roads. One of them, 10 kilometers long, is a great route for quality exercise. And if you want to be closer to wild nature and solitude, go deep into the forest along one of the paths: just you, trees and birdsong. But be sure to charge your phone or take a navigator so you don’t get lost.

Elk Island National Park

Bittsevsky forest park is also a great place for skating. You can go there to ride for a whole day, because it is very large. There you can not only ride with the wind, but also get acquainted with the fauna, see squirrels and different birds. The tracks here are of different complexity, so you will definitely choose the best one, based on your level of fitness. Silence, greenery, small rivers, all this allows you to enjoy nature and relax from the city bustle.

Bittsevsky Park

5 most popular city routes

Well, if you like to conquer the streets of a big city on a bicycle more than quiet parks, then especially for you we have made a small selection of popular routes that will not disappoint you.

Central route in Moscow

Length: 9 km

You can start from Rozhdestvensky Boulevard and ride to the Hermitage Garden. During a bicycle trip along Tsvetnoy and Strastnoy boulevards and the Garden Ring you will be able to visit several beautiful sights of the capital. Patriarchal Ponds, Novy Arbat, Pushkin Square. Make a stop near the Satire Theater and the Mossovet Theater and make your way to the Bulgakov Museum.

Patriarch’s Ponds

Route Gorky Park – Victory Park

Length: 16 km

This is the longest route in Moscow, so the most experienced and hardy cyclists will be able to ride it. The starting point is the Crimean bridge. And through the beauty of Gorky Park (Neskuchny Garden, Vorobyovy Gory) move along Frunzenskaya embankment to Victory Park.

Gorky Park

Route to Sokolniki

Length: 7 km

The route starts from Bolshoy Ustyinsky Bridge along Yauzsky Boulevard. Then you will meet Pokrovsky and Chistoprudny boulevards, then – Turgenevskaya metro station and turn to Akademika Sakharov Avenue. Then head towards Komsomolskaya metro station along Krasnoprudnaya Street and soon you will reach Sokolniki Park.

Bolshoi Ustyinsky Bridge

Route from VDNKh to Ostankin

Length: 13 km

Due to the beauty and sights encountered along the way, this is one of the most crowded routes. Therefore, observe the rules of your own safety and the safety of others. Watch the speed limit and be prepared that sometimes you will have to dismount and walk. During the trip you will see VDNKh, Botanical Garden, Garden of Stones, Sheremetev estate, Ostankino Park and Ostankino Tower.

VDNKH

Bicycle routes in the north-west of Moscow

Length: 4.5 km.

In this area of the capital a new route appeared after the reconstruction of the landscape park “Mitino”. By the way, you can choose no less long route – for example, ride through the park “Salute”, here the length of the route is only 1.2 km. Also in the museum and park complex “Severnoe Tushino” there is a 3 km long circular track. You can view the beauty of the Khimki Reservoir.

“Severnoe Tushino”

And more?

We have already told you about the most convenient embankments for riding. Another good news for those who like to be close to the water – there is a separate route that will take you along the capital’s embankments. To maximize the views, ride from bottom to top along the Moskva River. On the way you will have time to admire the Red Square, the historical center of the city, the Cathedral of Christ the Savior and many other sights. And if you complete the whole route, at the end you will be waiting for “Moscow-City”. The length of the route is almost 30 km.

Not less pleasant route, which, like the previous one, ends in “Moscow City”. And it starts from one of the most interesting districts of Moscow – from Patriarshie Ponds. During almost the whole route you will be able to ride on a bicycle lane, passing both quiet and crowded streets. Its length is about 5 kilometers.

Moscow City

And what if we suggest you bypass the Boulevard Ring? This route runs along the ancient boulevards of Moscow – starting with Gogolevsky and ending with Yauzsky. It, like all the others, covers a lot of cultural and historical places and is about 10 kilometers long. Just prepare yourself for the fact that it will be a bit noisy, as automobile traffic in Moscow never stops.

As you have already realized, Moscow is a dream city for a cyclist, everyone can find the perfect place for a bike ride. And if you get bored, you can always change from one park to another, or to an embankment or a nature reserve. Cycling in Moscow is a great way to spend time in the fresh air, discovering new corners of this amazing city.