The Lavra Road with a walking return to Pushkino: hiking in Moscow region
TrailTrack route Hiking Moscow region Multi-day
Waiting for the first trip report

The Lavra Road with a walking return to Pushkino

Distance
155.6 km
Estimated moving time
2 d 20 min
Elevation gain
—
Difficulty
Hard
Open on map
Download route
GPXFor navigation apps KMLFor Google Earth and maps

Route description

Walk from Moscow to the Lavra and then turn back towards the roads of the surrounding region: that is the idea behind this extended journey. The city is still noisy beside the Resurrection Gate; Rostokino Aqueduct opens up the Yauza valley before old settlements and woodland passages gradually take over. Tayninskoye, Radonezh and Khotkovo lead towards Sergiev Posad through different chapters of the story of St Sergius. The Lavra is the high point of the journey, followed by a southward return towards Pushkino. That continuation gives you more time in the rhythm of walking, meeting regional woods and residential outskirts from another direction. Dry ground is particularly important here: check the difficult passage south of Sofrino beforehand and choose a permitted alternative if necessary. Give the monastery an unhurried visit before setting out again.

Route status

Проверяем свежесть данных по треку и учитываем сообщения сообщества

Запретов на посещение и пожаров рядом нет

Проверяем спутниковые данные о пожарах и предупреждения по региону.

Следить за маршрутом
Подробнее о состоянии маршрута No recent trail condition reports
Data source Added from a track

This route was added from a track. Individual sections have not been checked in the field.

Last updated Update date not provided

Before travelling, check trail access, restrictions and the weather forecast.

Current conditions No recent trail condition reports

Conditions may have changed. Share a report after completing the route.

Community experience

Recent completions

0

Be the first to confirm a completion and help other travellers.

Elevation profile

gentle climb steep

Surface

Dirt 16% · Asphalt 15% · Dirt / grass 6% · Unknown 52%

Surface data covers 75.3 km of 155.6 km; the rest of the track is not yet classified.

Dirt 16% · 25.2 km
Asphalt 15% · 23.0 km
Dirt / grass 6% · 9.67 km
Paving stones 5% · 7.29 km
Improved surface 3% · 4.92 km
Gravel 2% · 2.62 km
Fine gravel 1% · 1.65 km
Concrete 1% · 1.01 km
Unknown 52% · 80.3 km

Before you go

Всё важное о маршруте

Route at a glance

Главное за минуту
Combine the pilgrimage to the Trinity Lavra of St Sergius with an independent walking return to Pushkino. This variation suits walkers who want to continue their regional journey after visiting the monastery.
Length
155.6 km
Elevation gain
1584 m
Surface
Dirt 16%
The Lavra Road with a walking return to Pushkino: route photo 5 in Moscow region

Route suitability

Кому будет комфортно
Without a car Yes
With children With caution
With a dog Не проверено
By bike No
With a stroller No
Mobile signal Patchy

Nearby

After the Lavra, allow a separate day for Sergiev Posad museums before beginning the return. Pilgrimage passports and stamps follow the main-road organiser’s arrangements. The southern return is an additional walk in this variation; arrange its accommodation and railway approaches separately.

Getting there

Варианты и важные моменты Show on map
Without a car
Okhotny Ryad metro provides access to the Moscow beginning. Rutrail identifies Pushkino, Sofrino and Khotkovo railway stations for separate outings along the main road. After the Lavra, finish with a separate walk to Sergiev Posad station if preferred. For the complete southward return, plan the final urban approach to Pushkino station separately: the walk does not automatically finish at a platform. Check timetables for the selected date.
By car
For a single stage, choose a lawful urban drop-off location and arrange a meeting after the walk. Do not continue driving along woodland passages. If leaving a vehicle, remember that the complete journey starts in Moscow and finishes in Pushkino.
Parking
Dedicated parking for the whole extended journey has not been confirmed. At your selected day start check signs, payment conditions and stopping restrictions; arrange vehicle retrieval separately.

Электрички туда и обратно

Расписание на дату и время, до которого нужно выйти на маршрут

What to expect

Places
Kilometre Zero The marker beside the Resurrection Gate is the symbolic start of the Lavra Road, a place to pause before leaving the historic centre.
Rostokino Aqueduct Stone arches above the Yauza recall the Mytishchi water supply. The Moscow Sport walking project describes the gallery supported by 21 arches; the structure is also rewarding to view from below.
Annunciation Church in Tayninskoye The church in Tayninskoye is a historic stop on the pilgrimage route. If collecting a pilgrimage stamp, check the church shop’s availability beforehand.
St Sergius Memorial in Radonezh The memorial marks the Radonezh section of the walk, offering a quiet pause before continuing towards Khotkovo.
Khotkovo Intercession Convent The convent is associated with the parents of St Sergius. Its 1816 Intercession Cathedral is a five-domed Classical church; observe the convent’s rules when visiting or attending a service.
Kelarsky Pond This pond in Sergiev Posad is listed among the stops on the Lavra Road. A waterside pause makes a gentle transition from the long approach to exploring the town.
Trinity Lavra of St Sergius The monastery ensemble developed around the white-stone Trinity Cathedral of 1422–1423. Allow time to explore the Lavra separately from the walking stage.

Difficult sections and safety

На что обратить внимание
Elevation gainСуммарный набор высоты — 1584 м.
SurfaceDirt 16%, Asphalt 15%, Dirt / grass 6%, Unknown 52%.
Риски The effort continues after reaching the Lavra: the southward return needs further walking stages. Check the unpaved passage south of Sofrino near Zelenogradskaya especially carefully. The mapping source allows pedestrian access but describes the surface as extremely difficult. Do not assume easy passage; establish present conditions and a permitted alternative beforehand. Rain can also slow other woodland sections. The Moscow beginning of the main road lacks assured waymarking; fires are prohibited in protected places. Observe monastery visiting rules.

How much time to allow

Оцените свой темп
Расчётное время в пути 2 d 20 min
С запасом на остановки + 30–60 мин
For the complete walking variation with a return to Pushkino, allow a multi-day plan of 7–9 days. An ordinary stage of 18–25 km usually needs 6–8 hours with breaks; difficult ground may require additional time. Days 1–3: leave Moscow and walk regional stages towards Pushkino and Sofrino. Days 4–5: Radonezh, Khotkovo, Sergiev Posad and the Lavra. Days 6–9: the independent southward return to Pushkino, allowing for the difficult passage and a possible alternative. This is an editorial plan for the extended variation; the organiser’s published five-day programme ends at the Lavra. Book nights for your actual stage boundaries or return home between day outings. Accommodation along the southern continuation has not been independently confirmed.

Best time to go

Сезонность и рекомендации
Choose settled dry weather from late spring to early autumn. Ground conditions matter more than the calendar on the southward return: prolonged rain may make the difficult passage unsuitable even in midsummer. Carry additional water in heat and protect against insects in spring and summer. Winter needs a separate check of woodland paths and shorter daylight stages.

What to bring

Базовый список для комфортного похода
Broken-in shoes for successive walking days and spare socks.
Water and food for each stage, without relying on incidental springs.
Rain protection and seasonal sun and insect protection.
A map of permitted roads and possible alternatives, phone and power bank.
Personal first-aid supplies and clothing suitable for monasteries.

FAQ

Questions before the trip

Can I do this route without a car?

Okhotny Ryad metro provides access to the Moscow beginning. Rutrail identifies Pushkino, Sofrino and Khotkovo railway stations for separate outings along the main road. After the Lavra, finish with a separate walk to Sergiev Posad station if preferred. For the complete southward return, plan the final urban approach to Pushkino station separately: the walk.

Is this route suitable for children?

Possible with caution: review the surface, difficult sections, and extra time for stops in advance.

Can I download GPX and KML?

Yes, GPX and KML are available on the route page. Open the map, download the file, and use it in a navigator before your trip; key route facts: 155.6 km, hard.

Discussion

Comments 0

Log in to read the discussion and leave comments.

Ask about the route or its surface, or share your experience.

Log in Sign up