Starting your canoe trip on Lake Utenykščio, paddle a few hundred meters keeping to the right shoreline to bypass the cape of Lake Utenykščio. Continue along the right bank through the Lašmens strait, known for its rich marsh flora. After navigating the marsh reeds, you’ll cross the strait and continue your journey on the Būka River. During the trip, you can rest in ethnographic areas and campsites along the river. The banks of Būka are lined with wooded forests enriching its waters. On your left is the Ažvinčiai forest, and on the right is the Vyžiai forest. Thus, paddling this river not only introduces you to the rich river flora and fauna but also proves that the Būka River is one of the cleanest in Lithuania!

In the past, the Būka River was used for log rafting. You know that the river’s water level changes in certain areas, so the water level was artificially raised to ensure optimal log transportation. You’ll find remnants of wooden dams during your journey!

About a kilometer from the start of your journey (from the Būka’s source at Utenykštis), you’ll reach the Ineiga rest area. Here you can take a break after the start. But don’t linger too long, as the journey has just begun!

You might encounter Water Lily families while paddling. Water Lilies are included in the Red Book, so please act responsibly – do not pick or harm them! If you like to pick plants as souvenirs, look around and pick Water Mint hidden among the reeds on the riverbanks. Their flowers are not only beautiful – at the end of the trip, you can brew delicious mint tea for yourself and your travel companions!

Soon you’ll notice the village of Vaišnoriškės, recognizable by the XIX – XX century style of the residents’ buildings, from whose yards wooden piers and small bridges stretch out into the river. Bypassing the piers, you’ll pass a small bridge necessary to extend the Tauragnai township. and the Braslavas township road. Next to that small bridge on your left, notice the ethnographic area: once there stood an inn, mentioned since 1765. The first homestead in this area was established in 1830. Later, four more were built.

After passing the mentioned Vaišnoriškės and the road bridge, the Būka narrows and becomes winding. This section of the Būka River is characterized by some deep spots and a more intense current. And, of course, how could there not be fallen trees across the river? You’ll find more than one, so you may need to carry some canoes over logs or on land along the riverbanks. Remember, a wet tree is slippery, the riverbed is not always even, and the current can disrupt balance. Be coordinated, unless you want to take a dip in the swift waters of Būka. J

Note that the river sometimes has bays that look like branches of the river. You’ll recognize the true riverbed by paying attention to the current – the free flow of water and the movement of plants.

And so, you’ve completed your journey on the Būka River. Its conclusion is adorned by the Baluošas Lake, rich with seven islands, which you’re now entering. The silence of Baluošas Lake is maintained by pine forests, whose resinous scents you probably already smell. Upon entering Baluošas, keep to the right side and you’ll find the Adomragis rest area. Here, refresh yourself, as a diverse range of Aukštaitija waters awaits you until the Almajas campsite!

At the Adomragis rest area, especially at the tip of the promontory, there is a clear and convenient shore inviting you to swim. It’s a great place for a dip, but not for leaving trash: be kind to nature and don’t leave litter, as there are no bins here. You’ll dispose of it in a container at the Almajas campsite, but until then, collect trash in your canoe’s bag.

So, after snacking and resting, it’s time to decide which direction to paddle. It depends on your strength and remaining supplies.

THERE ARE 2 OPTIONS TO CROSS BALUOŠAS LAKE:

First option (~1.5 km, ~20 min) – paddle straight from the Adomragis rest area to the stream connecting Lakes Baluošas and Baluošykštis. It’s about 1.5 km or 15-20 minutes of paddling. For this direction, paddle to the opposite shore of the lake. On the left should be Liepų Island, on the right – a cape called Beržaragis. From Beržaragis cape, you’ll see a bridge under which the stream connecting the lakes flows.

Second option (~4.5 km; up to ~1.5 hours) – explore the natural wonders of Lake Baluošas by visiting Ilgasalė Island. It’s a unique hydrographic formation in Lithuania, as Ilgasalė is the only island in Lithuanian lakes with a lakelet.

IF YOU CHOSE THE SECOND OPTION:

To visit the most beautiful spots of Lake Baluošas (if you chose the second option), paddle from the Adomragis campsite along the left bank of Baluošas. Soon you’ll see the ethnographic village of Šuminai, first mentioned in historical sources in 1784. Under the name Pabaluošė. In this village, there is a pine tree about 300 years old. However, the pine tree does not make Šuminai village famous as much as the historical fact that in 1972, the famous Lithuanian film “Tadas Blinda” was filmed here, and every resident of Šuminai village will show you the “Tadas Blinda villa” standing here.

Leaving Šuminai village, paddle past Degėsio Island towards the last and longest island of Baluošas Lake – Ilgasalė. Reaching the southeastern end of Ilgasalė, paddle into the bay, where you can find a stream through gaps in the vegetation and enter with your canoes.

After paddling back from Ilgasalė lake, return to the same place and direction you paddled from Šuminai village, then turn your kayaks left and head southeast, following the Baluošas shoreline. While paddling, you’ll see a promontory in the distance. After rounding the promontory, if you still have time and energy, you can briefly enter the bay and visit Trainiškis’ landmark – the 800-year-old oak, which fell to the ground due to a strong storm in 2016. Since then, visitors can view not only the trunk of this historic tree but also its top!

Exiting the Trainiškis bay, on the left side you’ll see another small promontory. From there, paddle straight towards another, larger promontory visible in the distance. After rounding it and always keeping to the left shoreline, you’ll enter a large Baluošas bay, at the end of which you’ll see a stream about 150 m long, connecting Baluošas Lake with Baluošykštis Lake. This swift stream will carry you into another adventure-filled lake area.

Paddle along Baluošykštis until you reach the lake’s outlet, leaving Simoniškis village on the left and Vaidžiškiai village on the right. After crossing the lake, slightly to the left, among the reeds, you’ll notice the source of the Skriogžlė stream.

Skriogžlė is about 0.9 km long. Skriogžlė may seem like a narrow and deep river with several sharp bends. The banks of this river are covered with trees, making the river slopes quite steep. Storms have knocked several trees into the river, but you can overcome them by jumping with your canoe if you gain enough speed. After a few more bends, you’ll enter Lake Sravinaitis.

In Lake Sravinaitis, keep to the right shoreline until you reach an island shaped like a promontory. Bypass it on the left (the island will remain on the right), and you’ll reach the famous Ginučiai watermill.

The Ginučiai mill operated until 1968. A decade later, it was restored. Now the mill is declared a state-protected 19th-century technical monument. It houses a museum where you can see authentic old mill equipment. The mill museum is open from May to October (Tuesday to Saturday 10 am – 6 pm, Sundays 10 am – 3 pm).

Disembark on the right side of the watermill dam and carry your canoes over the dam. Don’t miss the great opportunity to swim in the water stream falling from the dam’s trough!

After splashing in the strong watermill stream, you’ll get into the carried canoes and enter the Srovė River. Soon you’ll reach the confluence with the Almaja River, flowing from Lake Almajas. Turn right into the Almaja River, paddling upstream directly into Lake Almajas. At the river’s source, you may feel its resistance, but once you enter the lake, you’ll rest. In Lake Almajas, paddle keeping to the right bank, and as you slowly row, you’ll pass a pointed promontory and see the Almajas rest area.

CONGRATULATIONS!

The Almajas campsite is your finish line, where you can rest and dispose of the trash accumulated during the trip in the local containers.