Experience the Best of Belarus This Fall: Hiking, Castle Stays, and Candy Factory Tours

Think active vacations are only for summer? Think again! Belarus offers a plethora of options for a fulfilling and diverse fall getaway. Our curated list will help you decide what suits you best.

Visit the Yelnya Bog

Yelnya is the largest and most famous bog in northern Belarus (Mior District and part of Sharkovshchina District, Vitebsk Region). It is particularly stunning in the fall, as it lies on the migratory path of cranes, where they gather in large flocks to rest before continuing their journey. Additionally, the cranberries ripen in the fall, and the bog’s vegetation displays the most vibrant colors. Locals say Yelnya looks completely different depending on the season. In the fall, there are no mosquitoes or flies, the weather is cool, and the scenery is breathtaking.

The reserve’s territory spans 250 square kilometers, comparable to the size of Minsk and even Amsterdam. The landscape is captivating, with bonsai-shaped pines, impenetrable relict forests, winding rivers, and numerous lakes. Here, you can encounter unique flora and fauna, such as the dwarf birch, small-fruited cranberry, gray crane, and gray gull.

How to Get There

If you don’t want to wander the bog for long, visit the specially equipped trail. The trail is 1.5 km long one way. To reach it, you’ll need to walk through fields and forests, including marshy areas. Near the trail, there is an observation tower and a designated rest area. You can drive there or join a tour with various travel agencies. Many offer a one-day bus trip. The route is similar among agencies: you’ll stop by Miory and see the loudest waterfall in Belarus on the Vyata River. Prices start at 85 rubles.

For a true bog experience, consider a longer hike through the actual bog, not just the wooden boardwalk. This immersive nature experience is guaranteed. For example, you can embark on such a journey with YelnyaTrip, offering one- and two-day hikes with experienced guides and even overnight stays. A complete reset is guaranteed. By traveling with YelnyaTrip, you’ll also contribute to the project for the protection and restoration of Yelnya.

Experience a Unique Forest Hike

Spend a day observing deer, roe deer, and wild horses, venturing deep into the reserve where you can see traces of wild boars, a badger’s burrow, and a beaver’s lodge. Wander along glacial trails, gather mushrooms and herbs with experts, and learn fascinating facts about wildlife. You can also go kayaking or fat biking. As you can see, forest activities are not limited to simple walks or barbecues.

How and With Whom

Organizing such a hike independently is challenging due to the lack of knowledge. However, “Ecosystem of Tourism” and “Hike with the People” can arrange it for you. They offer amazing organization, unforgettable routes, and the best guides who know everything. Each season has its own routes and programs. Fall routes are the most contemplative.

Practice Yoga

If you’re looking for a place to immerse yourself in self-discovery and recharge, consider retreat centers. Each has its own program, typically including yoga classes, sauna sessions, lectures, seminars, and socializing.

How and With Whom

The Yoga Place Camp project has been creating a special place of power and solitude for yoga practice for 7 years. This fall, they are reviving the project in a new format and location. The “Rapa Nui” glamping site opened last year and has already gained significant popularity.

Tour Factories, Theaters, or Airports

Want something out of the ordinary for your vacation and to learn something new? Then go on a tour of factories, plants, or theaters. See firsthand what happens behind the scenes, both literally and figuratively. Such a trip will be especially interesting and educational for children, but adults will also learn a lot.

How and With Whom

You can go on a tour independently. Call the enterprise you’re interested in to learn the details: they’ll tell you when to come, how to pay, and other specifics. For example, you can tour BelAZ (Zhodino), the Neman Glass Factory (Berezovka), see how candies are made at Kommunarka (Minsk), or go behind the scenes of the Bolshoi Theater or the circus. You can even tour the airport! You can also join any of these tours with various travel agencies, as they handle all organizational matters.

Go Kayaking or Sailing

In September, you can still go kayaking on Belarusian rivers. There are many options. You can go on a one-day trip or a weekend-long adventure, on a rapid or calm river. You can even go kayaking right in the center of Minsk on the Svislach River: such a trip will take one evening but will be memorable.

If you want to experience the water element without paddling, consider sailing on Minsk Sea. Sailing at sunset, admiring the beauty of autumn nature, or having a romantic evening—what could be better?