Blue Lakes Nature Trail

The Blue Lakes, Halubyya Azyory, are a cluster of small lakes in the northern corner of Narochansky national park set in a landscape of steep glacial hills, kames and kettle holes left by the retreating ice, and the water in several of them is unusually clear and deep, which gives the colour the name refers to. Lake Glubelka is the deepest. A marked trail of around four kilometres runs through the reserve on boardwalk and gravel, past viewpoints over the lakes and hills, springs and old-growth forest, with an information centre at the entrance. Because the reserve is protected, walking is confined to the trail. Beavers, cranes and forest birds are present.

The landscape

• The deep clear lakes - Glubelka and the others in their hollows.
• Glacial hills - the kames and kettle landscape the trail crosses.
• The boardwalk - the marked route through the reserve.
• Springs and old forest - the features along the trail.

When to go

May to October for the trail; autumn colour in late September and October is the best time. Winter walking is possible on frozen ground. The trail is busiest at summer weekends.

Practical notes

Walking is restricted to the marked trail and leaving it is not permitted. Entry is charged. The circuit takes two to three hours and includes some climbing. Facilities are the entrance centre only.

Nearby

Lake Narach lies south; Myadzyel is the nearest town.