St. Petersburg Parks Officials Rank Top Walking Trails by Distance, Difficulty

St. Petersburg officials have released fresh ratings for the city's premier walking trails, sorting them by exact distances and difficulty levels for the summer months.

The rankings arrive as more residents turn to outdoor exercise during the longer daylight hours of July.

Two standout locations include the loop around Yelagin Island in the Kirovsky District and the network of paths in Moskovsky Victory Park near the Moskovskaya metro station. The St. Petersburg Parks and Recreation Department oversees maintenance at both sites.

Short and Easy Routes

The 2.8-kilometre waterfront stretch along the Fontanka River near the Summer Garden ranks as easy with mostly flat pavement and benches every 200 metres. Walkers complete the route in 45 minutes at a steady pace. The 3.1-kilometre circuit inside Tauride Garden offers similar conditions with added shade from mature trees planted in the 19th century.

Longer and Moderate Routes

Yelagin Island's main loop measures 6.5 kilometres and carries a moderate rating due to occasional gravel sections and one short incline near the yacht club. Moskovsky Victory Park's perimeter path extends 8.2 kilometres with several gentle slopes and open fields that increase wind exposure. Both trails received their current ratings after a department inspection completed on 28 June 2026.

A June 2026 audit by the department counted 12,450 daily users on average across monitored trails, with entry to guided sessions priced at 250 rubles per person.

Walkers can pick up printed maps at the Parks and Recreation Department office on Nevsky Prospekt or join the next free orientation walk scheduled for 20 July at the Yelagin Island main gate.