Russia Plans New Pilgrimage Trail Spanning Its Historic North

MOSCOW, April 6 – A new pilgrimage and cultural route, the "Great Russian Northern Route," is slated for official designation as a national tourist trail this year. According to the Moscow region's Ministry of Culture and Tourism, the route will join the existing "Leo Tolstoy's Russia" path in the national registry.

The extensive trail retraces historic roads to the spiritual centers of the Russian North, linking central regions with the country's Arctic territories. It is designed to offer travelers a journey through areas known for distinctive wooden architecture, stark natural landscapes, and deep-rooted spiritual traditions.

Spanning 12 federal regions and 15 dioceses of the Russian Orthodox Church, the route will include a significant section through the Moscow region. This portion splits into two tracks. The first, in the Sergiyev Posad diocese, includes sites like the Trinity Lavra of St. Sergius, the Khotkovo convent, the Abramtsevo museum-estate, and several historic monastic sketes.

The second track runs through the Odintsovo diocese, featuring the Joseph-Volotsky Monastery, the Volokolamsk Kremlin, the Borodino convent, and the New Jerusalem Monastery. Officials state that national route status will help develop higher-quality, more comprehensive travel packages, aiming to draw more visitors under the federal "Tourism and Hospitality" project.