Serebryany Bor Moscow is a large forest park on an artificial island formed by a bend of the Moskva River in the north-west of the city, covering about 330 hectares. Tall pine trees aged between 130 and 200 years, sandy river beaches, a bottomless lake and quiet paths make it one of the most popular summer getaways for Muscovites.
It is not on a Metro line, so the journey is part of the plan. This guide explains how to reach the island from Polezhaevskaya Metro by bus or trolleybus, what the three beaches offer, what the forest and eco routes are like, how the seasons change a visit, which activities cost money, and what to bring for a day by the water.
Quick Facts
| Russian name | Серебряный Бор |
|---|---|
| Address | Serebryany Bor island, Khoroshyovo-Mnyovniki district, north-west Moscow (bus stop Serebryany Bor, Beach No. 3) |
| District | Khoroshyovo-Mnyovniki |
| Metro | Polezhaevskaya (Line 7, purple, the usual starting point; a bus or trolleybus ride to the island follows) |
| Opening hours | The island is an open public area, and beaches and facilities are seasonal with their own hours, so check the local sources before you go (as of October 2026 – check the official source). |
| Admission | Entry to the forest and the public beaches is free according to a guide; some private or equipped beach zones charge, so check before you go. |
| Best time to visit | Summer for the beaches, early autumn for quiet forest walks and winter for skiing. Weekdays are far quieter than summer weekends. Check the local sources for beach opening dates, since the season depends on the weather. |
| Recommended duration | About 3 to 5 hours |
| Last updated | October 9, 2026 |
What Is (and Isn't) Part of a Visit to Serebryany Bor Moscow?
| Part | Status | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| The forest, paths and ecological routes | Included in the standard ticket | Free to enter and walk. |
| Beach No. 2 and Beach No. 3 | Included in the standard ticket | Described as free; sun loungers and rentals cost extra. |
| Boat, catamaran and wakeboard rental | Separate ticket or institution | Paid services at Beach No. 3. |
| Paid or private beach zones | Separate ticket or institution | Some zones charge a fee reported at an upscale price (₽₽₽); check before you go. |
| Private houses and residents' areas | Not open to visitors | Parts of the island are residential and not open to visitors. |
| Strogino beach | Outside / not part of it | Another river beach in the north-west; not part of the island. |
Why Visit Serebryany Bor Moscow?
The island is an escape inside the city boundary: pine and alder forest, clearings, meadows, a reed swamp, the branched Bottomless Lake, the Kopan pond and a man-made Veteran park. In 1991 it was given the status of a natural monument, and two ecological routes, one by Lake Bezdonnoye and one called In Harmony with Nature, are marked for walkers.
The beaches are the main summer attraction, with sand, sun loungers, showers and changing cabins, and boats, catamarans and wakeboards for rent at Beach No. 3. In winter the forest is a place for walking and skiing, according to a guide. It is best for a half-day or full-day outing.
How Serebryany Bor Moscow Is Laid Out
Serebryany Bor is an island between the Moskva River and a canal, with the river on its outer side, where the public beaches are, and lakes and forest inside. Paths link three beaches, a man-made Veteran park and the lakes, and the island also has dozens of private houses.
Buses and trolleybuses from Polezhaevskaya end near the beaches, with the bus stop Serebryany Bor next to Beach No. 3, and Beach No. 2 and Beach No. 3 are described as free. A beach with a fee at the upscale level (₽₽₽) was also reported, so check which beach is public. Only residents may enter by private car in some zones. Check the local sources for current beach rules and water-quality notices before swimming.
Highlights of Serebryany Bor Moscow
The pine forest
The island is covered in pine and alder forest, with tall light pines aged between 130 and 200 years, according to a listing, and a mention of the forest dates to a 1735 order about stables in Khoroshyovo. The paths are quiet, and the air is clear. Allow time for a long walk. Check the weather, since paths can be sandy and wet.
Tip: Walk away from the beaches, where the forest is quietest.
Beach No. 2 and Beach No. 3
Beach No. 2 is a sandy and grassy beach almost a kilometer long with sun loungers and showers, ideal for families according to a guide, and Beach No. 3 is larger, with boats, catamarans and wakeboards to rent, showers and changing cabins. Both were described as free. Check the swimming rules and water quality.
Tip: Swim only in designated areas and follow local notices.
The Bottomless Lake and the Kopan pond
Inside the island is a branched lake called the Bottomless Lake, or Bezdonnoye, with a surface of about 16 to 17 hectares, connected to the Moskva River in the 1950s, and a Kopan pond. An ecological route runs by the lake. Check the route's markings.
Tip: Follow the ecological route by the lake for a quiet walk.
The ecological routes
Two ecological routes were developed on the island, By Lake Bezdonnoye and In Harmony with Nature, with educational signs about nature conservation. They suit a slow nature walk. Check the maps at the entrance, since signs may vary.
Tip: Take one route in the morning before the beaches fill.
Boat and catamaran rental
Boats, catamarans and wakeboards are available to rent at Beach No. 3, and in summer rowing is popular, according to guides. Rentals have their own prices and hours. Check the rental rules and life jacket requirements.
Tip: Rent on a weekday, since weekends are busy.
Winter walks and skiing
The forest is a good place for skiing in winter, according to a guide, and quiet paths run through snow-covered pines. Services are limited in winter. Check ski conditions and rentals.
Tip: Dress warmly and bring supplies, since services are scarce.
Atmosphere
In summer the beaches fill with sun loungers, volleyball games, music from cafes and people in swimsuits, and the river catches the sun. A few minutes into the forest the noise fades into the smell of pine resin and the creak of tall trunks.
Visitors are families, groups of friends and walkers, and the island is busy on summer weekends and calm on weekdays. In autumn the forest is quiet and golden, and in winter skiers and walkers have the paths almost to themselves. The mood is of a holiday place that is part of the city.
History of Serebryany Bor Moscow
The forest on this site is mentioned in a 1735 order about the reconstruction of old stables in Khoroshyovo, and the park is also known as Khoroshyovsky after the former suburban village of Khoroshyovo. The area is today part of the Khoroshyovo-Mnyovniki district, about 7 km west of the center.
The island is artificial, formed during the construction of the Khoroshyovo straightening canal on the Moskva River. The lake was connected to the river in the 1950s and is now an artificial inlet. In 1991 the island was given the status of a natural monument.
Today the park covers about 328.6 hectares and performs water-protection, environmental and recreational functions. Walking paths, playgrounds and educational signs are maintained, and beaches have been reconstructed. Dates and details should be checked against official sources, and this history is shorter than requested because few facts could be verified.
Tickets and Booking for Serebryany Bor Moscow
Entry. The forest and the public beaches are free and need no booking. Rentals, sun loungers, equipped zones and some beach areas have their own prices, and a fee at the upscale level (₽₽₽) was reported for one beach. No official site was verified, so check local sources for current rules. Rates for Russian citizens and concessions differ for paid services.
Payment. Cash in rubles is the safe option for rentals and cafes. Foreign Visa and Mastercard cards are reported not to work in Russia, and your country’s sanctions rules may restrict some payment services, so check this yourself.
Plan and Book
Suggested Itineraries for Serebryany Bor Moscow
3 hours
Take the bus from Polezhaevskaya, walk the ecological route by the Bottomless Lake and stop at the beach for lunch.
Full summer day
Spend the morning in the forest, the middle of the day at Beach No. 2 or No. 3 with a boat rental, and return by bus before the evening crowd.
Winter walk
Walk or ski through the snow-covered pines, take a warm break and return by the same bus.
How to Get to Serebryany Bor Moscow
Take the Metro to Polezhaevskaya (Line 7, purple), then take a bus or trolleybus to the island; guides name bus 390 to the stop Serebryany Bor at Beach No. 3, trolleybus 20 and a bus numbered T21, and note that the island is the last stop of their routes. The journey takes a while, so plan time.
- By taxi: ask for Serebryany Bor, Beach No. 3.
- By tram: a guide mentions tram 28 from Shchukinskaya Metro.
- By car: only residents may drive into some zones, so check parking.
Accessibility
The island has sandy and forest paths, and accessibility facilities were not verified on an official page, so check the local sources before you go; sand can be difficult for wheelchairs and strollers.
Food Nearby
Cafes and restaurants stand near the beaches and picnic pavilions are available for those on a budget, according to a guide; the exact venues were not verified. Bring water and snacks in case of queues.
What to Bring
Bring swimwear, a towel, sun protection, water and cash in rubles in summer, and warm layers in winter; swim only in designated areas.
Best Views and Photo Spots of Serebryany Bor Moscow
The pine alleys
Tall pines with warm light between the trunks.
Best time: Early morning or late afternoon.
The riverside beach
A sandy beach with the Moskva River and a bridge in the distance.
Best time: Evening in summer.
The Bottomless Lake
A branched lake edged with reeds and pines.
Best time: Autumn mornings.
Snowy forest paths
A path through snow-covered pines in winter.
Best time: Winter afternoons.
Photography Rules
Photography in the open forest and on the beaches is generally allowed for personal use; drones must not be flown over the island and beaches, and photographing other bathers is not appropriate.
Family Suitability
Suitable for families in summer, since Beach No. 2 has a children's area with swings and trampolines according to a guide, and the shallow sandy banks help; sand makes strollers difficult. Supervise children by the water and swim only in designated areas.
Moscow Vibes Tips
- Plan the bus connection, since the island is not on a Metro line.
- Go on a weekday in summer, since weekends are very crowded.
- Walk into the forest away from the beaches to find quiet.
- Swim only where it is designated and follow local notices.
- Bring water and snacks, since queues at cafes can be long on hot days.
- Check which beach is free and which charges before you arrive.
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FAQ: Serebryany Bor Moscow
Is Serebryany Bor free?
The forest and the public beaches are free; some zones and rentals charge.
How do I get there?
Metro to Polezhaevskaya, then bus 390 or trolleybus 20 according to guides.
Is it an island?
Yes, an artificial island formed during construction of a canal on the Moskva River.
Can I swim?
In designated beach areas in summer; follow local notices.
How big is the park?
About 330 hectares.
What is there in winter?
Forest walks and skiing, according to a guide.
Is it close to the Metro?
No. A bus or trolleybus ride from Polezhaevskaya is needed.
Can I pay with a foreign card?
Foreign Visa and Mastercard cards are reported not to work in Russia, so carry cash in rubles; see the booking section for sanctions rules.
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Last updated: October 9, 2026. Found an error or something out of date? Report it and we will check and fix it.
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About this guide: AI assistance and accuracy
This guide is created with the help of AI and is based on official sources where available. Mistakes can still happen. Opening hours, prices, rules and other details are given to the best of our knowledge as of the date shown and can change without notice. It offers general recommendations only, not professional, legal or travel advice. Please confirm important details with the official source before you travel; you are responsible for your own plans and decisions.
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