Būka - Ginučiai - Šakarva - Kaltanėnai - Žeimena

Map legend

Three day route Būka – Ginučiai – Šakarva – Kaltanėnai – Žeimena day 1 description

Route goes through a forest where you can find 2-3 obstacles(fallen trees). You’ll need to lift your kayaks through it. After half of the route you’ll see Vaisnoriske village summerhouses. As you pass a wooden bridge there will be 3.5 km left to a concrete bridge, after that an extra 1.5 km will bring you to Baluosas lake. Swim through it to another side of it, you should see a white bridge and Vaizdiuske village. A swim through lake should take around 20 minutes.

When you enter Baluosas lake on the left you’ll see ethnographic Suminai village, in which “Tadas Blinda” movie was filmed. There are 7 islands in the lake, in one of them – Ilgasale you can find a small lake with a stream. This island is nearby Trainiskis village. If you want to visit this island your route will take an extra 3 km.

You need to swim 200 m in a short stream after crossing a white concrete bridge until you enter Baluoskystis lake. At the end of the lake on the left you’ll see Skrezda stream flowing out, it’s length only 1km before entering Srovinaitis lake. In that lake keep on the right until you see Ginuciai village with watermill. You’ll need to carry your kayaks across the road, it is recommended to visit XIX century mill’s museum. There is a shop, cafe and a place to bathe with below a waterfall.

You’ll continue your journey downstream a Srovė river until on your right you’ll see Almaja river, you need to swim through it to Alamajas lake. After 400 m you’ll see a paid 1.2 km long campsite.

Three day route Būka – Ginučiai – Šakarva – Kaltanėnai – Žeimena day 2 description

Grįšite atgal Almajo ežeru iki Almajos upės ištakų. Plauksite Almajos upe iki Srovės upės ir pasuksite į dešinę. Get back to Alamaja river through Almajas lake. After reaching Srovė river continue your journey downstream for a 2.5 km until you get to Asėkas lake. There is a lot of fish in this lake. Keep  your right and after 800 m  you should see Dumblis river outflow. Careful, this river is deep, but only 800 m length. After you enter Linkmenas lake you’ll see Ladakalnis just in front of you. the sight from the hill is very beautiful, you can see 6 different lakes: Asėkasm Linkmenas, Alksnaitis, Alksnas, Pakasas and Ukojas.

When you enter Linkmenas keep your left and after 700 m you’ll enter second section of Dumblis river where you’ll cross a wooden bridge. After 600 m  you’ll reach Asalnykstis lake, keep your left between a shore and Gimžiškė island(one of the highest islands in Lithuania).  After a 400 m  you’ll enter a channel connecting Asalnykštis with Asalnas lake. On the left you’ll see Puzinškis village, we recommend to visit Puzinškis Oak. After that swim through Asalnas lake on it’s right, +2.5 km and you’ll enter 1 km length strait, which connects Asalnas and Lūšiai lakes. On the left Meironiai village, on yout right Pabiržė peninsula. After entering Lūšiai lake keep swimming froward. After you reach shore turn right and you’ll cross another channel(~60 m  width), on the left stands Pašakarvio village, on the right Mačiutiškis peninsula. here starts Šakarva lake, one of the deepest in the AUkštaitija Regional Park( 40 m depth, deepest lake is 70 m deep – Tauragnas lake). Keep rowing for an extra 2 km until you reach concrete bridge where you enter a swift 200 m length Šakarva stream to Žeimena lake. On the right shore stands Šakarva village. Swim through lake straight about 1.5 km. On the right you will see summerhouse of Bajorai village. You should reach a place where the lake bracning to three routes. You must take middle one and after 2 km on your left you’ll see a field and a bridge, + 200 m Kretuonis stream, + 300 m paid Pakretuonė campsite. We recommend to visit Pakretuonė watermill where you can bathe below a waterfall. It is a private zone, so you need to pay to enter.

Three day route Būka – Ginučiai – Šakarva – Kaltanėnai – Žeimena day 3 description

Next day your journey continues on Žeimenis lake. Turn left, lake is not wide, enjoy woods on the shores and isles in the water. AFter 3.5 km you’ll enter a narrow section of the lake with a bridge above from Ožkiniai village to Pakretuonė forest. For the next 1 km keep your right until you see Žeimena river outflow. This where Kaltanėnai town is.

About Kaltanėnai

Kaltanėnai town was mentioned for the first time in XV century. You can visit Saint Lady church(1903-1909 m). In 1838 m  built wooden manor barn.

After 3 km downstream on Žeimena one the left you’ll see a small village Šališkė and on the right a tributary Kiauna river. After 2 more kilometers you’ll swim through a village Naujoji Brasta and after 3 km more – village Lukna. After the village you’ll see tributary Lukna. 5 km more to Jusiai village and tributary Sirgėla. It will take 6 km more to reach concrete bridge near town Švenčionėliai, it is the finish line to this route.

About Švenčionėliai

Švenčionėliai was mentioned for the first time in 1686m. In 1861 a railroad between Warsaw and Saint Peterburg started running through the town. 1899 was the date for another railroad from Panevežys to Lentupiai got started, since then it is a railroad crossroads. Currently there is ~7000 residents in this town.

About Buka river

Probably the most beautiful stream in the Aukstaitija Regional Park. It starts to flow from Utenykstis lake. Only 8 km in length, a river flows calmly, untill Vaisnoriske village it is a relatively wide stream, but very shallow, after that river narrows and swift flow even chews Buka shores. River ends after flowing in to Baluosas lake.

About Kiauna River

A wildly beautiful Kiauna river flows 16 km through Labanoras woods. Almost whole route goes to through uninhabited places. Even thought Kiauna is calm and not dangerous still from time to time you can find fallen trees and you’ll need to lift your kayak through it. There is a lot of small tributaries to the river, there is a lot of swift sections. You’ll see places almost entirely surrounded by swamps, forests or simply sandy sections. Kiauna is a perfect river to enjoy the beauty of wilderness.

About Žeimena river

Žeimena is 82 km length with tall sand scarps with pinewoods growing above. You’ll not be bored, it is one of the most popular rivers for kayaking. Anyone can swim it, both young and old, experiencied and newbies. A river starts in Labanoras woods from lake Žeimenis. All the lakes of Aukštaitija national park has a connection to this river. Whole river is a calm rowing of 4 days to Neris river. It is one of the cleanest rivers in Lithuania so it is the main place for salmon spawning.