Grodno District: Lakes, Nature Trails and the Augustow Canal

Grodno District can be explored through its natural areas and the Augustow Canal: the Ozyory State Landscape Reserve, large lakes and trails of various kinds each offer something different. When planning your trip, it is worth distinguishing between the waterscapes, plant life, narrow-gauge railway route and the canal’s historic locks. This way, you can choose the focus that interests you most.

Landscape and plant life

The Ozyory State Landscape Reserve is one of the district’s natural attractions. White Lake is one of the district’s largest lakes and covers 557 hectares. Ozyory is also home to a 259-hectare area where rare and endangered plant species grow. The district therefore offers both an expansive lake and an area known for its rare flora. The distinction is clear: White Lake is notable for its size, while the area in Ozyory is distinguished by the plant species growing there.

Routes in different formats

The Ozyory State Landscape Reserve has six tourist routes and an ecological trail. Route No. 1 is a ten-kilometre water-based ecotourism route. In Porechye, a five-to-seven-kilometre walking route is intended for visitors to the sanatorium. Another route in the district is 30 kilometres long, combines bus and walking sections, and is themed “Augustow Canal – Pearl of the Neman Region.” The options therefore differ both in length and format: a water route, a walking route, or a combination of bus travel and walking. These details can help you factor the type of excursion into your planning, as well as its length.

The Zapovedny Path

The “Zapovedny Path” ecological trail is a ten-kilometre tourist route by narrow-gauge railway through a protected area. In September 2024, the trip took approximately 2.5 to 3 hours. That month, the route offered views of ancient marshes, rare plants, forests and meadows; the bridge at the start of the route was considered the country’s second-longest engineering structure and the only structure of its kind to span a lake. Although its ten-kilometre length matches that of the water route in Ozyory, the two routes differ significantly in format.

The Augustow Canal and its locks

The Augustow Canal is used for water tourism and is also the subject of a 30-kilometre bus-and-walking route in the district. Its Belarusian section lies in present-day Hrodna District; construction of the canal was completed in 1839. The locks bring the history of its construction to life at specific locations: Vaukushak was built in 1829 at kilometre 85 of the canal. The Dambruwka Lock also dates to 1829 and retains its original form, including the foundation of a swing bridge. The Nemnava Lock, built in 1829, is located at kilometre 101 and has three chambers. All three locks mentioned were therefore built ten years before construction of the canal was completed.

Crafts, cuisine and local products

Tourism activities presented for Grodno District include workshops on painting pisanki and straw weaving. Tastings of national cuisine were also presented as a tourist activity at the Euroregion Neman exhibition. Porechye is associated with honey products from Myadovy Shlyakh. If you are interested in these products, check their availability and the provider’s current status before visiting.

Practical information

A tourist information centre opened in Sopotskin in 2012. Check whether it is currently operating before your trip. There is an airport in Obukhovo in Grodno District; it is also advisable to check in advance which services are currently available there.

More destinations

Discover more destinations: Novaja Ruda, Lida District, Ashmiany District, Masty District, Navahrudak District, Karelichy District.

Back to the main travel overview: Grodno Region.