The Lavra Road and separate walks around Pushkino and Sofrino: hiking in Moscow region
TrailTrack route Hiking Moscow region Multi-day
Waiting for the first trip report

The Lavra Road and separate walks around Pushkino and Sofrino

Distance
126.7 km
Estimated moving time
1 d 13 h
Elevation gain
234 m
Difficulty
Hard
Open on map
Download route
GPXFor navigation apps KMLFor Google Earth and maps

Route description

This variation of the Lavra Road combines the long walk from Moscow to Sergiev Posad with independent outings around Pushkino and Sofrino. The main journey begins at the Resurrection Gate: city history gives way to the Yauza valley, the stone arches of Rostokino Aqueduct and regional roads. The pilgrimage story becomes particularly tangible in Tayninskoye, Radonezh and Khotkovo, while Kelarsky Pond signals the approach to the Lavra. The southern branches offer a smaller scale of exploration: return on a separate outing to woodland passages and settlement surroundings. Choose them independently, checking access and your return arrangements. For a continuous journey to the monastery, follow the main Moscow–Lavra road; the additional walks do not extend from Sergiev Posad. This format lets you experience the larger historical journey first and look more closely at familiar regional places later.

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.

OpenStreetMap: https://www.openstreetmap.org/relation/9403045 Geometry imported from GPX. Trail conditions have not been checked in the field. Difficulty was estimated automatically from distance and elevation gain.

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

Asphalt 26% · Dirt 15% · Improved surface 5% · Unknown 47%

Surface data covers 67.3 km of 126.7 km; the rest of the track is not yet classified.

Asphalt 26% · 33.4 km
Dirt 15% · 18.9 km
Improved surface 5% · 6.23 km
Dirt / grass 3% · 3.98 km
Compacted dirt 1% · 1.83 km
Concrete 1% · 1.34 km
Gravel 1% · 1.20 km
Paving stones 1% · 0.49 km
Unknown 47% · 59.4 km

Before you go

Всё важное о маршруте

Route at a glance

Главное за минуту
Walk the principal pilgrimage road to the Lavra and keep separate regional outings for another day. Rostokino Aqueduct, Tayninskoye, Radonezh and Khotkovo Convent connect the main journey, while the southern walks provide a reason to return without rushing.
Length
126.7 km
Elevation gain
234 m
Surface
Asphalt 26%
The Lavra Road and separate walks around Pushkino and Sofrino: route photo

Route suitability

Кому будет комфортно
Without a car - Yes With children - With caution With a dog - No data By bike - Partially With a stroller - No Mobile signal - Patchy With children choose a short section with a convenient return. Prepared cyclists may consider the main Lavra Road under Rutrail’s recommendations, but check passage through religious sites and individual branches independently. The complete walking road is unsuitable for a stroller. Dog admission to monasteries and every section has not been established. The main-road organiser reports unstable reception.

Nearby

A pilgrimage passport and stamps add another thread to the main road; ask the organiser about current collection points. Leave separate time for Sergiev Posad after reaching the Lavra. Return to the southern walks from your chosen settlement, arranging transport beforehand instead of attempting to combine every part into one outing.

Getting there

Варианты и важные моменты Show on map
Without a car
Access the Moscow beginning from Okhotny Ryad metro. After the main journey to the Lavra, walk separately to Sergiev Posad station. Rutrail also confirms suburban train access to Pushkino, Sofrino and Khotkovo, useful for separate day stages. For each additional southern outing, establish the precise approach from your chosen station and the return point: an individual branch does not necessarily begin at a platform.
By car
For a southern outing, choose lawful drop-off and finish locations beforehand. The main Moscow–Lavra road needs a separate vehicle-retrieval plan. Woodland walking passages do not continue the vehicle approach.
Parking
A dedicated parking facility for these separate walks is not confirmed. Before leaving a vehicle, check local signs, permission and payment conditions at your selected starting point.

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 — 234 м.
SurfaceAsphalt 26%, Dirt 15%, Improved surface 5%, Unknown 47%.
Риски The main road requires preparation for successive walking days, city crossings and wet woodland ground. The Moscow section lacks assured waymarking. The additional southern outings are separate: this variation does not establish a direct walking connection between their endpoints and the Lavra. Reach each section through your selected settlement and permitted roads. Do not light fires in protected sections, and follow religious-site visiting rules.

How much time to allow

Оцените свой темп
Расчётное время в пути 1 d 13 h
С запасом на остановки + 30–60 мин
Plan the main Moscow–Lavra road as a multi-day journey of 5–7 days, usually walking 20–25 km in 6–8 hours with breaks. Day 1: Moscow and the northern outskirts. Days 2–3: regional stages towards Pushkino and Sofrino. Days 4–5: Radonezh, Khotkovo and the approach to the Lavra; at an unhurried pace spread this part through days 6–7. Arrange nights for actual stage boundaries or return home between outings. Choose the additional southern sections on another day: a short piece near Pushkino, a roughly 3 km outing around Pravdinsky or approximately 6 km south of Sofrino. Allow about 30 minutes, 1–2 hours or 2–3 hours respectively, plus the actual transport approaches. These sections do not form a continuous continuation from the Lavra.

Best time to go

Сезонность и рекомендации
Dry weather from late spring to early autumn makes city and woodland stages easier to combine. For an individual regional outing, wait for ground to dry after heavy rain. In summer protect against sun and insects; in transitional seasons allow for mud and earlier darkness. Check winter woodland passages and religious-site conditions separately.

What to bring

Базовый список для комфортного похода
Comfortable broken-in footwear for urban and unpaved walking.
Water and food for the selected day stage.
A map of the specific section and its approaches, phone and power bank.
Rain protection and seasonal sun and insect protection.
Personal first-aid supplies and suitable monastery clothing.

FAQ

Questions before the trip

Can I do this route without a car?

Access the Moscow beginning from Okhotny Ryad metro. After the main journey to the Lavra, walk separately to Sergiev Posad station. Rutrail also confirms suburban train access to Pushkino, Sofrino and Khotkovo, useful for separate day stages. For each additional southern outing, establish the precise approach from your chosen station and the return point.

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: 126.7 km, hard.

Photo authors and sources
  1. Route photo 1 Original source

    Converted to WebP, maximum 1800×1200 px, no crop.

  2. Route photo 2 Original source

    Converted to WebP, maximum 1800×1200 px, no crop.

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