Why Belarusian swamps attract more and more tourists
Fresh air, silence and peace... Tired of the hustle and bustle of the city, increasingly more people are rushing to nature — to reboot and recharge. In autumn, one of the most exotic ecotourism destinations is exploring swamps. On such tours, you can walk along an eco-trail, move from dune to dune, balance on swamp hummocks, hear the call of cranes, taste cranberries and collect medicinal herbs.
A correspondent from The MT has studied the most popular routes.
Across sandy dunes
“More than 40 percent of the Pripyatsky National Park’s territory is a mosaic of various swamps: raised, transitional and lowland bogs. The classic tour involves exploring a raised bog. The route does not require much preparation. Among the swamps, sandy dunes are scattered like islands. Moving from dune to dune, travellers not only breathe in the purest air and admire the beauty around them, but also become tactilely acquainted with the area, feeling their feet sink into the moss and the hummocks sway. In autumn, tourists gather delicious Polesian cranberries. At the start, there are special training areas where travellers can experience a ‘swamp kiss’ — a brief immersion in the mire. The main thing is not to be afraid of these amazing places and to be open to learning new things,” said the guide.
Olga shared her observations: stamina is needed for such a trip. ‘Boloting’ [swamp tour] is not just a walk along a wooden boardwalk or forest path. It is active travellers who most often embark on such hikes. There is no real danger in the swamps providing that you listen to the guide and do not lag behind the group. The hike is energy-intensive. In these areas, one kilometre travelled is equivalent to three ordinary, ‘leisurely’ ones. A wooden stick will help to maintain balance, making it easier to move through squashy grounds. “The main thing is to choose a tour that matches your physical fitness,” advised the guide. “We have options to suit all tastes. Thus, you could head to some stunning lakes. The route takes you across islands with fallen trees, which you will need to clamber over. Part of the hiking tour goes along old narrow-gauge railway lines — the rails are long gone, but the convenient embankments, running through unique natural areas, remain. You can see various types of lowland, transitional and raised bogs. Over 15km, the landscapes will change, offering a diverse range of scenery.”
For Belarusians, swamps are not only a source of mystery, myths and legends, and natural riches, but also a real treasure trove for research. Many specialists are involved in studying the features of our landscape and biological diversity. “Bogs are a Belarusian brand, part of our DNA,” noted Olga Kharitonovich. “These amazing places were a natural habitat for our ancestors, shaping their worldview, and sheltering them from danger during times of trouble.”
Eco-trail, cranes, cranberries
In autumn, the unique bog, in its motley orange-red hues, resembles mysterious Martian landscapes. Viktor Romanovsky, Director at the Yelnya Landscape Reserve, emphasised that the bogs are rightly called the lungs of Europe, as this unique ecosystem absorbs carbon dioxide more effectively than a forest, and oxygen production is many times greater, “The territory of the reserve is one-of-a-kind in its relief. Yelnya is the largest raised bog in Belarus. The ecosystem here began to form over 13,000 years ago. There are 118 lakes with picturesque mineral islands of unusual shapes. These places are a crucial part of the natural, ecological balance. Our bogs store the purest fresh water, and tourists often wash with it, speaking of its health-improving, rejuvenating effect.”After the hustle and bustle of the city, a walk in such places is just what the doctor ordered. Viktor Romanovsky shared his observations — on windless days, the special silence and atmosphere around help to relieve accumulated fatigue and reboot, “That is why we are receiving more and more guests from all over the country and from abroad. Interest in bogs is confirmed by personal observations and feedback from tour operators. Travellers are drawn to the Miory area not only by its pristine nature. Here you can see waterfalls, ancient Catholic and Orthodox churches, and estates surrounded by old avenues. The north of Belarus is an amazing land. Vitebsk Region is famous for ancient Polotsk — the keeper of Belarusian history and culture. The smallest town in Belarus, Disna, is located here, and the Western Dvina River is also extraordinary, as it was part of the trade water route ‘from the Varangians to the Greeks’. We strive to create the most interesting and diverse tours, infrastructure for our guests, where Yelnya is the centre of attraction.”
The Ozeravki eco-trail, with its wooden boardwalk, extends 1.5km into the depths of the bog. The route begins at the edge of the Yelnya reserve and passes through the following biotopes: transitional, raised and disturbed bogs, and hummock-ridge complexes. It ends at a picturesque lake. Near the trail, there is an observation tower and an equipped rest area.
At this time of year, cranes use these places as an ‘airport’ — gathering here in their thousands before flying south. This is a golden time for wildlife photography and birdwatching. “You can rent binoculars or a bicycle. It is an unforgettable experience to see off the V-formations of departing birds to warmer climes. The bogs around Miory are full of berries. During the season, there are no restrictions on collecting tasty and healthy berries,” noted Viktor Romanovsky.
The director of the reserve has no doubt that Yelnya is captivating at any time of year. In May, tourists can observe the flowering of the beautiful cottongrass among the bogs. The small, snow-white balls seem to cover the mires with a blanket of snow. In summer, the aroma of marsh Labrador tea fills everything around. Guests can go for a stroll in breathtaking places on bog shoes.
DIRECT SPEECH
Zhanna Chernyavskaya, Chairperson of the Standing Commission on Environment and Management of Natural Resources of the House of Representatives of Belarus’ National Assembly,“Belarus possesses significant areas of wetlands, which constitute a vast ecosystem. It plays a crucial role in preserving the biological diversity of our country, regulating the water balance, purifying the air and absorbing carbon dioxide. Swamp areas are habitats for a huge number of plants and animals, including rare and endangered species of flora and fauna.
Swamp ecotourism is a promising direction, which attracts both Belarusians and tourists from abroad. Yelnya is one of the most ancient and largest bog massifs in Europe, and the Polesie marshes are also famous for their unique and diverse ecosystem. Ecological tourism is a driver of regional development; it stimulates the economy by creating jobs and promoting infrastructure development. Travellers buy souvenirs, stay in local hotels and farmsteads, get acquainted with local cuisine, and participate in thematic festivals and holidays.”
By Kristina Khilko
Photos by BELTA, the author and from the personal archive of Olga Kharitonovich
