The only place where you can get a true impression of the scope of Moscow. If you've read Tolstoy's War and Peace (well done), this is where the scenes are set as the Russian army retreats from Napoleon's doomed advance.
Now it's a setting for the Moscow State University and has splendid views on a fine day. You really can see it all from here - especially the married couples having their photo taken with the panorama behind.
Sparrow Hills is known as Vorabyovi Gori in Russian. Nearest metros: Universitet or Vorabyovi Gori
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A small chairlift takes you from the river to the top of Sparrrow Hills. In season you can ski there. Check out the Nordic jumping ramp - it is a 70 or 90 meter one. The vertical drop of the chairlift is probably 100 meters. It's easy to get to Sparrrow Hills by steam boat on the river in Moscow. Start at the river station near Kievskaya train station. Proceed to the Sparrow Hills river station and relax there for a while. Then continue on the river boat trip past Park Kulturi, Christ the Savior Cathedral, the Kremilin and the Hotel Ukrainskaya. Highly recommended outing in good weather. Unfortunately, you may find quite a lot of litter in Sparrow Hills, which detracts from the experience.
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