On this short self-guided walking itinerary along the Moscow River you will take in some of the best, and worst, monuments and cultural sites of Moscow on foot. You’ll also be rewarded with excellent views of the Kremlin complex and the Moscow River
Despite its general architectural beauty, Moscow is not the most attractive city to explore on foot. But, this short itinerary follows a section of the Moscow River from Gorky Park (Park Kulturny) to the famous GUM department store on Red Square.
On the way you will be rewarded with excellent photo opportunities of some of the city’s best sites and discover what might be the world’s worse monument.
Begin the walk at Gorky Park’s gates on Leniny Prospekt. Before heading off towards Red Square, it’s worth doing a lap of the park’s attractive lake.
From Gorky Park make your way to the path by the river. You can cross a car park from the gates of Gorky Park on Leniny Prospekt. Alternatively, from within the park, you can join the river from Andreevsky Most Bridge. This will also lengthen the walk a little.
The first steps of this walk from Gorky Park are not particularly attractive but stick with it as you will be well rewarded with excellent views of the city later on.
Follow the river path until you reach the Peter the Great monument erected in 1997 to commemorate the 300th anniversary of the Russian navy.
According to its Wikipedia entry, the 98-metre statue has been voted among the ugliest buildings and statues in the world. You will likely find yourself agreeing with this assessment.
You may also find yourself wondering what the good people of Moscow were thinking. When the French wanted to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the revolution they built the Eiffel Tower. Nice. When the Russians wanted to commemorate the 300th anniversary of their navy, they came up with this. As beauty is in the eye of the beholder, you might think it’s fabulous so you should see for yourself.
Opposite the Peter the Great monument you have the entrance to Sculpture Park, which you may choose to explore. There is an entrance fee. From here continue along the river until it branches. You are now following the Vodootvodny Canal.
On Bolotny island to your left you will see the famed Red October chocolate factory. Chocolate was once made here for the Tsars but the sweet smell of chocolate no longer wafts over the neighbourhood.
It was reported in western media in 2007 that the factory was to be relocated to the outskirts of Moscow and this site converted to luxury loft apartments in a controversial development.
Red October chocolate can be purchased across Russia.
When you’re done admiring Peter and wishing you had some chocolate, continue along the canal and cross the intersection of at Ul. Serafimovicha. You will cross this bridge shortly but for now continue along the canal to an attractive footbridge at Lavrushinsky Per. On this footbridge lovers have ‘locked in’ their relationships by securing padlocks to the trees.
Cross the footbridge into Bolotnya place where there is a small attractive park. Turn right and go to the far end of the square to visit a 15 figure sculptural composition by Mihail Chemiakin entitled Children are the victims of adults vices.
Now retrace your steps over the footbridge and back to the bridge at UL. Serafimovicha. Cross this bridge to the far side of the Moscow River and then use the pedestrian crossing to join the footpath on Kremlevskaya Nab.
While crossing this bridge you will find a lookout point with an excellent photo opportunity to capture the Kremlin Walls, the tops of the cathedrals inside the walls and the boats on the Moscow River. Look behind you for views of the Cathedral of Christ the Saviour.
Once you join the footpath outside the Kremlin walls, begin to skirt the walls with the river on your right. Follow the Kremlin walls around to your left where you will have a fine view of St Basil’s Cathedral. Continue past the cathedral into Red Square where you will have Lenin’s tomb to your left and the red towers of the state historical museum in front.
On your right stands the impressive GUM department store and the end of this walk. The Wikipedia entry for GUM explains that the site opened for trade in the 1890s, was closed by Stalin and used for office space before reopening in the 1950s.
During the Soviet era queues would often stretch around Red Square. Today GUM is home to more than 100 western designer labels including the likes of Dior, Gucci and Prada. So much for communism. You can also pick up some quality Russian porcelain and there are plenty of souvenir shops.
Details
This walk is approximately 6 kilometres long including a brief exploration of Sculpture Park. You can reach the start of the walk by Moscow metro to OKTYBRSKAYA station or take a taxi to Gorky Park. Get a cultural map of Moscow from your hotel to help guide you.
This walking tour was ‘road tested’ by Louise on 26th June, 2011.