Two ecotourism routes start in Azyory: Route No. 1 is 10 kilometres long, while Route No. 4 covers 25 kilometres. Their different itineraries lead to different endpoints. Other highlights include the waterscape of Lake Beloe, the narrow-gauge railway trail “The Preserved Pathway” and the Holy Spirit Church, built in 1867. When planning, it is worth considering the route, stated travel time and possible dates separately.

Two ecotourism routes with different endpoints

Route No. 1 in the “Ozery” nature reserve is a water and ecotourism route. It runs from Azyory via Lake Beloe to an overnight stop in the Ozery forestry district, back to Lake Beloe and onward to the “Khimik” tourist base. Route No. 4 also starts in Azyory, but is 25 kilometres long and ends at Lake Zatskovo. Along the way, it passes Lake Beloe, an organised ecotourism site, the village of Podbeloye and a dam. The routes therefore differ not only in length: Route No. 1 lists the “Khimik” tourist base as its endpoint, while Route No. 4 ends at Lake Zatskovo.

Conditions on Route No. 4 can change with the seasons. Check the current conditions for both routes before setting out.

Lake Beloe and “The Preserved Pathway”

Lake Beloe is described as the region’s largest natural lake and is part of a network of 16 interconnected lakes. The water route on the lake passes through old forests with 200-year-old oak trees and tall pines. Parabolic dunes are also part of the route; they rise about 20 metres above the lake’s shores. Alongside the water, the route therefore highlights the forest and the distinctive shape of the dunes.

“The Preserved Pathway” is a 20-kilometre narrow-gauge railway trail in the Republican Landscape Reserve Aziory. The stated travel time is 2.5 to 3 hours. In 2024, it was described as the only narrow-gauge railway route in Belarus that passes through a protected natural area. Along the way, it crosses the country’s second-longest bridge and the only bridge in Belarus that spans a lake. The trail also passes through forest swamps, oak groves and meadows that are home to notable bird and animal species. This route can be distinguished from the water and ecotourism routes by its stated travel time and several notable features of the railway trail.

The “Touch of Nature” sensory educational trail

The “Ozery” nature reserve is home to the “Touch of Nature” sensory educational trail, created for visitors with visual impairments and opened in 2018. Its five tactile sections feature gravel, soil, pine cones, wood chips and a wooden boardwalk. Information boards have Braille text, and visitors are provided with audio players and audio guides along the trail. Before visiting, it is advisable to check the trail’s current condition and the availability of audio players.

Thematic guided tours and individual lessons for children are held at the educational trail. Ask in advance about current dates and how to register. These offerings are distinct from the trail’s tactile features: when planning, the focus here is on the particular event, not just the route.

The Holy Spirit Church and community life

The Holy Spirit Church in Azyory was built in 1867. The parish’s spiritual life includes liturgies, processions, a Sunday school, Christmas readings and pilgrimages to holy sites. These activities describe community life; services follow a schedule. Check the current times before visiting. Baptisms and weddings are held by arrangement with the priest.

Discover more destinations: Astravets, Iŭje, Zeĺva, Žaludok, Lida, Karobčycy, Kareličy, Nawahradak

Back to the regional travel overview: Grodno Region.