Kayaks and Canoes - Uła River Trip

Kayak Trip - Day 1.

0.0 km - We start our kayak trip on the Uła River in the village of Dubičai. After the bridge on the left bank of the river, there is a convenient place to launch kayaks and canoes. In the village, there is a shop where you can stock up on supplies. Initially, the Uła River flows through meadows, partly through a regulated channel with high banks.

2.9 km - We paddle under a bridge on a dirt road, and on the right, we pass the confluence of the Kaniavele River. The Uła River enters the buffer zone of the Dżukijski National Park and winds its way through meadows surrounded by forests.

10.3 km - Our kayak trip reaches the first bridge in the village of Krokšlys, and soon we pass another one; after the village, on the right bank, there is a convenient place for camping. The river becomes very picturesque, with high, wooded banks, and on the left, we pass the confluence of the Lynupis River.

17.1 km - We approach Uła Lake, where there is a designated campsite. We propose stopping here with kayaks and canoes and ending the first day of the trip.

Kayak Trip - Day 2.

20.0 km - Our kayaks and canoes reach the village of Rudnia, where there is a grocery store, and after agreeing with the owner, you can camp on a tree-covered meadow on the opposite bank of the river. We approach a bridge, behind which there is a weir - portage is necessary. After the village, the Uła River meanders through meadows between high, wooded banks, and the kayak trip takes place on a very picturesque section.

27.9 km - We paddle under a wooden bridge in the village of Kašetos. On the right bank, there is a beach. The valley narrows, and the Uła River flows between high, wooded banks. Sometimes, the kayak trip is hindered by fallen trees.

29.6 km - We approach the village of Pauosupe, where the Uosupis River flows in. On the right bank, there is a campsite, and in the village, there is also an agritourism farm. You can also visit the historic home of the Lithuanian writer A. Matutius.

32.6 km - We enter the Dżukijski National Park - on the right bank, an information board is visible. From this point on, it is necessary to have tickets for the Uła River kayak trip, and camping is only allowed in designated areas.

37.7 km - We approach a bridge in the village of Zervynos. The village is characterized by wooden buildings, and it's worth visiting the cemetery with wooden tombstones. After the village, on the right bank, there is a designated campsite. We propose leaving kayaks and canoes here and ending the second day of the trip.

Kayak Trip - Day 3.

37.6 km - We paddle under a railway bridge on the Vilnius-Grodno route, beware of the fast current; for the next 5 km, the Uła River has the character of a mountain river and is very picturesque, making the kayak trip very attractive. The nearest campsite is located on the left bank of the river, 1 km before the road bridge.

43.4 km - Our kayaks and canoes reach the village of Mančiagire, where the current slows down in some places but accelerates in others. We paddle under another bridge - a footbridge (with a sign saying Ulos akis). It's worth stopping here with kayaks or canoes and going up the steep stairs to the observation deck.

50.3 km - The kayak trip takes us under a bridge in the village of Žiurai. To do some shopping, you can take a 3 km trip to the beautiful Lake Lavysas, where there is a café and a shop.

52.0 km - We approach the village of Trakiškiai, where there is an agritourism farm and a large campsite. We propose stopping with kayaks and canoes and spending the night after the third day of the kayak trip.

Kayak Trip - Day 4.

55.8 km - Our kayaks and canoes pass by individual buildings of the village of Pauliai, located on the right bank of the river. The valley becomes narrow, and the banks are very high.

57.8 km - The kayak trip reaches the mouth of the Uła River to the Mereczanka River.

57.9 km - We approach a designated campsite located on the left bank of the river. Further on, the river has a variable current, and we encounter rapids. As we paddle, we pass by the buildings of Mardasayas.

65.0 km - We approach the mouth of the Gruda River, before which, on the right, there is a campsite. We pass by the village of Pulvočiai, located on the left bank. Beware of the wire stretched across the river! Below the village, there is another designated campsite, and below, on the left, there is the confluence of the Skrobulus River; further on, there are several campsites. We propose leaving kayaks and canoes on one of them and ending the fourth day of the trip.

Kayak Trip - Day 5.

77.0 km - The kayak trip route takes us under a road bridge on the A4 Druskienniki-Vilnius route, before which there is a designated campsite.

80.0 km - The Mereczanka River flows into the Niemen River near the town of Merkine, where there are shops, a church, and bars. It's worth stopping here, leaving kayaks and canoes, and taking a trip to the town. On the right bank, there is a castle hill - an excellent viewpoint. If we have allocated less time for the kayak trip, we can end it here; if not, we continue our journey down the Niemen River.

80.2 km - We paddle under a road bridge, behind which there is a river widening with several islands. On the left bank, there is a campsite where we can, for example, end the fifth day of the kayak trip.

Kayak Trip - Day 6.

88.0 km - Our kayaks and canoes reach a campsite located on the left bank of the river, just behind which, on the right, there is the confluence of the Apsinge River. On the kayak trip route, we pass by other campsites and a beautiful beach. 2 km further on, there is another confluence, the Netiesca River, near which there are two campsites on the right bank, and a bit further on, there are more.

97.3 km - We approach an island on the Niemen River, behind which, after about 3 km, near the border of the Dżukijski National Park, there is another campsite. We can stop here with kayaks and canoes and spend the night after the sixth day of the kayak trip. The river widens, the current is variable, and we encounter shallows and sandy bars. It's worth paying attention to the picturesque cliff on the right bank.

Kayak Trip - Day 7.

106 km - Our kayaks and canoes pass by a boulder, Klebono uola, located in the riverbed, and on the left bank, there is a nature reserve.

110.9 km - We approach the village of Nemunaitis, where we plan to end the kayak trip. On the right, there is a shop, a church, and a bar. We take out our kayaks or canoes on the left bank. There is a hotel here, with a restaurant, but unfortunately, with quite high prices. After obtaining permission, you can camp near the hotel. If you feel like it, you can continue the kayak trip and end it in the town of Alytus, located 20 km further on.