Published on: 2026-10-09
Source: Moscow Government – Правительства Москвы –
An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.
Autumn in Moscow is a wonderful time and a special kind of magic. Whether you have just half an hour or a whole day, in the city parks overseen by the Moscow Department of Culture, there is a path that will offer coziness, inspiration, and a sense of a little adventure. We have gathered the most atmospheric routes — from intimate and quiet to grand, which will reveal the beloved city from a new perspective.
Short walks: when you only have half an hour
Krasnogvardeyskie Ponds Park — a recreation area of about eight hectares where autumn is very vividly displayed. A cascade of the Upper, Middle, and Lower ponds forms a convenient walking route. Start the path from Zvenigorodskoye Highway: walk past a large children’s playground and a sports area along a shady alley. Near the shore, there is a multi-level deck with plant tubs and flower beds — a great place to stop and look at the water. By the Middle pond, you can find secluded gazebos: in a light rain, it’s pleasant to have coffee there and admire the reflection of the tree crowns. At the Lower pond — the busiest part of the park — there is a stage where concerts take place, a cascading amphitheater, and spots for drinks and snacks. The entire route takes 20–30 minutes.
Hermitage Garden — a historic place with a theatrical atmosphere. Start from the side of Karetniy Ryad street: from here, the road leads to the white fountain, and then past the facades of theaters “New opera”, “Hermitage” and “Sfera.” Each building has its own character and details. Along the way, you can notice old lanterns with the monogram “YSh” — the initials of Yakov Shchukin, a philanthropist and the garden’s creator. They keep the memory of the man who breathed life into these alleys more than 100 years ago. Children will enjoy the playground with unusual swings and a white stork. If you want silence, stand by the summer stage where Vladimir Vysotsky and Mikhail Zhvanetsky once performed. In autumn, this place sounds quite different — not loud, but intimate and contemplative. You can finish the promenade at the lovers’ monument — 70 meters of stainless steel pipes bent in the shape of a heart. The idea came from a drawing on Juliet’s house wall in Verona. The impressions will last an entire evening, and the walk itself takes only 25–40 minutes.
Theater in the garden: how the “Hermitage” stays true to its word, tradition, and its audience
In “Tsaritsyn” Autumn plays with shades of ginger and crimson, and you want to stroll slowly to have time to notice the details. One of the most picturesque routes is from the park gates near the Orekhovo metro station to the central gates by the Tsaritsyno metro station. Along the way, you’ll encounter the Grape Gates, the Opera House, and the Small Palace, which houses a cozy coffee shop with signature drinks. The path then curves around the palace square, passes under the Figured Bridge, and leads along the dam between the Upper and Middle Tsaritsyno ponds, past the light and music fountain and flower beds — to the central gates. Near the park gates, you can find a machine with a souvenir magnet and a QR code for access to the audio guide. The route takes about 40 minutes at a slow pace.
One-hour walks: managing to see the main sights and a little more
Golden autumn is the best time to rediscover the park “Severnoye Tushino”. Start from the main entrance: the square is home to attractions and photo exhibition stands that set the mood. Then the path descends to the embankment of the Khimki Reservoir, from where there are views of the water surface, leisurely moving vessels, and the silhouette of the Northern River Terminal on the opposite bank. If you turn right, the path will lead to one of the main gems — the Museum of Naval History. Legends stand here in the open air: a submarine “Novosibirsk Komsomolets”, which you can enter, the unique ekranoplan “Orlyonok” and the assault landing craft “Skat.” Then turn deeper into the park: walk along the alleys among the yellowing leaves, peek into the old apple orchard, or sit by the Aleshkinsky pond, where the surface seems to gather all the autumn colors. The walk will take 45–60 minutes.
Kuskovo Estate at this time of year — a combination of palace grandeur and homely comfort. Here you can admire the magnificent wooden palace and the large pond, stroll along the parterre of the ancient French formal garden, and see late-blooming flowers (the subtle fragrance is still noticeable in the rose garden). We recommend stopping by the aviary with peacocks and listening to their whimsical singing. Along the way, you will encounter marble statues, as if frozen in the cool air. If you have another 30–40 minutes, do not miss the Dutch and Swiss cottages, as well as the old oaks: they were planted by Emperor Alexander III himself and his wife. In these moments, the grounds seem to open the pages of the past — and do so very gently. The walk will take 45–60 minutes.
The Sheremetev Graph Collection. Which Sculptures Decorate the Park of the Kuskovo Estate
Park by the ponds “Rainbow” — a place where you can combine leisurely walking and active recreation. A bike path about two kilometers long runs along Zhemchugova Alley, Veshnyakovskaya Street, and the pond’s shore. It’s a great way to see the area from another perspective. For sports enthusiasts, there are also courts for tennis and tables for table tennis, volleyball-basketball courts, a workout area, and adjustable-resistance exercise machines. Bicycle and electric vehicle rentals are available on the premises. The sports grounds are free of charge, but you need to bring your own equipment. It’s pleasant to finish the promenade at the Large Grafsky Pond, which offers picturesque views. Nearby, a 7D cinema operates for those seeking vivid experiences. The walk takes between 45 minutes and one and a half hours.
1.5–2 hours: immerse yourself in the atmosphere
Terletsky Forest Park — it is a place where it is easy to alternate between movement and silence. Here you can stretch out at the workout area, ride through the oak grove, or take a peaceful walk along the cascade of Terletsky ponds. There are paths along the water for walks and runs, and in the center of the park there is a cafe where it’s pleasant to have a warming drink. The rental point offers bicycles, pedal cars, and children’s electric cars — a good option for a family outing. For strength training, there is a zone equipped with pull-up bars and outdoor exercise machines, tables for table tennis, basketball and volleyball courts. A walk will take from 45 minutes to two hours.
Kuskovo Forest Park — is an extension of the estate, but in the form of an actual forest. The walk begins from the central entrance: the route passes by the Large Palace Pond, and from the opposite bank there is a striking view of the old estate. For fans of active recreation, you can take table tennis paddles with you: there’s always a group for a game in the forest park. If you arrive at the park by bicycle, you can cover almost 10 kilometers in an hour and a half and visit the pump track. This route is an opportunity to see the park from several angles at once: both as a historical site and as a space for sports and active leisure. The route takes 60–90 minutes.
Izmailovsky Park gives the feeling that you have gone out of town, although you are in Moscow. Start from the forest-park area near the Lebedyansky pond surrounded by forest — one of the most picturesque bodies of water. Then the path leads along shaded alleys past the eco-center “Tsarskaya Paseka” and turns towards the Red pond. Nearby are sports grounds and benches where you can sit and listen to the birds. The route continues along the Decorative pond, next to which there is a bike path. Then the trail goes deeper into the forest-park zone, to two intimate ponds: here there are fewer people but many ducks that you can feed. From here it is not far to the main alley, where you can end the walk with a cup of coffee or tea from a kiosk along the way. The promenade takes 1.5–2 hours.
Long routes: when there’s no hurry
Vorontsovo Estate — a journey through the pages of history, where every detail tells about the past. Start from the Vorontsovskaya metro station side: from here you can see the ensemble of the ceremonial entrance — Gothic towers with pointed windows, built at the end of the 18th century in honor of victories over the Ottoman Empire. And in 1812, it was right here that Franz Leppikh secretly tried to create the first Russian steerable combat airship. Passing by the towers, turn right — the path will lead to the Church of the Life-Giving Trinity, the oldest stone building of the estate, which miraculously survived the Soviet years. Beyond lies the oak grove — a natural monument with century-old trees. On the way back, pay attention to the eastern wing with a dome: it used to be a greenhouse and now hosts ceremonial events. Behind it hides the Italian Garden, there stands the obelisk “Eternal Glory to the Defenders of the Russian Land,” and further on — a cascade of five Vorontsov ponds and the Chinese Garden with old trees. Along the entire route, there are quiet areas with benches. The walk will take from 1.5 to three hours.
Route through to the Mitino landscape park — this is a circular promenade covering all the main points. Start at the archaeological square, where large wooden letters with the park’s name are installed. Nearby is the Konstantino-Eleninsky Church: the white walls contrast with the crimson and ocher tree crowns. After that, the path leads deeper into the alley and soon brings you to the Penyaginsky Pond. Near the water, snow-white swans glide leisurely, and along the shore spread maples and willows, as if specially arranged for the perfect autumn picture. On the way, you will encounter café pavilions where you can take a break. Then the route passes by sports grounds along Baryshikha Street, turns almost 180 degrees, and returns to the pond’s water area. Next, it goes to the festival square along Penyaginskaya Street and then back to the pond, but from the opposite shore. From here, the park opens up from a new perspective. Along the road, there is an open-air cinema, the Ded Moroz estate, and a viewing platform. The circle ends with a bridge over the Baryshikha river and a dance floor, then the route returns to the starting point — the archaeological square. The walk will take about two hours.
Sokolniki — this is a park where you can easily spend the entire day, but even in three hours you can walk through the most picturesque places. Start from the main entrance and go to the Fountain Square, then turn into the 1st Radial Way. The path then leads straight to the Golden Pond. Here it’s worth stopping for a moment just to admire the autumn foliage by the water. After resting, move on to the 2nd Radial Way and return to the Fountain Square — walk around it in a circle and head towards Mitkovsky Drive. The next stop is the Lower May Pond: it’s pleasant to linger here and listen to the silence. The route then continues to the cascade of Putyaev Ponds — one of the most scenic spots in the park. You can reach this place via Mitkovsky Drive and the 2nd Radial Way, and at the intersection with the Crossway, turn right, walk to the 4th Radial Way, then turn left and go straight to the Large Putyaev Pond. The walk by the ponds will be a beautiful final point: from here, it’s convenient to exit into the city — so in three hours you’ll manage to see the most picturesque parts of the park and feel its rhythm.
Whatever route you choose, autumn in Moscow’s parks is worth stepping outside for. The main thing is to dress warmly, take a thermos with you, and not rush: it is in this unhurried pace that the full beauty of the golden season is revealed.
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