The Augustow Canal, in Poland, lets you set off on an unforgettable journey through the Central and Eastern Europe. This listed 19th century construction is a unique masterpiece of Polish military engineering. Taking advantage of post-glacial landform, the Canal links a series of lakes around Augustów as well as the valleys of several rivers: Biebrza, Netta, Czarna Hancza and Neman
The reason behind the construction of the Augustow Canal was customs war between the Kingdom of Poland, Russia and Prussia. Poland had difficulties with access to the Baltic Sea which impeded trade development. In order to make import and export of their goods easier, Poland and Russia decided to build a canal to link the Narew and Neman river basins. Over 5,000 people took part in the construction of the Canal, and its main engineer – General Ignacy Prądzyński – managed to connect practical solutions with Polish national symbols. White sandstone and red bricks, which were used to build the canal locks, represented the Polish national colors.

Today the Augustow Canal is one of the most precious historical sites in Podlaskie Region. With its total length of 63 miles (102 km), 50 miles (80 km) of this inland waterway lie within Podlaskie. The Canal is a huge tourist attraction. Along the way there are 18 locks, which have been hand-operated for nearly 180 years. Each lock preserved an original plate with the name of its constructor and the construction date. The Canal was so designed to integrate with the nature of the Augustów Primaeval Forest, which gives a large number of opportunities for recreation in Augustow and the surrounding area. Water sport lovers can indulge in kayaking, while those who seek peaceful rest can set off on a ship, gondola or catamaran cruises. We also recommend bicycle tours or hiking trips along the Canal.

You can also discover the Augustów Canal by embarking on the Papal Trail which is a tribute to late St. Pope John Paul II and his visit to Augustów. The trail leads though the places which the pope St. John Paul II had been to. Cruising aboard the “Serwy” ship you will have the opportunity to admire historical canal locks and the sanctuary of Holy Virgin Mary in Studzieniczna, where the pope used to pray in a small chapel. The Papal Trail was awarded with the Golden Certificate of Polish Tourist Organization.

It is possible to continue the trip along the Augustow Canal further into Belarus and Lithuania. Excursions to the Belarussian part of the Canal are possible thanks to visa-free entry for tourists who wish to visit the of Augustów Canal Park zone in Belarus. You can enter the zone without visa for up to 5 days via two border crossings: “Kuznica – Bruzgi” and “Rudawka – Lesnaja”.
The Augustow Canal cross-border trail gives you the opportunity to visit Grodno in Belarus which can be reached by a kayak, bicycle or car. This historic city, located only 20 km from the border, is very closely related to Poland. Many of its monuments are symbols of Polish-Belarussian common history and cultural closeness, just to mention the museum, monument and grave of Eliza Orzeszkowa (a well-known Polish writer), the upper and lower castles of the Polish king Stefan Batory and a church of St. Franciszek Ksawery. You can go further along the trail as far as Lithuania and the Neman river. In order to get there, you can take advantage of a seasonal border crossing in Prywalka (Shvendbure). Once there you can't miss Vilnius with its Old Town (the biggest in Europe), Trakai - the pride and former capital city of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania and Kaunas - the bastion of Lithuanian tradition.
For more information please contact:

http://www.augustow.pl/en