Podlasie - attractive tourist offers 

The Augustów Canal

It was built in 1823 - 1839 by Polish engineer, general I. Prądzyński. The Canal joins river-basins of Wisła and Niemen rivers. It is 108 km long, 80 km are situated in Poland. Level of water and shipping are regulated by 18 canal locks. Joining the biggest lakes in this area, the Augustów Canal becomes an attractive water track, used for canoeing tourism. The White Fleet cruises, organised by Augustów Sailing, are very popular as well. Pope John Poul II was sailing on one of these ships during his last pilgrimage to Poland. The Augustów Canal is ‘O’ class monument and it pretends for UNESCO World’s Culture Heritage list.
Contact:
Augustów Sailing
Augustów, 7 The 29th of November Street
Telephone: (087) 643-28-81, 643-21-52
www.wigry.home.pl/zeglugaaugustowska
Augustan sailing begins on the 26th of April and ends on the 30th of September.

PODLASIE STORKS’ TRACK (bicycle, 200 km,  red)

Track: Białowieża - Narewka - Narew - Wojszki - Zawyki - Suraż - Turośń Dln. - Baciuty - Bokiny - Tykocin - Pentowo - Łaziuki - Zajki - Laskowiec - Gugny - Osowiec Twierdza - Goniądz
The first brand-name tourist product in Podlaskie Voivodeship joins three national parks: Biebrza, Narew and Białowieża. Because of a clean environment and fine food conditions, most of storks from all over Europe live in river valleys. It is often possible to see a stork walking along agricultural machines – haymaking or harvest is the best time for birds to find food.
Apart from the bicycle track (which can be passed also by car), a water track is assigned as well. It includes the Narew river and the stork’s track for horse-riding.

Along the Narew river flood waters
 
We offer one of water tracks on the Narew river flood waters (50 km). It begins in Suraż, then Uhowo, Bokiny, Topilec, Izbiszcze, Waniewo and Rzędziany at the end. During 2-3 days of canoeing trip you can see the whole Narew National Park. It is possible to stay overnight in Bokiny, Topilec or Kurowo (a seat of the park management). We advise to use guides when navigating through the Narew river flood waters. One can easily lost among many branches and old-river arms.
Apart from beautiful nature, Park and Palace Complex in Kurowo is worth seeing as well. You can stay overnight here, visit natural exposition or see an unforgettable sight of the Narew river from a palace tower or from a scenic tower. Flowing further, you can see a ‘Koziołek’ defensive redoubt from times of the Swedish deluge.
There are walking, bicycle and ski tours in the Narew National Park. The Narew river and its surrounding swamps is one of the most unique in whole Europe. Apart from the incredible nature, you can see many historical places and valuable monuments, e.g. a synagogue in Tykocin, Branicki Palace in Choroszcz or ruins of Zygmunt August castle in Tykocin.

Along the Wigry National Park

We begin our visit in the Wigry National Park in Krzywe near Suwałki – a seat of the park management. We have to buy a ticket to the park there. We can also receive informative materials and use guide’s services as well.
We can visit the park on foot (through marked tracks) and also by whether canoe or boat. A ‘Suchary’ path, leading among small lakes in the forest, is particularly interesting. Here we can see beaver lodges, felled trees or – if we are lucky – even beavers themselves.
The Wigry Lake is especially beautiful. Camaldolese’ former priory is located on Wigry peninsula. The 18th century baroque complex attracts tourists from all over Poland and from abroad. Pope John Poul II rested here during his pilgrimage in 1999.