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This Duo Is Preaching the Power of Healing Through Mindfulness In the Outdoors

Learn why Kenya and Michelle Jackson-Saulters, founders of The Outdoor Journal Tour, believe combining nature and meditation is the secret sauce of self-care.

Community is a word you hear often. It not only gives you an opportunity to be a part of something larger, but it also creates a safe space for the exchange of ideas and feelings. This is exactly what Kenya and Michelle Jackson-Saulters hoped to build when they founded The Outdoor Journal Tour in 2015 as a wellness organization aimed at helping women form a deeper connection with themselves and the world around them through mindfulness and movement.

"Women often don't center themselves," says Michelle. "We often feel like we are alone, and the feelings that we are experiencing are only ours. What we have noticed, though, is that many of us are having similar experiences, and this level of camaraderie is what helps women feel less isolated and more confident."

The Outdoor Journal Tour forges this fellowship in group settings through a combination of outdoor movement—often hiking—journaling, and meditation. This mix is not only a natural synergy that works well with their program but also these interventions are scientifically proven to reduce stress and anxiety and increase serotonin and dopamine production, which makes people feel good, explains Kenya. "It exposes so many people to the healing tenants of nature," she adds. (

Plus, "there's something about that exhaustion after being physically active that takes down some of our internal walls, making us feel a little freer and more open," adds Michelle. "There's also a part of us that feels accomplished." (

Kenya and Michelle both say they have struggled with depression and anxiety in the past and were chasing more feel-good moments in their own lives—and were sure other women were too.

Their hunch was confirmed after a hike in Stone Mountain Park in Georgia, when Kenya, Michelle, and a few other friends were meditating. When they opened their eyes, two other women had joined in, asking how they could be a part of the group. While her initial motives were to help tame her own anxiety, Kenya saw the other women's interest as an opportunity. (

So, what started as a hike paired with a moment of mindfulness and healing among friends has now, three years later, blossomed into a community of roughly 31,000 women who participate in monthly in-person hikes as well as an annual program called #wehiketoheal. The month-long initiative includes a host of online resources such as eBooks, masterclasses, and seminars, as well as in-person community hikes all over the world. They've even recently launched a #wehiketoheal at-home box which is chockful of journals, prompt cards, essential oils, a candle, and a plant—perfect for those who can't get to the outdoors right now. And while this group was created to uplift and empower all women, Kenya and Michelle, who have been together as a couple since 2010, are not shy about being their authentic selves. "Michelle and I show up in the world very unapologetically and proudly as Black women and queer women," says Kenya. (

The duo shows no sign of slowing down. "In the beginning, I don't think we really understood that we were leaders and that there was a responsibility in holding and creating space for these women where they feel safe to be themselves and to be honest and vulnerable with themselves and others," says Michelle. "Having women say that this experience has shifted their lives or they have felt some sort of release is why I'm most proud."

This impact is why the couple didn't let COVID-19 put a damper on their programming or impede their ability to provide respite. Instead, they channeled their efforts into online gatherings, offering journaling activities, conversations, and even a special edition virtual #hiketoheal week honoring Black healing, featuring a range of topics from mental health and money to racism and the running community. This seven-day event was created as a response to the issues of racial injustice plaguing the country, namely the tragic killings of George Floyd and Breonna Taylor. They also still encouraged members to make time to head outdoors solo even when larger communal gatherings were put on hold. (

Michelle Jackson-Saulters, co-founder of The Outdoor Journal Tour

Everything is traumatic right now and we have to be able to manage that trauma somehow. A lot of people have been able to do that through mindful movement in the outdoors.

That time outside doesn't have to be lengthy, according to the couple. Even just 30 minutes, which can mean anything from going for a walk to sitting outside on your patio, is enough to reap the benefits. (FYI: A review of s tudies revealed that being outdoors in green spaces helped improve self-esteem and mood.) But getting outdoors and basking in nature isn't the only way they've encouraged their tribe to take a moment of self-care. Other recommendations include: jotting down 5-10 things you are grateful for each day and tuning into Meditative Mind on YouTube, a channel that offers binaural beats, which is music using two different frequencies that can create certain emotions, feelings, and physical sensations such as creating a sense of calm. Even spending just five minutes with one of these self-care practices, can make a difference—maybe not the first, second, or even fifth time you do it, but with a consistent commitment to yourself, you can create lasting change. (

"We are socialized as women to be caretakers and nurturers," says Michelle. "We inherently tend to put ourselves last, and this movement is meant to help women put themselves first for once."

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The Outdoor Journal Tour is a hybrid wellness organization that merges mindfulness and movement in the great outdoors. ODJT was co-founded by Kenya and Michelle Jackson-Saulters in 2015 in Atlanta, GA. They are currently sponsored by REI and KIND and travel throughout the USA creating popup ‘Hike, Journal, Meditate’ experiences for women of all ages. They recently published their first guided journal, The Journal of Mindful Movement with the support of REI. The two strive to create a safe space and thriving community for women seeking balance and a deeper connection with themselves and the world around them. They believe the great outdoors and Mother Nature herself is the perfect conduit to create and facilitate this space.

Prior to creating the Outdoor Journal Tour the two of us only went on one hike together. Back then, Kenya was the uber educated Buddhist writer and introverted party girl, and I was the rom-com loving German-American curvy girl trying to find my way. As with most 30-ish women, life was stressful at times. We both struggled with depression and anxiety at multiple points in our lives. I used exercise to tame my mind and Kenya used writing. Thanks to young love, we gladly participated in each other’s practices. I infected Kenya with my appreciation of a good runners’ high, and she introduced me to journaling and a purposeful self-care practice.

It wasn’t until 2015 however, that we found ourselves with a small group of friends on top of Stone Mountain in search of something new. Kenya was so struck by the moment that she offered to lead us in a guided meditation. When we opened our eyes, we noticed that two other women had joined us. We laughed when they asked how to join the program, because – what program? Those women had no idea the wheels they put into motion that day. We realized that if we, two black, queer, city girls, were searching for more magical moments like the one we experienced on the summit that day, there had to be more women looking for the same. So we created the Outdoor Journal Tour for us. All of us. Women everywhere, of all shapes, sizes, skill level, race, orientation, age, religion, you name it. We were on a mission to get more women outside and connecting with themselves and Mother Nature.

We very quickly realized that after we hiked up Stone Mountain our muscles were sore, but our minds were clear. The worry and anxiety that we woke up with that morning was forgotten, at least for the moment. We only had space in our mind to be proud of ourselves and our bodies for making it to the top and to gush about how amazing the view was.   We were open. And there is something powerful that happens when you take that beautiful energy and direct it where to go. We also recognized that because we were physically exhausted, our barriers were down, and even when we discussed our woes it was different, not commiserating like we all tend to do, but as an objective observer to ourselves. Ok, it may be cheesy to talk about your feelings and evaluate our thoughts at the summit of a mountain, but at the end of the day, we all want to same thing – to be happy, heard and accepted. We’ve found that creating community around your true self does just that and that is exactly what we aimed to create with the Outdoor Journal Tour.

In March of 2017, we wanted to hone in our efforts even further and we created the #wehiketoheal campaign. The mission was simple, to encourage women all over the world to tap into the healing and empowering influences within ourselves and the great outdoors. Throughout the month, we shared an array of mindfulness resources and exercises with the women that registered. Then on the last Saturday of March, we enlisted several partners to host #wehikeheal group hikes all over the world. We had a total of 10 group hikes that first year from Portland, OR to the Lake District in the UK; women everywhere were hiking to heal! It was so incredible that we decided to make it an annual event and had our second #wehiketoheal campaign again this March. We had over 600 women register and 19 #wehiketoheal group hikes across the globe during our 2018 campaign. After seeing how well the mindfulness resources were received, we took all the content that we created over the previous 2 years and published our first guided journal, the Journal of Mindful Movement. The journal is based on what we call, the 4 pillars of Mindful Movement, which are: Mind, Body, Relationships and Community. It includes, writing prompts, meditations, and other group and individual exercises on those subjects. The idea behind the journal was to give people unfettered access to our guided mindfulness program because self-care is vital and we want to support women on and off the trails.

The bottom line is this, women are amazing beings, but sometimes we don’t do the best job taking care of ourselves. We often put everyone and everything before us; kids, spouses, work, family and zillions of other responsibilities – but the reality is, in order to continue being the superwomen that we are, we have to care for ourselves both physically and mentally.

Moving forward, we hope to continue to grow our community and create a safe space for women everywhere. We encourage you join us in this journey of using mindful movement to practice self-care and to build a deeper connection with ourselves and the world around us. Namaste and happy trails!

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#WEHIKETOHEAL

We Hike to Heal, Inc is a 501c3 non-profit that provides an alternative pathway to healing for women

We Hike to Heal, Inc is a 501(c)3 nonprofit that was established by the founders of the Outdoor Journal Tour  in July of 2022.

Our mission is to build an inclusive community that normalizes self care, creates a sacred space for healing and adventure, and prioritizes the mental and emotional wellbeing of all women.

Because we believe that when women thrive, the world thrives.

Women are socialized to prioritize others over themselves. Taking time to care for oneself tends to be seen as selfish and frivolous. However, you cannot “pour from an empty cup” and self care is a necessity in our overall health and wellbeing!

Outdoor Journal Tour and We Hike to Heal, Inc creates space for women to prioritize themselves. Over the years, we have proven that outdoor adventures create physical challenges that have the ability to breakdown mental and emotional barriers; which creates connection and opportunities for deep healing.

We believe that equal access to outdoor spaces is important to the health of women, and more specifically BIPOC women. In our experience some of the greatest barriers BIPOC women face in accessing outdoor spaces are trust, safety and lack of diversity.

Our goal is to continue to create safe and equitable spaces outdoors for all women to enjoy.

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Episode 101: Hike, Journal, Meditate w/ Outdoor Journal Tour

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Episode 101 – Hike, Journal, Meditate

Interview with kenya and michelle jackson-saulters.

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This episode sponsored by NoteCast  & ThirdLove & EarlybirdCBD.com

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A little mindfulness goes a long way. Meet Kenya and Michelle Jackson-Saulters, co-founders of Outdoor Journal Tour and WE Hike to Heal.

We have a lot on our minds and we often put our own needs on the backburner. Kenya and Michelle believe that self-care can look like a walk in the woods and that the effect is multiplied by journaling and meditating. They’re on a mission to help women all over the world reclaim their bodies, minds, and communities through their special guided hikes and mindfulness lessons.

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Find the episode below, on Apple Podcasts , Spotify , Stitcher , or wherever you stream podcasts.

Featured in this episode:  Kenya Jackson-Saulters and Michelle Jackson-Saulters, co-founders of Outdoor Journal Tour

Hosted by Gale Straub

Music is by Jason Shaw, Lee Rosevere, and Kai Engel using CC by A license

In this episode, you’ll hear:

• How meditation can amplify the positive effects of your experiences in nature
• What ‘grounding’ is and why it’s important
• About the origin of  Outdoor Journal Tour  (ODJT)
• The positive benefits of hiking, journaling, and meditating
• About Michelle’s first solo hike in Georgia
• How ODJT cultivates a welcoming and non-intimidating environment on their group hikes
• Why ODJT gears their work towards women
• About the Journal of Mindful Movement
• Why Kenya included a ‘body apology’ in the journal
• How when we think about health, we should include mental as well as physical health
• About WE Hike to Heal and the March initiative culminating in group hikes around North America on March 30th
• Why embracing healing doesn’t mean there’s something wrong with us

Resources mentioned in this episode:

• Outdoor Journal Tour:  Website  &  Instagram
• WE Hike to Heal:  Website
• Sign up for a hike  March 30th
• Register to lead  a #WEhiketoheal hike!  Here’s the form
• Kenya Jackson-Saulters:  Website  &  Instagram
• Michelle Jackson-Saulters:  Instagram
• UN/ROOTED podcast:  Website  &  Instagram
• Mirna Valerio:  Instagram  &  SE Podcast Episode

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• Head to  notecast.app  and use the code ‘EXPLORES’ to get your first 60 days free
• ThirdLove : Head to ThirdLove.com/explore for 15% off your first purchase
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Kenya, Michelle, and Outdoor Journal Tour

Kenya Jackson-Saulters, L, and Michelle Jackson-Saulters, R: Co-founders of ODJT

WE Hike to Heal Group Photo! By Kristina Cooper

The “meditate” part of hike, journal, meditate. Photo by Kristina Cooper.

Kenya leading a discussion. Photo by Kristina Cooper.

Michelle and Kenya, looking cute.

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Hiking Is Healing: Behind the Outdoor Wellness Movement

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Women everywhere hike to heal. For this short film, Merrell teamed up with two women to share what it’s all about.

For some of us, spending time outside is a group activity. And for some, it’s a place to find solace. For many, it’s both. “We Hike to Heal” is all about channeling that connection with nature and each other.

In 2018, Kenya and Michelle Jackson-Saulters combined their shared interests (and differences) to create The Outdoor Journal Tour , and most notably, an event series called We Hike to Heal.

With We Hike to Heal, they strive to empower women through journaling, meditation, and spending time in the outdoors. Events are intimate by nature and focus on three essential ingredients — being outside, journaling, and meditating.

The event series combines one of the most common reasons for wanting to get outside (to find peace, whether inner or outward) with other mechanisms of healing. This, in turn, fosters a community among its participants.

More on The Outdoor Journal Tour

The program started organically. Kenya Jackson-Saulters was meditating on a mountain with some friends and noticed that some nearby strangers wanted to join.

Since then, Michelle and Kenya have hosted hundreds of groups of women together in the outdoors through their organization.

This past week, they hosted a special #wehiketohealweek honoring Black healing for women in their community and across the country. To check out future events, you can find The Outdoor Journal Tour here or on Instagram .

Produced by Merrell , Faith Briggs , and Whit Hassett, and with art by Latasha Dunston . 

Vimeo Feature Film Offers Candid Look at 'The People of Climbing'

'The People of Climbing' is a short film focused on the issue of racial inequality in the outdoors. And the perspectives it includes are some of the most important of our time. Read more…

Mary Murphy is the Managing Editor of GearJunkie. She has been writing about hiking, running, climbing, camping, skiing, and more for seven years, and has been on staff at GearJunkie since 2019. Prior to that, Mary wrote for 5280 Magazine in Denver while working as an outdoor instructor teaching climbing, kayaking, paddleboarding, and mountain biking. Based in Denver, Colorado, Murphy is an avid hiker, runner, backpacker, skier, yogi, and pack-paddleboarder. Mary also serves as the leader of AllGear Digital’s DEI Committee.

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Master Outdoor Wellness With Mindful Journaling And Meditation At OAX

• May 9, 2023

While many of the clinics and classes at Outdoor Adventure X are based on physical movement through nature, spending time in the outdoors doesn’t necessarily mean doing so in a state of motion. Sometimes, the most meaningful way to be engaged in nature is to do so through journaling and meditation.

Kenya and Michelle from the Outdoor Journal Tour seek to encourage people “all over the world to tap into the healing and empowering influences within ourselves, our communities and the Great Outdoors.” At OAX, they will join us to lead a mindful journaling workshop.  

Our Healing Nature: Mindful Journaling with The Outdoor Journal Tour   

Unlock the keys to your soul with this mindful journaling workshop. Inspired by the lessons of the natural world, this introspective journaling experience guides you through a series of thought-provoking writing prompts. The session will conclude with a short intention setting exercise and guided meditation. 

Q & A with Michelle and Kenya Jackson-Saulters / / Follow @outdoorjournaltour 

The Outdoor Journal Tour was founded by Kenya and Michelle Jackson-Saulters in 2015. The Outdoor Journal Tour, is a hybrid health organization that combines outdoor activity with introspective journaling, and mindful meditation. They also create and provide multipurpose tools, training, and resources for outdoor wellness experiences. Last year, they annexed their programming arm to form a standalone nonprofit, We Hike to Heal, Inc. based on the international outdoor wellness phenomenon of the same name. Headquartered in Atlanta, GA, they’ve hosted 300 events and seven annual #wehiketoheal campaigns for women. Their goal is to double their reach with their 15 Ambassadors in the next year. Kenya and Michelle also offer mindfulness consulting for outdoor industry leaders and their staff. Kenya is the author of best-selling outdoor activity companion, The Nature Meditations Deck. 

Q: How were you introduced to the outdoors?   

A: I was introduced to the outdoors in a pretty informal way. I grew up in Cleveland, Ohio-and for most of my childhood my mom didn’t have a car. Because of that, we walked everywhere. My most vivid memories are of us walking to and from my grandmother’s house after she got off work. We walked through all four seasons together for years, and those times are still among my most treasured memories of both her-and outdoor spaces. 

Q: What is your favorite way to enjoy nature?   

A: Music festivals and outdoor patios are a must for me in the warmer months. I also really love relaxing on the beach and short rock climbs. 

Q:   Do you have a go-to trail snack or camp meal?   

A: When I am on the trail, I absolutely have to have Cheezits and some sort of flavored hydration pack. What’s crazy is that I don’t eat Cheezits at any other time. For some reason the salty sweet is clutch when I am moving my body for an extended period of time. 

Q: If you had to pick one don’t-leave-home-without-it piece of kit, what would it be?   

A: This may be too obvious-but it’s going to my HydroFlask water bottle. Hydration is super important to me when I go out-and I like my water to be ice cold. I fill my water bottle with ice, my hydration blend and I am ready to go.   

Explore Additional Outdoor Clinics + Education At OAX

Outdoor Adventure X is a mountain gear festival for the outdoor adventurer June 17-18, 2023 at Snowbasin Resort in Huntsville, Utah. OAX hosts climbing, hiking and mountain bike clinics on-mountain at Snowbasin Village . Water and paddle sports workshops, clinics and demos will take place at Pineview Reservoir, a part of Lakeside Village at OAX.  Plus camping, hundreds of gear vendors, an adventure van showcase, product demos, workshops + clinics, a craft beer garden, food trucks, live music, and fireside chats with friends.

An OAX ticket or camping pass includes access to all demos, clinics, the Snowbasin gondola, and a full schedule of classroom-style education and roundtable discussions.

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Tour Details

Moscow metro tour: architectural styles of the subway.

Duration: 2 hours

Categories: Culture & History, Sightseeing

This metro tour of Russia’s capital and most populous city, Moscow, is your chance to get a unique insight into the beautiful and impressive architecture of the city's underground stations. Admire their marble walls and high ceilings representing Stalin's desire for glory after World War 2, and see first-hand how the interiors change with the rise of new political eras. Your guide will lead you through the complex network, which is one of the most heavily used rapid transit systems worldwide, with over two billion travelers in 2011.

Opened in 1935, Moscow’s underground system, now 190 miles (305 km) long with 185 stations, is today one the largest and most heavily used rapid transit systems in the world. On this Moscow metro tour, discover the impressive architecture of Moscow’s underground stations and learn how they reflect the Soviet era.

Getting around by metro, your local guide will take you through parts of Moscow’s infamous history. Stop at stations built during the time of the USSR (Soviet Union) that are praised as one of the most extravagant architectural projects from Stalin’s time. After World War 2, he was keen on establishing Stalinist architecture to represent his rising regime and a recognized empire. Learn how when his successor started the de-Stalinization of the former Soviet Union in 1953, the extravagancy of the architecture was toned down.

Discover how the unique character of each station reflected several different eras. While stations like Kievskaya and Slavyansky Bulvar have pompous halls and high stucco ceilings brimming with extravagant decorations, those built later, like Volzhskaya, are lightly adorned with sparse furnishings. Architect Alexey Dushkin and painter Alexander Deyneka were just two of the many artists who made these magnificent landmarks possible.

Revel in Moscow's glory days, as well as the years of scarcity, on this fascinating Moscow metro experience. Conclude your tour at one of the central stations in Moscow. If you're lucky, you may even find the secret entrance to the unconfirmed Metro-2, a parallel underground system used by the government -- a mystery which has neither been denied nor confirmed today.

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Culture Shock Rating

We have a wide range of tours designed to give you an insight into the destination you're travelling in and there is something for everybody. The culture shock ratings considers the destination visited, transport used, activities undertaken and that "Wow, I'm really not at home now!" factor. While generalisations are always tricky, a summary of our gradings is as follows…

This is the least confronting of our tour range. Transport used on the trip is either private or a very comfortable public option, the activities included are usually iconic sites and locations that are not all too confronting.

The tour can include a mix of private and public transport providing a level of comfort that is slightly below what you would experience at home. Sites visited are usually iconic sites, tours can also include market visits, visits to communities etc that provide the traveller with a fantastic insight into destination.

Expect to rough it for parts of this tour, whether it's a packed public bus where you are forced to stand, a visit to a local market, a local community, you are sure to have an experience that is very different from what you're used to at home.

The comforts of your home town and the environment you are used to are more of a rarity. Expect some challenging transport options, visits to local sites and areas that don't resemble anything at home.

You're out there in the global community! You are likely to be exposed to the elements, travel in whatever means of transport is available and basically take it as it comes, whatever comes! It can be tough.

Physical Rating

Our physical rating gives you an idea of how much huffing and puffing you can expect on the tour. While generalisations are always tricky, a summary of our gradings is as follows…

These tours have very limited physical activity. Usually climbing in and out of the transport provided, walking through sites, markets etc included in the itinerary.

These tours have a bit of physical activity but nothing that should challenge you too much. This could be climbing on and off public transport through to a walk through the destination you're travelling in, they can include walking only tours or a combination of walking and transport.

These tours involve a bit of physical activity from walking up and down hills in the destination you're travelling in or the surrounding areas. Climbing on and off local transport or riding a bike up to 30 kms along predominantly flat terrain or jumping in a kayak for a gentle paddle on flat water.

These Tours will provide you with some solid physical activity. Whether its bike riding, walking, trekking, kayaking or riding on public transport you will need to have a good level of fitness to enjoy this tour.

Be prepared for some serious physical activity. These tours are our most challenging and involve some serious walking, hiking or bike riding. Can involve step climbs by foot or pedal and some challenging public transport options in the destination you are travelling.

Luxury Rating

Some trips are like a stroll on the beach, while others have you trekking alpine passes. Some of you thrive on camping out on the savannah, while others may prefer a hot shower and a comfortable bed in a lodge. Follow the grading systems below to find the right trip for you.

To help you choose the trip that's right for you, we've broken all of our trips down into four service levels. Measuring the comfort level of the accommodation and transport. So whether you're travelling on a budget and want to save money by using public transport, or prefer upgraded accommodation and are happy to pay a little more, then we have a level for you.

This is grassroots travel at its most interesting

Authentic experiences with some of the comforts of home

For those who like to travel in comfort

All the unique experiences wrapped up with a gold ribbon

• Preplanned tours
• Daytrips out of Moscow
• Themed tours
• Customized tours
• St. Petersburg

Moscow Metro

The Moscow Metro Tour is included in most guided tours’ itineraries. Opened in 1935, under Stalin’s regime, the metro was not only meant to solve transport problems, but also was hailed as “a people’s palace”. Every station you will see during your Moscow metro tour looks like a palace room. There are bright paintings, mosaics, stained glass, bronze statues… Our Moscow metro tour includes the most impressive stations best architects and designers worked at - Ploshchad Revolutsii, Mayakovskaya, Komsomolskaya, Kievskaya, Novoslobodskaya and some others.

What is the kremlin in russia?

The guide will not only help you navigate the metro, but will also provide you with fascinating background tales for the images you see and a history of each station.

And there some stories to be told during the Moscow metro tour! The deepest station - Park Pobedy - is 84 metres under the ground with the world longest escalator of 140 meters. Parts of the so-called Metro-2, a secret strategic system of underground tunnels, was used for its construction.

During the Second World War the metro itself became a strategic asset: it was turned into the city's biggest bomb-shelter and one of the stations even became a library. 217 children were born here in 1941-1942! The metro is the most effective means of transport in the capital.

There are almost 200 stations 196 at the moment and trains run every 90 seconds! The guide of your Moscow metro tour can explain to you how to buy tickets and find your way if you plan to get around by yourself.