Kayak trip
By kayak down the Narewka to the Narew
A calm river from the Forest through meadows to the small town of Narew. Birds, reeds and no hurry at all.
Map: © OpenStreetMap contributors. Route lines are based on OSM data; on the ground, follow the trail markings.
The Narewka flows out of the Forest dark with peat, and for the first kilometres it is narrow, winding and wild. Then the forest parts, and the river slows and spreads out among the meadows. From a kayak you see more than from the road: storks wading in the grass, herons on a shoal, sometimes a beaver that vanishes under the water with a splash. The Narew receives the Narewka without ceremony, and a few bends later the towers of the Orthodox churches of Narew appear.
The route step by step
Narewka
Launch at the landing. Book the kayak and return transport in advance.
Meadows of the Narewka valley
The calmest stretch. The river meanders and it is easy to lose track of time.
Mouth of the Narewka
The Narewka joins the Narew. A few kilometres on, on the meadows near Odrynki, stands the hermitage.
Narew
The finish in the small town. From here it is only a quarter of an hour by car to Klejniki.
Practicalities
Surface
lowland river, gentle current
Best time
May–September, depending on water level
Start / Finish
Narewka → Narew
Frequently asked questions
Is the Narewka suitable for beginners?
The stretch from Narewka downstream is calm and suitable for families. The start, in the Forest itself, can be harder because of fallen trees.
See also
The Land of Open Shutters loop
From Klejniki through Narew, Trześcianka, Soce and Puchły and back. The prettiest villages of Podlasie in one day.
56 km4–5 hrs with stopsmoderateAround Narewka: Siemianówka and Masiewo
A loop from Narewka to Siemianówka Reservoir and back along the edge of the Forest via Masiewo. Birds, water and woods.
37 km3–3.5 hrsmoderate
The guide on your phone
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Your base: Klejniki
Every route in this guide starts within an hour of our house. After a day out, a tiled stove, a kitchen with a wood-fired range and silence are waiting for you.