Biebrza River

Biebrza

The Biebrza River is the right-side tributary of the Narew River. Its source is in Sokolskie hills near Nowy Dwor village. Biebrza is the typical lowland river, strongly meandering with numerous old river-beds and reservoirs and relatively lazy stream. Canoeing trip along Biebrza River leads through wide, open-landscape valley. Clear water allows observation of interesting water plants and animals. The route is characterized as not onerous without any obstructions in the flow and because of that it can be recommended for beginners. River stream is very lazy, particularly in the upper part where the stream is almost imperceptible. The 7-day long trip best to start at the marina in Lipsk. There is also not large camping place with basic tourist infrastructure. It is essential to mention, that camping and burning bonfire along the route is allowed only in designated areas. Click on the map below to see this uncommon river.

With kayak or canoe along Biebrza River – day 1st.

• 0,0 km – start from the small marina in Lipsk. The marina is joined with the main stream of Biebrza by the narrow, about 300 m long channel.
• 0,3 km - channel joins Biebrza near the bridge on the road Dabrowa Bialostocka – Lipsk. We turn to the right here and paddle on the river strongly overgrown with water plants. There are also many clusters of rushes in the flow. The riverbanks are inaccessible, marshy and overgrown with alder forest. This section of the route is unusual lonely.
• 7,0 km - we pass visible in the distance village Suszalewo situated on the left riverside. Sparse wooden push-boats stand in vicinity of the village. Then Biebrza changes its character and creates a system of small and larger reservoirs joined with narrow isthmuses. River banks are overgrown with high reeds and it makes an impression on paddlers to moving in the tight tunnel.

• 11,1 km - we pass the mouth of the old drainage system on right.
• 12,5 km - Kamienna River mouth on left.
• 13,4 km - we pass nearby „marina” of push-boats. The valley is wide and thanks to used meadows we have much better visibility to a landscape here. Then Biebrza becomes wider but river banks are still overgrown with high reeds.
• 17,9 km - first we pass under the bridge on the road Kamienna Nowa – Jastrzebna and then, after 30 m under the bridge on the railway Dabrowa Bialostocka – Augustow.
• 18,1 km - we paddle up to the meadow on left. Favourable place with sandy-bottom way out to a bank, bathe and to get kayaks out of the water. This is the worst camping place along the Biebrza trial but only in the surroundings to finish the first day of the trip.

With kayak or canoe along Biebrza River – day 2nd.

• 21,9 km - we pass the Lebiedzianka River mouth on right, which is equal wide to Biebrza, thus if we have any doubts where to go we should keep left. Waters which we pass farther are the fragments of old riverbeds or drainage systems.
• 26,2 km - we reach the meadow with birch trees on left. Favourable place for a short stopover. The river bed here is relatively wide but overgrown with water plants.
• 27,9 km - the river’s split. First we choose the right river bed, then left.
• 34,2 km - The bridge on the road S8 Bialystok – Augustow near the big village Sztabin.
• 34,9 km - camping site on left. We can overnight accommodate in primitive shelters or pitch a tent. This is also the best place to finish the second day of the trip.

With kayak or canoe along Biebrza River – day 3rd.

• 36,4 km - the primitive camping site of Biebrza National Park with place for burning bonfire and information board. Here we have possibility to go to a grocery shop, post office or pharmacy. On the way to the village we can replenish drinking water from a hydrant. Downstream Sztabin the Biebrza River becomes strongly meandering and the stream power increases.
• 39,8 km - Split of the river. It’s better to paddle down the left and larger channel. The river is wider here and the stream is lazy again.

• 42,9 km - we paddle along easy accessible river bank and used meadows. More far on the horizon we pass small village Czarny Las on right.
• 45,9 km - very good place to get some rest nearby pine forest. Easy exit from kayaks to a mineral, sandy river bank located on a river bend. Then we pass side of used meadows on right. About 80 meters away small forest on a hill is visible.
• 51,7 km - we paddle right side of very picturesque wooden houses of Jaglowo village located on slightly elevated river bank. The village is uncommonly long and river is very shallow, stone-bottom with numerous cluster of rushes. We should be carefully not to damage kayaks.
• 53,4 km - road bridge behind Jaglowo.
• 58,4 km - camping site on the right river bank situated close to the mouth of Augustow Channel near Debowo village. This is the best place to pitch a tent and to swim. Nearby repaired lock which ends Augustow Channel.

With kayak or canoe along Biebrza River – day 4th.

• 59,0 km - old mouth of Augustow Channel on right. Biebrza is much wider since the point and stream power becomes quite strong.
• 60,2 km - - we pass favourable place for short break and bathe on left, located on the opposite side of Jasionowo village. In the distance one can see a birch forest. Around this place start open meadows and good visibility to the landscape. Down the river on the right river bank extends a gravelled road between Jasionowo and Dolistowo named Tsar Road.

• 62,2 km - we pass mouth of the small river Brzozówka on left. Biebrza River is wide and relatively straight.
• 62,4 km - width mouth of Wogzalski Ditch.
• 66,1 km - road bridge near Dolistowo.
• 66,7 km - camping site of the Biebrza National Park on the left river bank in Dolistowo. Here we have a possibility to go to a grocery shop. Nearby also the small bar is located. On the camping site are a place for bonfire and umbrella roof also.
• 71,6 km - river’s split nearby Wrocen. We can go to a grocery shop in the village but we should choose left channel to get closer to the village.
• 71,8 km - the river splits another time. To reach Wrocen one should keep left at every split. In the vicinity of Wroceń the Biebrza River is a multi-channel river flowing round numerous small islands
• 76,1 km – we pass the mouth of Elk River on right. Opposite appear buildings of small village Krzecze. Biebrza is wide and not winding. From time to time on both sides we pass old river beds.
• 79,4 km - – while paddling along Dawidowizna we reach well located camping site. Near the village there are many places to make a break or finish 4th day of the trip. We can paddle also another 5 km and finish the trip in Goniadz, but because of neighbourhood of the town and road, camping in Goniadz might be too noisy.

With kayak or canoe along Biebrza River – day 5th.

• 80,4 km - we paddle along long old river bed named Tur Bay, joined with Szumowo Bay by Maciesze ditch .

• 81,9 km - river’s split near Goniadz. To get the town we must turn to the left at every next split. Than we pass near tourist centre with “Kamil” and “Bartek” guest-houses.
• 84,2 km - road bridge in Goniadz. Behind the bridge a large camping site is situated. In the vicinity of the bridge there are shops, bars and other signs of civilisation. We can finish 4th day of the trip here, but who prefers to rest in a quiet place this should seriously consider doing the camp in Dawidowizna, 5 km upstream.
• 86,5 km - we reach Szafranki village on the left river bank.
• 91,8 km - while paddling along Osowiec we reach road bridge. Behind the bridge on left is a narrow channel which goes directly to a camping site near the office of the Biebrza National Park. The camping site is best organized and neat one on the Biebrza trial and it is favourable place to sightseeing of bunkers in Osowiec Twierdza. Downstream Osowiec the river becomes pretty wide.

With kayak or canoe along Biebrza River – day 6th.

• 92,4 km - the bridge on the road Bialystok – Elk and somewhat farther a double railway bridge.
• 94,0 km – we pass mouth of Rudzki Channel on right. Since the point river velocity increases and vegetation changes. Now the river banks are overgrown with willows.
• 95,5 km - a favourable place for rest or bathe. Poles of an old bridge sticks out of the water. Then Biebrza flows through a middle of uninhabited valley and strongly meanders. Numerous old river beds are visible on both sides of the river.

• 106,0 km - old river bed on right, which we must get in to paddle up to a bivouac place in Bialy Grad, where the 5th day of the trip ends. Before the old river bed a wooden observation tower is visible, thus no one should afraid to overlook this place. Grocery shop is available in Mscichy about 3,5 km away. Then, for many kilometres Biebrza flows through a middle of uninhabited valley. Beaver lodges are often passed on both sides of the river.
  
  

Attention!Because of birds’ breeding season, from January 1st to June 23rd for the section Osowiec – Bialy Grad, an additional permission is necessary for kayaking! Within that period accommodation at bivouac site at Bialy Grad is not allowed.

With kayak or canoe along Biebrza River – day 7th.

• 121,7 km - Wissa River mouth on right.
• 129,5 km - we reach Brzostowo village situated on right river bank. If we paddle before June 23rd here we should finish 6th day of the trip here at one of four available camping sites. The river is very wide and shallow along the village.
• 135,8 km - a favourable place for rest, bathe or short brake in the trip on the right river bank. near Burzyn. The village is located on a hill. Campsite on the right river bank, about 250 m from a church is also available. Here are observation deck with excellent view to the Lawki Swamp, a grocery store and post office.

• 138,8 km - we pass one of few working ferry boats used mainly for transport cattle to the opposite side of the river. Then we pass in turn: Rutkowskie, Sieburczyn, Wierciszewo and Sambory villages and another ferry boats. Beautiful, rolling landscape looks utterly different from the upper Biebrza.
• 142,5 km - Biebrza River estuary to Narew River. The river is already very wide. On the right side a hill overgrown with forest is visible. The hill is the remains of a medieval rampart. More farther buildings of Rus village appear between trees.
• 145,9 km - the big bridge on the Road Białystok – Lomza near Rus village. Best to finish the trip upon the bridge on the right river bank. The bottom there is stony thus one must be careful during getting kayaks out of the water. About 150 m uphill the bar is located. We deserved the prize.