Narew National Park |
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A day in the National Park Your visit to the Park should start at its headquarters in Kurów. It offers a natural history exhibition, observation towers, camp site as well as the "Footbridge among marshes" educational trail. You can obtain detailed information, purchase publications produced by the Park and entrance tickets to the Park. Kayaks can be hired there and a round trip via Kurowo could be an unforgettable experience. The Narew river valley between Kurow and Kruszewo is a mere 3 km wide but the waters divide into 4, 5 or even 6 separate courses. The route is almost 6-km long (it takes some 3 hrs). One of the attractions is a visit to Koziołek fort, an example of an old fortification. Local residents offer trips by traditional pole-propelled boats (called pychówki). In addition you can relax among breathtaking scenery. Equally interesting could be the circular road around the Park. It is recommended for motorists but also bikers who can endure a 90-kilometre
trip. This road is crossed by many hiking routes, which provides opportunities for people to combine various ways of visiting the
area. Perhaps, a weekend in a kayak? Those people who have more time, should consider a two- or three-day long kayak trip on the braided courses of the Narew. The trip begins in Suraż at the southern edge of the Park, and ends either in Kurów or Rzędziany.
Basic information about the Park Location: north-eastern
Poland, west of the town of Białystok
Narew National
Park |
Orthodox church in Puchły. Photo by Andrzej Bielonko. DAY ONE: Suraż - Uhowo - Bokiny - Kolonia Topilec trip (28 km). The Archaeological Museum of Suraż and the early Mediaeval stronghold site are musts. A key place to visit in Uhowo is the Narew Gallery. In Topilec, the Saint Nicolas orthodox church is another place worth visiting as well as a military cemetery from the time of World War I (1915). In Kolonia Topilec you find a conveniently located site to pitch your tent. In Bokiny, accommodation is available in a youth hostel during the summer season. A synagogue in Tykocin. Photo by Andrzej Bielonko. DAY TWO: Kolonia Topilec - Waniewo - Kurowo trip (14 km). In Waniewo, there is a grocery shop and a lodge where full board is available. When water levels are relatively high you can reach the other bank in Śliwna. Taking the left channels, with the rapid current, you reach the headquartersof the Narew National Park in Kurowo. DAY THREE: Kurowo - Koziołek - Radule - Rzędziany trip (12 km). You begin the trip at an earth rampart of a 16th century "Koziołek" fort and end it at the Rzędziany weir, where you can return your hired kayaks. In the village, there is a bus stop, shops, a little restaurant and a post office. Peasant houses in the Borowskie Żaki village. Photo by Andrzej Bielonko |
Text: Wojciech Roszkowski |