Top Travel Destinations in Belarus for the Adventurous Soul

Recently, we shared some unique spots near Minsk where you can enjoy nature’s beauty and recharge. This article is for those who love traveling across Belarus and aren’t afraid of long distances. Journalist and writer Olga Davletbaeva, who has traversed all of Belarus with her husband and two children, shares some extraordinary places they found far beyond the city limits.

Mosar Dendropark: A Day Among Exotic Plants

Where: Vitebsk Region, Mosar Village.

Mosar is a great destination for those who don’t mind a long journey. The village itself is a historical gem, first mentioned in chronicles in 1514. The crown jewel of Mosar is the St. Anne’s Church, built in the late 18th century. The church has remained active since its foundation, a rarity in Belarus.

The dendropark offers well-maintained paths, bridges over artificial ponds, gazebos with stunning views, and a spring with clean water. Children will love the playground with wooden houses and swings. The park is home to a vast array of exotic flowers, shrubs, and trees.

Bring your own snacks and drinks, as there are no food facilities. The park is perfect for a picnic in the fresh air.

How to get there: By car or bus.

Cost: 41 kopecks for children, 82 kopecks for adults.

Ecotrail on the Yelnya Bog: A Comfortable Walk Through the Bog

Where: Vitebsk Region, Kanahi Village.

This ecotrail is laid on a unique 9,000-year-old bog, consisting of 118 bog lakes. Yelnya is the largest of them. The 1.5 km trail offers a dramatic change of scenery, from groves to meadows and boggy lakes.

The trail is a wooden walkway with rest areas, benches, and information stands. You can spot rare birds and unusual plants. In autumn, cranes stop here during their seasonal migration, and cranberries grow in abundance.

How to get there: By car or with tourist firms. You can also take a train to Miory and book an excursion at the ecological visitor center (by appointment only).

Cost: Free for self-guided tours. Additional fees apply for guided tours, bog shoes, and an off-road vehicle ride.

Safari Park in the National Park “Pripyatsky”: A Train Ride to See Wild Animals

Where: Gomel Region, Lyaskovichi Agrotown.

Even with small children, you can enjoy this 8 km safari through the reserve on a special train with a guide. You might see deer, wild boars, roe deer, hares, foxes, and other animals in their natural habitat.

The train makes several stops, including at the Ancient Settlement, where you can see wooden sculptures of Slavic pagan gods and the Sorcerer’s House. At the Wishing Glade, you can make a wish and tie a ribbon to a tree (ribbons are provided).

The excursion takes place in the National Reserve “Pripyatsky”, home to over a hundred species of animals and birds listed in the Red Book of Belarus.

How to get there: By car or train from Minsk to Brest, stop at “Lyakhovichi”.

Cost: 9 rubles for children, 10 rubles for adults. Museum visit is extra. Book safari tickets in advance by phone.

Nature Reserve “Blue Lakes”: Immerse Yourself in Nature

Where: Myadel District, Minsk Region.

The “Blue Lakes” is a fantastic place worth visiting. It offers forests, mirror-like lakes, rivers, ridges formed by glaciers, and hills. The reserve has an ecotrail with three routes: 3 km, 4 km, and 7 km. The terrain is hilly, so it’s not very comfortable with small children or strollers.

The ecotrail has stands describing the animals and birds living in the forest. A viewing tower offers a wonderful view of Lake Glubelka. The forest has several lakes with very clean water suitable for swimming. There are gazebos or benches by the water where you can rest and enjoy nature.

One of the attractions is the Dead Lake, a unique lake with dark water filled with groundwater and formed by the collapse of an earth layer. The ecotrail also passes by the Stracha River, the most turbulent river in the country, popular for kayaking.

There are fourteen glacial lakes in these parts. To explore them all, it’s better to go without children, as you can easily cover 20 km. Note that mobile reception can be spotty here.

The highest point of the route is 220 meters, which is 125 meters less than the highest point in Belarus, Dzerzhinskaya Mountain.

How to get there: By car, with a tourist firm, or on bus 521-SK “Minsk – Komarovo – Svir”.

Cost: 2 rubles.