The National Park Narochansky

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The national park Narochansky is located in the north-west of the country and is part of the Belarusian Lake District. The Naroch Lake area is a unique natural treasure and the largest resort region of Belarus. Picturesque sceneries, clear lakes and rivers and healing mineral springs attract visitors from all over the world. The Naroch Lake region is known for its natural diversity and a special landscape that was formed during the retreat of the Valdai glacier about 15,000-20,000 years ago. It was the time when famous Naroch lakes emerged. Reservoirs occupy about one-fifth of the park and represent basins of the Neman River and Western Dvina River.

Since ancient times lands around Naroch Lake have attracted hunters, fishers, explorers and adventurers with the beauty and richness of nature, hunting and fishing. Private villas, a restaurant, a yacht club and a marina for sailing boats were built on the banks of the lake in the early 20th century. Suburban train service was available here. In 1946, during the first scientific expedition mineral springs and therapeutic muds (sapropel) were discovered in the lakes Kuzmichi, Shvakshty and Dyagili. After this a balneotherapeutics resort was created here. In the late 1950s active construction of tourist camps and holiday homes on the Naroch coast began. The sanatorium Naroch opened in 1963. Later the holiday house Naroch and the children's recreation camp Zubrenok were built...

The national park Narochansky was created in 1999 to preserve landscapes, biodiversity and the genetic fund of flora and fauna. The territory of the park covers more than 87,000 hectares (!), and includes a sanatorium and the economic zone. The park stretches 34km from north to south, and 59km from west to east. The park includes 36 natural landmarks of national and local significance. Particularly valuable natural complexes are located here. These are reserves:

• Blue Lakes (landscape complex)
• Cheremshitsy and Shvakshty (hydrological complexes)
• the Cherevki Peninsula (geological complex)
• Nekasetsky, Rudakovo and Pasynski (biological complexes)
• The largest health resort area of Belarus is located in the park. It unites 11 sanatoria and health centers. Today it is being actively modernized thanks to the implementation of the state program.

About 30 itineraries for tourists have been developed in the national park. Multi-day hiking, biking and water trips are organized, too. As many as 16 campsites are located on the shores of nine lakes. Moreover, helicopter trips are available in summer for those who want to enjoy bird's-eye view of the most beautiful places. Hunting and fishing tours, underwater fishing and diving are also organized in the park. Blue Lakes is a unique natural hilly lake complex: its glacial terrain was formed thousands of years ago. Flora includes over 500 species of plants, of which about 30 are from the Red Book of Belarus. In 2005 the complex received the status of the key natural botanical territory.

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