Tiraspol – Merenesti – Bendery
Clip in and roll out on one of the most beloved cycling routes in Pridnestrovie — the Tiraspol – Merenesti – Bendery Cycling Route — a 30 km ride along 100% asphalt roads connecting the two largest cities of the republic through parks, forests, embankments and one of the most dramatic war memorials in the region. Whether you are a seasoned cyclist or a complete beginner, this route delivers an unforgettable combination of natural beauty, historic landmarks and riverside freedom.
The route can be started from either end — Tiraspol or Bendery — making it equally rewarding in both directions.
🚴 Bicycle rental in Tiraspol: @velotiras | @elpro.prokat 🚴 Bicycle rental in Bendery: @velomax_bendery | @elpro.prokat
⚠️ Important: Crossing the bridge in Tiraspol on a bicycle is only permitted on foot — please dismount before reaching it. Cyclists are also reminded to follow Chapter 24 of the PMR Traffic Rules governing the movement of cyclists on public roads.
The ride begins at Suvorov Square (Pokrovskaya Str., center, Tiraspol) — the symbolic heart of the Pridnestrovian capital, named after the legendary Russian generalissimo who founded Tiraspol itself. It is the perfect starting point: standing here before setting off, the city feels alive with history and possibility in equal measure.
Just 480 meters along, Catherine Park (Pokrovskaya Str., center, Tiraspol) invites a gentle opening warm-up through one of the capital’s most beloved green spaces — named after Empress Catherine the Great and shaded by mature trees that have watched over Tiraspol for generations. A wonderful place to ease into the rhythm of the ride before the open road ahead.
After 750 meters, the route reaches the Embankment of the Dniester in Tiraspol — one of the most scenic stretches of the entire journey. The wide, smooth riverside promenade offers sweeping views across the water, the breeze off the Dniester carrying the freshness of a river that has shaped this landscape for millennia. Take your time here — the embankment is as enjoyable at walking pace as at full cycling speed.
After 3.9 km, the urban landscape gives way to the cool shade of the Kitskansky Forest (Slobodzeya district) — a beautiful stretch of natural woodland that offers the perfect setting for a mid-route picnic. Pull off the path, find a clearing among the trees and let the forest work its restorative magic before the second half of the ride.
Continuing 6 km, the route arrives at the legendary Kitskany Bridgehead (Kitskany village, Slobodzeya district) — one of the most powerful and historically resonant stops on the entire route. The views from the bridgehead across the Dniester valley are genuinely stunning, and the weight of the military history attached to this site gives the pause here a depth that goes far beyond scenic appreciation.
After 13 km, the route rolls into Bender and onto the Bendery Embankment — a riverside promenade that mirrors Tiraspol’s embankment in beauty while adding the distinctive atmosphere of this ancient fortress city. The views across the Dniester toward the opposite bank, with the fortress walls visible in the distance, are among the finest on the entire route.
Just 1.5 km further, Alexander Nevsky Park (Petra Panina Str., Bendery) brings the outbound journey to a magnificent conclusion — a park set on the territory of the historic Bendery Fortress, home to the functioning military temple of St. Alexander Nevsky and exhibition halls that bring the fortress’s extraordinary history to life. A worthy destination at the end of a great ride.
For those completing the full out-and-back loop, the return 11 km ride back to Suvorov Square in Tiraspol retraces the route in reverse — offering entirely new perspectives on the forest, the bridgehead and the river that make this one of the most rerideable routes in the republic.