Sokołda - a beautiful tributary of Supraśl

On the river, there are several water dams, including one permanent one at the inactive water mill in Międzyrzecz. Kayak portages may also be necessary at periodic water dams in Straży, Sokołda, Łaźniach, and Surażkowie. The upper section of Sokołda is relatively narrow and during the peak of the growing season is quite overgrown with aquatic vegetation. Along the way, it is worth getting out of the kayaks in the village of Kopna Góra, where there is an Arboretum. It has the character of a forest park, where about 500 species and varieties of trees and shrubs have been collected. This is also a historical place. The meadows over Sokołda are the site of a battle from the January Uprising. The monumental oaks growing in the Arboretum are the site of the execution of insurgents. The Sokołda kayak trail is quite short and makes a great addition and extension of the Supraśl trip.

0.0 km - the best place to start the trip is near the village of Straż. About 200 meters below the road bridge on the Białystok - Kuźnica Białostocka route, there is a dam, behind which we put our kayaks and canoes into the water. The river, initially flowing through open meadows, has a very variable width of 4-8 meters and a depth of about 1.5 meters.

2.7 km - we pass by a small pier near the village of Ostrówek, located on the left bank. Convenient exit to the shore.

3.0 km - kayaks pass under a fairly low, wooden bridge on the road to the village of Ostrówek. The river's width is still very variable and ranges from 3 to 8 meters, although narrower sections with a rapid current are more common, and the banks are overgrown with reeds. Sokołda still flows through meadows, and forests are about 100-200 meters away from the bank, which is difficult to access.

5.5 km - we approach a great place for a campfire and a stop, located on the high right bank. It's worth getting out of the kayaks to stop here, for example, for a bath or a meal. Directly by the shore, there are high oaks. This is probably the most beautiful camping spot on Sokołda. Further, the river becomes more varied, wider, and deeper, without dense aquatic vegetation. Open meadows give way to forests. The banks are rather inaccessible, and the current is faster.

7.9 km - we approach a periodic dam on Sokołda near the village of Dworzysk, located on the left bank. Depending on the water level, a portage may not be necessary. If needed, it's better to carry the kayaks along the right bank. The river below the dam is clearly wider and less overgrown. It's much easier to paddle.

8.0 km - the kayak route passes under a bridge on a dirt road between Dworzysk and Czarna Białostocka. The right bank between the dam and the bridge is convenient for getting out of the kayaks and possibly camping.

8.9 km - a great place for a camp on the left bank near an old, sprawling oak. The bank is high, but fairly gentle, so there's no problem getting out of the kayaks. Firewood is easily accessible, as the place is surrounded by a forest.

9.6 km - the kayak route passes through another periodic dam located almost in the middle of the forest. It's visible that this dam doesn't work at all, regardless of the water level, so a portage is not necessary. There are mainly wet alder forests with trees growing directly over the water. The banks are easily accessible, with a lot of firewood. Then Sokołda turns left, moving away from the forest wall. The familiar narrowings reappear. The landscape is very varied, and the river's depth is not less than 1.5 meters.

11.0 km - we pass under a wooden, solid bridge, which compared to the almost invisible, narrow, and very rarely used road, seems to be built "to excess". The bridge is relatively low, so at high water levels, passing under it may be impossible. The landscape changes to a more open one with fallow meadows on both sides. The river frequently changes its width and creates a lot of backwaters and bays suitable for fishing. Approaching the village of Międzyrzecz, the kayak route passes through a very picturesque, wide section of Sokołda, which on the right bank is surrounded by a forest growing directly over the water.

14.7 km - a wooden footbridge near the village. Depending on the water level, passing under it with kayaks may be problematic.

14.8 km - a dam on the inactive water mill. From a distance of about 100 meters, you can hear the sound of rushing water. A necessary, about 15-meter, fairly easy portage of kayaks, which is best done along the right bank, about 20 meters before the dam. This is also a convenient place to rest. Below the dam, Sokołda creates a large backwater, which is a good place for a bath. About 50 meters below the dam, there is a high wooden footbridge, under which we easily pass. Below, the river clearly narrows.

15.9 km - we approach a wooden fence reaching the water on the left bank. This is the fence of the Arboretum in Kopna Góra. You can see dense thickets made up of many species of trees and shrubs. We paddle for quite a long time along this fence. It's best to stop the kayaks to visit this place near the road bridge, about 900 meters away.

16.0 km - an old bridge on the inactive railway line.

16.8 km - a road bridge on the Białystok - Krynki route. On the right, you can see the buildings of the village of Podsokołda.

17.1 km - a periodic water dam. The need to carry the kayaks depends on the water level. Below the dam, Sokołda narrows significantly, in some places even to about 2 meters, and the current weakens. The banks are densely overgrown with vegetation.

19.4 km - we pass by a nice wooden pier near the village of Podłaźnie, located on the left bank.

21.5 km - another periodic dam on the kayak route near the village of Łaźnie, located on the left bank. The need to carry the kayaks depends on the water level.

21.9 km - a road bridge behind Łaźnie on a side road leading to Supraśl. Sokołda widens to about 15 meters. There are no longer as many narrowings as before. We approach the village of Surażkowo - a small village located on the right bank.

23.8 km - the kayak route passes under a wooden, high footbridge connecting recreational plots with the village.

24.2 km - a dam on Sokołda behind Surażkowo. Carrying kayaks and canoes - along the left bank, about 3 meters, is rather necessary. 100 meters behind the dam, there is a gentle, sandy exit and a convenient place for a camp. Sokołda further has more accessible banks and abounds in interesting camping spots.

24.7 km - a pine forest growing directly over the water on the left bank. A great place to finish the first day of the kayak trip - opposite the agritourism farm located in the distance on the right bank. Further, the river narrows slightly.

25.7 km - we approach the mouth of Sokołda to Supraśl. We propose continuing the kayak trip down the Supraśl river.