In the heart of Belarus is a the Narochansky National Park, a natural wonderland of lakes, forests, and health resorts Switzerland is envious of. Virtually unknown to westerners, the area that surrounds Lake Naroch is one of the world’s most diverse biospheres. Here’s a brief look at another Belarussian travel gem.
Inside Narochansky National Park there are no less than 43 lakes segmented into four main groups. The Naroch group, the Myadel group, Bolduk group and Svir group extend across woodlands and grasslands extending into an area of more than 87,000 hectares. Created back in 1999, the nature preserve is home to deer, raccoons, otters, European badgers, and hundreds of species of fish and birds. Just 60 kilometers north and west of Minsk, the area is noted for not only its wilds, but for the curative powers of Lake Naroch and the others.
The forests of Narochansky are magic
In this part of Belarus there is a great resort tradition. Lake Naroch, has any number of chic villas, a yacht club, facilities for sailing, and even a narrow gauge railway from Lyntupy Station that runs alongside the lake. The biggest resort complex in the region, this biggest of Belarussian lakes is home to more than 20 renowned sanatoriums and holiday digs. The most noted of these are; the Naroch Tourist Hotel and the Naroch Hotel, Narochansky Bereg Pension, Narochanka Tourist Base, and Priozerny Sanatorium. Many of these take advantage of the mineral springs discovered back in 1946, during a scientific expedition to the lakes Kuzmichi, Shvakshty and Dyagili.
The Sputnik Sanatorium (Спутник) above offers myriad services and treatments including; treatments for diseases of the musculoskeletal system and connective tissue, diseases of the circulatory system, and diseases of the nervous system. The spa is a fairly vast enclave near the with a wide range of facilities from a bar and a pool to the sauna, treatment facilities and even a library and billiard room. Priozerny Sanatorium (below), and the Health Resort Sosny are good examples of the top-notch wellness resorts of the area.
One of the Sanatorium “Priozerny” pools
Spa experiences aside, there’s a lot of outdoors activity to get involved in within the refuge. Camping, hiking, hunting and fishing, and a wide array of day trip excursions are possible. One great way to experience this part of Belarus is renting a cabin or one of the many cottages or guest houses.
As for sightseeing and other things to do, Lake Naroch flows smoothly into the quaint village of Myadel, which has many nice historical monuments, burial mounds, barrows, hillforts and friendly and helpful residents.