Kayaking

Augustów is an ideal place for kayaking. Kayak trails in the Augustów Forest are very picturesque and not very difficult. They are great for taking a trip with children. Equipment rentals and tour operators in Augustów offer one- or several-days trips with equipment, transportation and various attractions.

Map of the kayak trails available in the gallery.

The Czarna Hańcza River and the Augustów Canal kayak trail

Length: 98 km along the route of the Augustów Canal

Start: Bryzgiel, Wigry Lake, Finish: Augustów, Necko Lake

Duration: 5-6 days

One of the most popular kayak trails in Poland, offering unique contact with the unspoiled nature of the Augustów Forest and a remarkable experience of going through the locks on the 19^th century Augustów Canal. The Czarna Hańcza River is quite wide, with a mild current. The water trail is easy and enjoyable, accessible to beginners and those kayaking with children.

The cost of going through a lock: about 4.30 PLN/ kayak, the lockage price is double from 19.00 till 20.00. Students - 50% discount.

Opening hours during the season:

• from 9.00 till 17.00, everyday, locks Augustów, Przewięź, Swoboda, Gorczyca;
• from 9.00 till 17.00, Wednesday - Sunday, locks Paniewo, Perkuć, Mikaszówka, Sosnówek;
• from 9.00 till 17.00, Monday - Friday, locks Dębowo, Sosnowo, Borki, Białobrzegi, Tartak, Kudrynki;
• lock Kurzyniec - closed;
• other days, lockage are possible only after an earlier two-day telephone or email notification, tel. 87 643 28 07, e-mail: zz-augustow@wody.gov.pl

Classic trail along the Czarna Hańcza was marked up in 1926. It runs from Augustów – Swoboda - Serwy Lake - Wigry Lake - Gawrych Ruda – Stary Folwark - Maćkowa Ruda [Buda Ruska] – Wysoki Most - Frącki – Jałowy Róg [Łoski] - [Jazy] Płaska - Swoboda - Augustów. The length of the trail in maximum version is approx. 145 km. Karol Wojtyła used to paddle through this trail, so it can be called a Papal trail.

The Rospuda River kayak trail

Length: 73 km

Start: Supienie, Rospuda (Filipowska) Lake, Finish: Augustów, Necko Lake

Duration: 4 days.

The route is designed for adventure loving kayakers. At times, the Rospuda River seems to be like a mountain river – thanks to its high and forested banks and the rocky bottom. In its lower course, the river has a typical lowland character of marshy banks overgrown with reeds and rushes. On the trail, kayakers may encounter some difficulties, such as: a rocky, shallow bottom, strong river current or fallen tree trunks. In Bakałarzewo and Małe Raczki kayaks have to be carried.

The Netta River kayak trail

Length: 38 km

Start: Augustów, the Netta River, Finish: Dębowo lock

Duration: 2 days.

The Netta River is a picturesque, and rarely frequented lowland river meandering through meadows and reeds and rather undiscovered sites. It can be an extension of two other trails in the region, in the direction of the Biebrza River – the Rospuda River and the Czarna Hańcza River.

The Biebrza River kayak trail

Length: 135 km

Start: Lipsk, Finish: Ruś, at the mouth of the Narew River

Duration: 7 days

The Biebrza River kayak trail is a relatively easy and relaxing route, ideal for enthusiasts of peace and quiet, nature and birds. It is a typical lowland river, with numerous bends and old river beds. On the route you will come through the largest complex of marshes and peat bogs of the Central Europe. The river lies within the Biebrza National Park, so appropriate permission is required to hold a trip and an admission fee to the park needs to be paid. Camping is allowed only in designated areas.

Kayak trail by the lake Sajno and Bystry Canal

Start: Bystry Canal, Finish: Augustów

Duration: 1 day

The trail begins at the Bystry Canal, which flows into Sajno lake, and later by Sajenek lake, than Sajenek pond, back to Sajno lake and the Sajownic river. Kayaks have to be carried through the embankment of the Augustów Canal. Return through the Augustów lock.