Autumn walking route in Kyiv: Holosiivskyi park and Orykhuvatski ponds
An autumn walk through parkland, ponds, and forest in southern Kyiv.
You don’t have to stay in central Kyiv to enjoy the city in autumn. In the south of the city, this route takes you from busy Holosiivskyi Avenue through tree-lined park paths and a cascade of ponds before reaching the forest.
The walk starts and ends at Holosiivska metro station. Along the way, you can stop by the water, explore the forest trails, or take a break for coffee or lunch in the park.
The map shows the main points along the route. There is no single trail to follow through the forest, so take your time, stick to the main paths, and check the map occasionally to stay oriented.
Route at a Glance
- Start and finish: Holosiivska metro station
- Main points: Holosiivskyi Park → Orykhuvatski Ponds → Holosiivskyi Forest → return through the park
- Distance: about 6.6 km
- Time: 2–3 hours at a relaxed pace, including stops
- Difficulty: easy; part of the route follows unpaved forest trails
- Best time: October to early November, during daylight hours
- Footwear: comfortable walking shoes; forest trails can get muddy after rain
- Google Maps: route map
1. Start at Holosiivska metro station
Holosiivska metro station is the easiest place to begin. From here, you can walk straight into Maksym Rylskyi Park without needing any additional transport.
For the first few minutes, you’ll still be close to Holosiivskyi Avenue. But the traffic soon fades into the background as trees and park paths take over.
That easy transition is part of what makes this route so convenient: there’s no need to leave Kyiv for a few hours in nature. Step out of the metro, and within minutes you’re in the park.
If it’s your first time using the metro in Kyiv, check the Kyiv metro map before you go.
2. Take your time in Holosiivskyi Park
The first part feels like a classic city park: broad paths, benches, runners, cyclists, and locals out walking their dogs.
Autumn is a good reason to slow down. The trees turn yellow and orange, fallen leaves cover the paths, and the farther you walk from the avenue, the quieter it gets.
There’s more to do here than walk. The park has sports and children’s areas, equipment rental, cycling routes, and seasonal attractions. If you’re interested in any of these, check what’s open before your visit, as availability can change with the season and weather.
For this route, stay on the main paths and continue towards the Orykhuvatski Ponds.
If you’re looking for more green spaces to explore around the city, Visit Kyiv also has a guide to parks, squares, and botanical gardens in Kyiv.
3. Stop at the Orykhuvatski Ponds
The Orykhuvatski Ponds are a cascade of four ponds along the Orykhuvatka valley. This is where the character of the walk starts to change: the broad park paths give way to quieter paths beside the water.
Take some time here. In autumn, the trees are reflected in the ponds, and you may spot waterbirds including mallards, coots, moorhens, and grey herons.
There’s no particular viewpoint you need to find. Walk along the shore, find a bench, or simply stop by the water for a few minutes.
A boat station also operates here during the warmer months. If you’re planning to use it, check the current schedule before your visit, as opening times are seasonal.
4. Follow the cascade
Continue along the ponds from here.
This is one of the quietest stretches of the walk. The water stays close, signs of the city gradually become less noticeable, and the path leads deeper into Holosiiv’s green landscape.
In autumn, it’s worth paying attention to the smaller details: fallen leaves at the water’s edge, reflections in the ponds, birds on the water, and narrow paths winding between the trees.
Keep following the cascade until the landscaped park gradually starts to feel more like woodland.
5. Watch the park turn into forest
Beyond the ponds, the landscape changes again. Wide park paths become less common, the trees grow denser, and paved surfaces give way to unpaved trails.
This transition is one of the best parts of the route. You’re still in Kyiv and within easy reach of the metro, but it already feels much more like a forest than a city park.
There is no sharp boundary between Holosiivskyi Park and the surrounding woodland. The maintained park simply becomes wilder as you walk.
There’s no need to venture deep into the forest. Follow the main trails for a while, enjoy the change of scenery, and then begin making your way back towards the park.
6. Explore the forest trails at your own pace
There is no single trail you have to follow through this part of Holosiivskyi Forest. The paths branch in different directions, so think of this as the flexible part of the route.
The map marks the main points of the walk, but you don’t need to follow the Google Maps line exactly once you’re in the forest. Stick to the main trails, walk at your own pace, and check your location occasionally. There’s no need to go far into the woods to get a feel for this part of Holosiiv.
This is a good place to slow down. Tall trees, uneven terrain, and trails covered in fallen leaves make the city feel surprisingly far away.
When you’re ready to head back, use the next point on the map to get your bearings. From there, the route takes you back through the park towards Holosiivska metro station.
Where to Stop for Coffee or Lunch
You don’t have to leave the park area when you get hungry. There are several places to stop along or close to the route.
Orman is a restaurant surrounded by trees at 87F Holosiivskyi Avenue, serving Azerbaijani and Ukrainian dishes. It’s a good option for a proper lunch or dinner after the walk.
Dvir Holosiivskyi, at 87B Holosiivskyi Avenue, is another option for a longer break. The restaurant complex serves European, Georgian, and Middle Eastern food and has outdoor seating during the warmer months.
Holosiievo Café, near one of the ponds, is a more casual option if you’d rather take a break by the water than sit down for a full restaurant meal.
Opening hours can change, so check them before you go.
For more places to eat around the city, explore Visit Kyiv’s restaurants in Kyiv.
If You Have More Time
This walk is easy to adapt depending on how much time you have.
1–2 hours: walk through the park to the ponds, spend some time by the water, and return to the metro.
Half a day: complete the full route, explore the forest section, spend longer by the ponds, and stop for lunch in the park.
With children: allow extra time in the park and check whether the rides and other seasonal activities are operating.
For a more active day: use the park and forest trails for running or cycling.
That flexibility is part of Holosiivskyi Park’s appeal. You can come for a short autumn walk or easily spend half a day here.
How to Get Back
The easiest option is to finish where you started, at Holosiivska metro station.
From the forest, follow the main trails back towards the park and then continue towards Holosiivskyi Avenue. If you’re planning to stop for coffee or a meal, the return leg is a convenient time to do it.
Use the route map above as your guide – you don’t need to retrace every step of the outward walk.
What to Know Before You Go
Start while it’s still light. Kyiv gets dark early in autumn, and part of this route follows forest trails.
Check the weather. Almost the entire walk is outdoors, and unpaved trails can become muddy or slippery after rain.
Wear comfortable shoes. The main park paths are maintained, but the forest section is mostly unpaved.
Check seasonal activities before you go. The boat station, amusement rides, and some other activities may operate seasonally or depending on the weather.
Stick to the main forest trails. You don’t need to venture deep into the woods for this route. If you want a longer walk through Holosiivskyi National Nature Park, plan it as a separate route.
Check the current safety situation before heading out. If you’re new to Kyiv, read Visit Kyiv’s guide to what to do during an air raid alert and save the Kyiv shelter map. Holosiivska metro station can also be used as a shelter during air raid alerts.
