Kayaks and canoes - a trip on the Biebrza

Kayak trips on the Biebrza lead through a wide, open river valley. The clean water allows you to observe interesting aquatic plants and animals. The route is not troublesome, there are no obstacles and portages on the river. Biebrza is a river with a very slow current, almost imperceptible in its upper course. A permit is required for a kayak trip, which can be purchased at the Municipal and Community Culture Center in Lipsk, at ul. Rynek 23 or, during the holiday season, at the marina in Lipsk. This marina, also belonging to M-GOK, is also the most convenient place to launch kayaks and start a kayak trip. There are tables and a shelter, as well as a place to pitch a tent for people arriving before the trip. Camping and making fires on the Biebrza kayak trail are only allowed in designated areas. Click on the map and get to know this extraordinary trail.

Kayaks and canoes on the Biebrza - day one.

0.0 km - the beginning of the kayak trip. From the marina, after launching the kayaks, we sail through a narrow canal to the Biebrza.

0.3 km - we enter the Biebrza with kayaks near the road bridge on the Dąbrowa Białostocka - Lipsk route and turn the kayaks to the right. Initially, the river is overgrown with aquatic vegetation. The channel is partially overgrown with clumps of reed vegetation. The banks are inaccessible, wet, with forests of alder trees growing on both sides at a very short distance. This section of the kayak trip is exceptionally deserted and inaccessible.

7.0 km - we pass the visible in the distance on the left bank the village of Szuszalewo. In the vicinity of the village, near the river, you can see a few boats "pychówki". Further, the Biebrza changes its character a bit, creating a system of slightly larger and wider floodplains connected by narrow isthmuses. The banks begin to be overgrown with tall reeds, creating a tunnel effect in some places, where kayaks can barely fit.

11.1 km - we pass a overgrown canal on the right, which is the mouth of the drainage system.

12.5 km - on the left side, the mouth of the Kamienna river.

13.4 km - we sail past the marina of "pychówki" boats, seeing used meadows. The valley is sometimes more open, with better visibility. Further, the Biebrza widens a bit, but the banks are still overgrown with tall reeds, making it impossible to observe from a kayak.

17.9 km - we sail under the road bridge on the Kamienna Nowa - Jastrzębna road, and about 30 meters further under the railway bridge on the Dąbrowa Białostocka - Augustów route.

18.1 km - we reach an open meadow on the left bank. A convenient, sandy exit to the bank, a good place for swimming and pulling kayaks ashore. This is the weakest point on the entire Biebrza kayak trail, but the only one in this area to finish the first day of the kayak trip.

Kayaks and canoes on the Biebrza - day two.

21.9 km - we pass the mouth of the Lebiedzianka river on the right, which at this point is just as wide as the Biebrza, so in case of any doubts, you should follow the left side. Further, we pass the bifurcations on the right, which are the mouths of drainage systems and fragments of oxbow lakes.

26.2 km - we reach a meadow on the left bank with a birch forest at its edge. A good place for a stop or pitching a tent. On the meadow, you can see a flag stuck on a mast, with which the owner of the meadow encourages kayakers to stop. The Biebrza channel is quite wide, but overgrown with aquatic vegetation.

27.9 km - the bifurcation of the Biebrza, we choose the right channel, and a few dozen meters further we turn left.

34.2 km - a road bridge on the Białystok - Augustów route near Sztabin.

34.9 km - a private campsite on the left bank. On the site, you can spend the night in shelters. After telephone contact (information on the site), it is possible to buy permits for a kayak trip on the Biebrza. A very good place to finish the second day of the kayak trip and remove the kayaks from the water.

Kayaks and canoes on the Biebrza - day three.

36.4 km - a campsite at ul. Rybacka in Sztabin. A place for a bonfire, benches, an information board of the Biebrza National Park. There is also the possibility of going to a shop located about 500 meters away. There is also a post office and a pharmacy. On the way to the shop, about 200 meters from the river, there is a hydrant and the possibility of replenishing drinking water. The campsite is public, with very easy access, so the place may not be the best for an overnight stay after finishing the second day of the kayak trip. We definitely recommend the previous private site. Below Sztabin, the Biebrza meanders heavily, the channel narrows significantly, and the current becomes quite fast.

39.8 km - the bifurcation of the Biebrza, we should direct the kayaks to the wider and more distinct left branch. The river slows down and becomes wider.

42.9 km - we sail along the left bank, which is easily accessible and has used meadows. On the right side, at a significant distance from the river, we pass the small village of Czarny Las. Further, we pass stone embankments that used to facilitate crossing the river.

45.9 km - a very good place to rest and swim with a directly adjacent forest and a convenient exit from the kayaks to a hard, mineral bank on a river bend. Then we sail past mowed meadows on the right bank; at a distance of about 80 meters from the Biebrza bank, a small forest is visible on a small hill.

51.7 km - we sail along a very picturesque, wooden building of the village of Jagłowo. The village, located on a very gentle left bank of the river, is exceptionally long. The Biebrza at Jagłowo is stony and very shallow, with numerous shallows and clumps of reed vegetation, so you need to be careful with kayaks and canoes not to damage the equipment.

53.4 km - a road bridge behind Jagłowo.

58.4 km - a private campsite on the right bank, located near the first mouth of the Augustów Canal near the village of Dębowo. On the site, there are benches and shelters, as well as plenty of space for pitching tents. When getting out of the kayak, you need to be careful about the numerous stones near the bank. Near the site, a renovated historic sluice gate ending the Augustów Canal. This is where we finish the third day of the kayak trip. A good place for swimming, but troublesome for removing kayaks or canoes due to a fairly steep bank.

Kayaks and canoes on the Biebrza - day four.

59.0 km - the actual mouth of the Augustów Canal on the right side. The Biebrza is already significantly wider, and the current is stronger.

60.2 km - we pass a convenient place for a short stop and swimming on the left bank, located opposite the village of Jasionowo. In the distance, a birch forest is visible. Around, there are open meadows and good visibility of the valley. On the right bank, a gravel road runs very close to the river, connecting Jasionowo with Dolistowo.

62.2 km - we pass the visible on the left side the mouth of the Brzozówka river. The Biebrza is wide and not very winding.

62.4 km - a wide mouth of the Row Wogzalski on the left.

66.1 km - a road bridge on the Biebrza near the village of Dolistowo on the road that previously ran along the right bank of the river for a long time.

66.7 km - a campsite of the Biebrza National Park in Dolistowo, located on the left bank of the river. On the site, there are shelters with benches, a place for a bonfire, and prepared wood. In close proximity, there is a small bar, and a bit further away, there are shops.

71.6 km - the bifurcation of the Biebrza near the village of Wroceń, where there is a shop. To get to the village, you need to turn left at this bifurcation.

71.8 km - another bifurcation - the left branch flows away, which can be used to get very close to the village. However, we sail to the right and after 400 meters, we reach a small campsite where we can stop for a rest. We can also go to the village for shopping. Near Wroceń, the Biebrza flows through narrow arms surrounding small islands.

76.1 km - kayakers pass the visible on the right side the mouth of the Ełk river. Opposite, the estates of the colony of the village of Krzecze are visible. The Biebrza becomes wide and relatively not very winding, and from time to time, we pass oxbow lakes on both sides of the current.

79.4 km - sailing along the village of Dawidowizna, we reach a very nicely located private campsite on the left bank with benches and a place for a bonfire. Near this village, there are several places convenient for stopping and finishing the fourth day of the kayak trip. We can also sail 5 km further and finish this day in Goniądzu, but due to the proximity of the city and the road, this place may be a bit noisy.

Kayaks and canoes on the Biebrza - day five.

80.4 km - we pass the visible on the right side a long oxbow lake called Zatoka Tur, connected to Zatoka Szumowo by the Row Maciesze.

81.9 km - the bifurcation of the Biebrza near Goniądzu. To get to the city by kayak, you need to follow the left branches at the next bifurcations, shortening the route at the same time. Further, we sail past a large, reed-covered Karczma Bartla, in the distance, the complex of pensions Kamil and Bartek is visible.

84.2 km - a road bridge in Goniądzu. On the left side, behind the bridge, there is a large campsite. A gentle exit to the bank. Near, there is a bar, shops, and all signs of civilization. We can finish the fourth day of the kayak trip here. If, however, you prefer a rest in a secluded place, you should seriously consider finishing the fourth day near the previously passed village of Dawidowizna.

86.5 km - we reach the village of Szafranki, located on the left bank.

91.8 km - sailing along Osowiec, we reach a road bridge. Behind the bridge, on the left side, a mouth of the canal is visible, into which we direct the kayaks or canoes to get to the campsite at the headquarters of the Biebrza National Park. This is one of the best-prepared and maintained sites, and at the same time, a convenient starting point for sightseeing, for example, defensive forts. In the vicinity of the bridge and below, the Biebrza is already very wide.

Kayaks and canoes on the Biebrza - day six.

92.4 km - a road bridge on the Białystok - Ełk route, a bit lower a double railway bridge.

94.0 km - kayakers pass the mouth of the Rudzki Canal on the right. Below the outlet, the Biebrza accelerates significantly. The vegetation also changes. The banks are overgrown with willow thickets.

95.5 km - a very convenient place for a rest and swimming with a sandy exit on a sharp bend of the river to the right. From the water, you can see the remains of an old bridge. Further, the Biebrza flows through a deserted valley, heavily meandering. We often encounter oxbow lakes on both sides of the current.

106.0 km - an oxbow lake on the right, into which we need to sail to get to the campsite on Białym Grądzie, where we will finish the fifth day of the kayak trip. Before this entrance, still visible from the river, is a watchtower standing on this site, so there is no fear of missing this only campsite in the area. To do shopping, we need to go on foot to the village of Mścichy, located 3.5 km from the site. Further, for many kilometers, the kayaks will sail in the middle of a deserted valley. We will often encounter beaver lodges distributed on both banks of the river.

Warning! From January 1 to June 23, on the Osowiec-Brzostowo kayak section, an additional permit from the Park Director is required due to the restriction on the number of kayak trips during the bird breeding season. During this period, camping is prohibited on the Biały Grąd campsite.

Kayaks and canoes on the Biebrza - day seven.

121.7 km - the mouth of the Wissa river on the right side.

129.5 km - we sail to the village of Brzostowo, located on the right, gentle bank. If we are sailing before June 23, we will finish the sixth day of the kayak trip here, on one of the three campsites. A bit earlier, we see a watchtower. The Biebrza is shallow and exceptionally wide here. Near the village, there are several campsites, of which the one located near the dirt road leading from the village to the river seems to be the best.

135.8 km - a convenient place to stop kayaks, swim, and rest on the right bank of the river near Burzyn. The village is located on the right side on a hill. We can get out and do some shopping at a shop near the church. There is also a post office here.

136.1 km - an exit to a campsite visible on the slope below Burzyn, with a shelter. A great view from this site of the valley and Bagno Ławki. Directing the kayaks further, we pass the village of Rutkowskie.

138.8 km - we pass the first of the ferries on a rope, used mainly for transporting cattle to the other side of the river.

140.2 km - a bifurcation of the channel. Sailing straight, we cut through a 10-meter section of a large meander, thus shortening the route. Sailing further, we see more ferries and a very nice, hilly landscape on the right bank. The kayaks and canoes pass the villages of Sieburczyn, Wierciszewo, and Sambory, located close to each other.

142.5 km - the mouth of the Biebrza to the Narew. The river is already very wide, on the right side, a hillock partially overgrown with a forest is visible - it is a remnant of a medieval stronghold. Further, among the trees, there are buildings of the nicely located village of Ruś.

145.9 km - a large road bridge on the Białystok - Łomża route near the village of Ruś. We finish the kayak trip on the Biebrza under the bridge on the right side. The place is stony, and you need to be careful when pulling kayaks or canoes out of the water. At a distance of about 150 meters from the river, there is a bar, and about 1 km further away, there is a bus stop in the village of Wizna. For people using PKS transport, we recommend sailing to the village of Wizna, which is 2 km away.