Kayaking in Wigry National Park

Photo: Tom Ja · Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 3.0)

~3 days

Why go

Wigry National Park centres on a large, intricate glacial lake of bays, islands and peninsulas, with a white Camaldolese monastery on its shore and the Czarna Hańcza flowing through it. Motorboats are banned, so the lake is quiet, clear and made for kayaks.

When

In season: May–Sep · Peak: Jun–Aug

Who it’s for

Skill

Beginner–Intermediate

Effort

Easy

Suitable from

8+ · Kid+

Crowds

Quiet

Cost

Kayaking specifics

Tour length: 5 h
Experience: None; suitable for beginners
Water temp: 19 °C

What to expect

Easy lake paddling along wooded shores and between islands, with the river sections adding gentle current. Wind can build on the open parts of the lake in the afternoon.

Routes

What the difficulty bands mean

easy: Accessible with basic fitness; no technical skills or exposure.
moderate: Sustained effort or some exposure; comfort on the terrain expected.

Wigry lake circuit
easy
The whole shoreline of a lake with no motorboats on it
Czarna Hańcza through Wigry
moderate
The famous river where it crosses the lake, past the monastery
Wigry to the Augustów Canal
moderate
The link south to the canal system

How to start

Base in Stary Folwark or near the monastery at Wigry. Paddle the lake circuit first, then follow the Czarna Hańcza across the lake and on south towards the Augustów Canal.

Who runs this

Spływy Kajakowe Grzegorz · Magdalenowo — A family kayak outfit run by Teresa and Grzegorz Pietranis by Lake Wigry, paddling Wigry, the Czarna Hańcza and the Rospuda seven days a week.
Wigry24 · Suwałki — Kayak trips on the Czarna Hańcza, Rospuda and other Suwałki rivers, plus yacht charter on Lake Wigry.

Listed because they’re local and run this themselves. We take no commission.