From Belopesotsky Backwater via Old Kashira and Bunchikha Gorge to Zhilyovo

Belopesotsky Backwater, Old Kashira’s earthworks and Bunchikha Gorge form a varied walking outing in southern Moscow Region. The beginning lies on Belopesotsky’s railway side, where a settlement passage gives way to a bank-side road near the backwater. Among pine-covered areas, choose stable accessible ground for a waterside pause. The course then reaches fields and the Kashirka road crossing. Beyond the river, the path approaches Old Kashira Fortified Site. Its western earthworks reveal the outline of the former stronghold, with river valleys visible from open places. Slow down to examine the landform while avoiding crumbling slopes and damage to the monument. The memorial cross stands on another side of the site, so its separate approach should not be confused with the chosen passage. Field and woodland roads continue past the Khochema side towards Laptevo, crossing the Khochemka at a ford. Staroe’s Nativity of the Mother of God Church stands beside the road, built from locally made brick. Beyond the village, the hike returns to woodland, where the Bunchikha creates its own small world of steep banks, limestone exposures and rock fragments. Notice this unusual valley from safe existing approaches and choose footing carefully on descents. Beyond the gorge lies the Vozrozhdeniye side, followed by roads near a children’s health-resort fence and an extended woodland continuation towards Zhilyovo. Prepare a permitted passenger approach at the station beforehand. Water crossings and bank conditions determine whether the complete outing is possible; in suitable conditions, spreading it across several days requires separately checked permitted overnight locations. This leaves time for the backwater, fortified-site history and wooded Bunchikha in turn.