About 130 km from Poza Zgiełkiem, on the border of Poland and Belarus, stretches one of the wonders of Polish engineering – the Augustów Canal of 1839. One hundred and one kilometres of waterway connect the Biebrza river with the Neman, cutting through the Augustów Primeval Forest via 7 lakes and 18 locks. It is a paradise for kayakers, anglers and wildlife enthusiasts, inscribed on the Historic Monuments list and a candidate for UNESCO World Heritage status.
History – canal built to bypass Prussia
The Augustów Canal was built in 1823–1839 on behalf of the Kingdom of Poland, which wanted to bypass Prussian customs and create an alternative export route for goods through Lithuania to Baltic ports. Construction was overseen by General Ignacy Prądzyński – a hydraulic masterpiece with 18 locks and 22 sluices. The canal was described as a "technological marvel of its era". When railways came to dominate transport, the canal lost commercial importance, but survived as a first-class engineering heritage site.
Kayaking through the Augustów Primeval Forest
The Augustów Canal is one of the most beautiful kayak routes in Poland. Routes lead through dense pine forests of the Augustów Primeval Forest, lakes with crystal-clear water, and historic locks where you can watch 19th-century machinery in operation. At each lock station, the lock is manually opened by a lock keeper – a ceremony unchanged for 185 years. Passenger boat cruises are available as well as kayak and children's kayak rentals. Fishing is possible along the entire route.
How to plan the trip
Augustów is about 130 km from Poza Zgiełkiem – about 1.5–2 hours by car. Kayak and pedalo rentals are available in Augustów and Płaska. Passenger boat cruises from Augustów through the locks – tickets are bought at the quayside. Best season: June–August. A network of cycling trails surrounds the canal – an excellent alternative for those who don't want to kayak. In Augustów, lakeside fish restaurants on Lake Necko are recommended. Accommodation in Augustów or camping by the canal – there are numerous campsites.
Visitor tip
The Augustów Canal is a full-day or weekend expedition. The best plan: stay overnight in Augustów, morning boat cruise through the locks, afternoon kayak on the Augustów–Płaska section. Book kayaks in advance at the height of the season (July–August).
Photo: Wikimedia Commons / Janusz Jurzyk / CC BY-SA 3.0
