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Braslav Lakes

In the National Park “Braslav Lakes” are available different types of recreation for tourists. On the territory there are built tourist bases, guest houses, farmsteads, organized fishing, hunting, etc. Travelers are offered walks on trails along water bodies, protected groves, study of rare plants, etc.

History of Braslav Lakes Park

Braslav Lakes National Park
National Park “Braslav Lakes.

“Braslav Lakes” is a large landscape park in Belarus in the vicinity of the town of Braslav, Vitebsk region. Some of the forested areas are on the border of Latvia and Lithuania. The areas have been given the status of protected areas. Land is used for tourism activities, eco-activities, etc.

Location on the map (interactive)

Stages of the reserve’s development:

  1. In recreational purposes park area began to be used in the 19th century. Were built cottages, pavilions for recreation, recreation of aristocrats.
  2. In the 20s of the 20th century students from Lithuania and Poland began to come to Braslav to travel to ecological places. Areas began to be developed by dacha residents of nearby cities.
  3. In the 1930s, children’s camps, etc., were organized in Braslav and its suburbs. Sailing regattas, regional festivals, etc. were held on the waters.
  4. In the 50s, the facilities were destroyed during the World War II. The restoration of the areas began in the late 1950s.
  5. In 1958 the base “Braslav Lakes” was opened. On the land began to improve the new guest houses, building tourism infrastructure.
  6. In 1970, the territory was organized nature protection zone of national importance. People from different regions of the USSR came to the tourist centers on permits.
  7. In 1995, the National Park was founded.

General information about the National Park

The park belongs to the most beautiful resorts in Belarus. On the territory of Braslav district picturesque natural landscapes, lakes are preserved, animal populations and flora are maintained. The terrain is complex, joining hollows, hills, depressions, etc.

The Nature Conservancy consists of several subdivisions, as well as an auxiliary agro-complex, and a hunting farm.

The total area of the national park is about 70 thousand hectares. The length of the areas from north to south is 55 km, the length of the forests in the eastern direction is 9-29 km.

Photos

The park is characterized by a variety of ecosystems represented by forests, gentle slopes, lakes, and wetlands.

The area is divided into the following functional zones:

  • adjustable – from 70%;
  • reserved – from 5%;
  • economic – from 20%;
  • recreational – about 4%.

The nature protection zone was organized to protect massifs, lakes, rare plant species, historical, archaeological sites, etc. The area of forests is up to 46%. Valuable and under protection include groups of islands, wildlife sanctuaries, boulders, landscape formations, etc.

Depth and size of lakes

Up to 17% of the park is occupied by bodies of water. Within the boundaries of the protected area – up to 74 lakes, with a total area of more than 12.5 thousand hectares. Many reservoirs are connected by small rivers, channels.

Characteristics of large lakes:

  • Drivyaty: area – more than 36 km², depth – up to 6 m, level of transparency – about 2.4 m;
  • Strusto: size – up to 13 km², depth – up to 7.4 m;
  • Snoods: area – 22 km², depth – about 5 m.

Water bodies of Braslav district are eco-friendly, suitable for swimming, boating, rowing boats, diving, kayaking. There are several lakes with organized fishing.

Strusto Lake - Braslav Lakes
Lake Strusto.

Park Flora

Most of the area is covered by forests. The park has pine, spruce, birch, oak, linden, maple, etc. Many of the trees are middle-aged stands. However, in some areas there are ash trees, oaks that are up to 100-130 years old. About 9% are meadows (in lowlands and floodplains). The area of wetlands accounts for up to 16% of protected areas.

There are more than 1,900 plants on the property. The park preserves horsetails, mosses, clowns, ferns, fungi, and lichens.

About 55 plant species are recognized as rare and are included in the Red Book.

Scientists estimate that there are over 160 species of mosses, 180 species of lichens, and 395 species of fungi in the park.

Several large forested areas are formed on the territory:

  • “Boginsky;
  • “Belmont;
  • “The Boruns.

Fauna of “Braslav Lakes”

Wildlife diversity is maintained on protected lands. The park area is home to over 300 species of vertebrates:

  1. 216 bird species, including. rare (swans, cranes, storks, partridges).
  2. 45 species of mammals (deer, elk, wild boar). Populations of species listed in the Red Book are maintained in the park areas. These are bobcats, northern leatherback, and brown bears.
  3. 34 varieties of fish (tench, pikeperch, bream, ide, etc.). The rare protected snapper and European vendace are also represented.

The park is home to amphibians (up to 12 species) and reptiles (5 varieties).

Park rules

In protected areas you can rest in accordance with the rules of the organization. It is forbidden in the reserve:

  • to place tents in unimproved areas;
  • make fires outside the marked areas for camping sites;
  • destroy burrows and nests;
  • breaking down, cutting down shrubs, trees;
  • throwing trash on meadows, lakes;
  • pluck plants that are under protection;
  • place machines within a limited 30 m zone from water bodies.

Rest on “Braslav Lakes”

Tourists come to protected areas for ecological trails, bicycle routes, boating, and boat rides. Travelers are offered safari tours, water entertainment, etc. Recreation in the reserve is possible in different seasons.

We offer a trip for 2-3 days or prolonged stay in boarding houses, tourist centers. Visiting the park is free. Prices for parking lots, organized fishing, theme tours, hunting are listed in the price lists. Descriptions of eco-routes, tours are posted on the website of the reserve.

Tourists are offered:

  • fishing;
  • hunting;
  • beach vacation;
  • passing eco-trails;
  • water walks, etc.

Fishing and hunting

Fishing in the picturesque lands is organized all year round. There are the following species of fish in the waters:

  • perches;
  • burbot;
  • roach;
  • crucian carp;
  • pikeperch;
  • pike, etc.

Travelers need to buy a special permit, to familiarize themselves with the rules of fishing and restrictions. Underwater hunting is available on some lakes. Failure to comply with the requirements may result in fines, seizure of the catch, refusal to provide a permit for 1 year.

Approved periods of fishing restrictions (for pike – 09.03 – 25.04, for pikeperch – 15.04 – 30.05, etc.). Eels are under protection of the reserve.

Hunting tours for ducks, geese, hares, roe deer, beavers, foxes, wolves, etc. are organized in designated areas of the forest park. The number of individuals per species is regulated. The rules are updated and published on the Reserve’s website. It is possible to accompany the hunt individually and participate with a group.

The park holds high-level fishing tournaments with representatives from other countries.

Fishing on the lakes
Fishing on the lakes is one of the best in Belarus.

Activities and entertainment

The park has eco-trails, trails for horseback riding. At the bases, farmsteads are available to rent boats, catamarans, bicycles and other equipment. We offer solo or group vacations. During the warm season, boat trips on Lake Drivyaty are available.

Tourists are offered the following eco-trails:

  1. “Belmont Park” – the walk includes an overview of 18th- and 19th-century garden art.
  2. “Slobodkovskaya Ozovaya Ridge” – on a trip tourists can see the unusual reliefs, remnants of buildings of the 7th century BC, settlements of the 6th century AD, etc.

When passing the path scheduled time for a break.

In the summer, festivals and concerts are organized in the vicinity of conservation lands. In Braslav from May to June, the event “Sword of Braslav” is held. Next to the Castle Mountain are theatrical battles of costumed knights, performances of folk music groups.

Attractions

Travelers are invited to see archaeological, historical monuments from different periods. The list includes:

  • cult buildings;
  • ancient people’s settlements;
  • mounds;
  • churches;
  • memorials;
  • mills, etc.

The most popular attractions:

  1. Castle Mountain. The object dates from the 9th-15th centuries and is located in the center of Braslav.
  2. Church of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary. The object belongs to the monuments with neo-Gothic architectural style. The temple was founded in 1897.
  3. Church of the Nativity of the Virgin Mary. The building is located near Castle Mountain. It was erected in 1897. The architecture of the temple is in the Neo-Romanesque style.
  4. Beacon Mountain. The natural complex is located near Braslava and consists of gentle hills, hillsides and has a viewpoint.
  5. Klashtor Island. It is located on Nespis Island. Earlier on the land operated a monastery.
  6. Zamchische Ykazan. The object is located in Braslav district. Travelers can see the remains of a 16th- and 17th-century castle.
  7. Mounds. Burials of ancient people were found by archaeologists in the villages of Opsa and Ukla.
Church
Church of the Nativity of the Virgin Mary.

Route

When planning a trip, it is necessary to make route maps. You can go to Braslav by bus alone or with children from:

  • Minsk;
  • Polotsk;
  • Vitebsk;
  • Novopolotsk;
  • Riga;
  • Daugavpils, etc.

There are direct highways to Braslav from the settlements:

  • Druja – 30 km;
  • Sharkovschina – 40 km;
  • Myory – 40 km;
  • Daugavpils – 45 km;
  • Vidzy – 40 km.

Where to stay and what recreation centers there are in the “Braslav Lakes”.

Travelers can stay at recreation centers, agro-farms, wooden houses, etc. In large complexes accommodation is available with quality food.

You can rent separate cottages on the shore of the lake with landscaped beaches, bridges and paths. In organized areas in the summer you can swim.

The list of places to live includes homesteads:

  • “Slobodka;
  • “The Quiet Farmhouse;
  • “Luzhki;
  • “Murage;
  • “Leoshki;
  • “Lukomorye;
  • “Sopka;
  • “Falwark et al.

Organizations for tourists operate all year round. In addition, you can rent equipment, provide meals, etc. In the park there are special parking lots for cars and bicycles. There are places for resting and setting up tents. Houses are equipped with bathrooms, kitchens, showers, appliances, barbecues. On the territory there are playgrounds, bathing complexes. The cost of the tour may include thematic excursions.

Tourist parking lots can be shared. No prepayment is required, but travelers will put up transport, put up a tent only if there are free sites, gazebos. There are custom parking lots where spaces are booked and paid for in advance. You can apply electronically on the companies’ websites.

Recreation center
Recreation base on the lake Drivyaty.

The advantage of organized tourist parking in a convenient location near the reservoirs, picturesque hills. The buildings are equipped with covered gazebos, folding awnings, places for barbecues. Organizers provide benches, chairs, etc. Travelers need to choose clothing, taking into account the season and possible changes in the weather.

Prices for visiting “Braslav Lakes

You can arrange a trip to the protected areas on your own. It will be necessary to choose a place to spend the night. For a stop within the boundaries of tourist parking lots you have to pay 4.00-6.00 BYL. rubles per person per day.

Prices may vary depending on the season, period of stay. There is no charge for children under 6 years of age.

For custom stops price from 36 BYN per traveler. On weekends, organizers may raise the price. Therefore, first study the rates on the sites of representatives.

The cost of one-day tours – from 80 Bel. rubles, trips for 2 days – from 145 Bel. rubles. The routes include visits to “Opsa”, “Slobodka”, “Vidza”, etc.

To rent a well-appointed homestead would require 20-100 Bel. rubles for 1 night.

Tour operators recommend that you study the prices beforehand, because. seasonal changes are possible. Calculations also include renting sun loungers for recreation on the beaches at the ponds, boats, payment for licenses for hunting or fishing, etc. Prices for organized groups, business events are calculated individually.

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