Lithuania. Lakajai lakes and river
During our two weekend trips to Labanoras Natural Park, we kayaked on Lake Juodieji Lakajai, reaching its connection with Baltieji Lakajai, and then paddled along the Lakaja River to its source - the Žeimena River, also traversing its picturesque part...
We completed the route in four days, enjoying our time at well-equipped municipal (free) rest areas - Stovyklaviete, located in the heart of pine forests... These places were perfect for slacklining...
Map of the route...
Arriving at the lake district on Friday evening, we set up our tent at the Juodųjų Lakajų stovyklavietė rest area...
The next morning, we kayaked across the expanse of Lake Juodieji Lakajai...
Strong winds that day raised waves, making comfortable movement across the lake difficult, so after reaching the connection with Lake Baltieji Lakajai and paddling its waters a bit, we returned...
The land around the lakes of the natural park is densely covered with pine trees...
Returning to shore, we prepared lunch...
After lunch and some rest, I set up a slackline between the trees and practiced a bit...
The next morning, we set off with the kayak along the river route, which followed the Lakaja River...
The river is well-cleared and full of water...
The river flows into a small lake, from which it flows again after a kilometer to the next - Lake Lakaja...
While paddling Lake Lakaja, we again launched the drone to photograph its beauty from above...
After paddling about 12 kilometers and docking at the next rest area - Lakajos ežero stovyklavietė, I changed and ran to get the car, which was left at the previous overnight spot nine kilometers away... While I was running, Diana packed up the kayak, so when I returned with the car, all we had to do was load the kayak and head home...
The following weekend, we continued our descent along the Lakaja River... Arriving at the same rest area on Friday evening, we set up our tent for the night, and the next morning, we paddled the lake to the next river source...
From the lake, we flowed into the continuation of the Lakaja River... Interestingly, the entire route is marked with poles that indicate the direction from the water...
Paddling along the scenic bends of the river to the constant accompaniment of bird songs, we saw a pair of swans that had nested in the river's bay to raise their offspring...
Launching the drone while paddling past tall trees was the hardest challenge... While Diana steered the kayak alone, avoiding obstacles, I tried to follow us with the drone from above, looking for good shots... The problem was the sudden gusts of wind, which sometimes carried our little "bird" away, depriving me of control for a few seconds and risking losing it... But the footage was worth the risk...
After paddling about ten kilometers, we stopped for breakfast...
Covering a total of 22 kilometers, we stopped at the Žeimena Stovyklaviete rest area...
These water rest stops along the route are marked with corresponding poles...
We liked Žeimena Stovyklaviete the most... Settling on a clearing, I put on my running shoes and ran to get the car along a forest route... Running 14 kilometers, I returned to the rest area with the car, after which we set up our tent and settled in...
The next morning, we finished kayaking down the Lakaja River, flowing into the wider and even more full Žeimena River, which is considered the cleanest river in Lithuania... Seeing how the river looks from the air, with its waters embracing the towering pines, is even more breathtaking...
After paddling over 20 kilometers, we completed the planned route and stopped by a bridge to pull the kayak ashore. Changing clothes, I ran to get the car as usual, while Diana deflated and packed the kayak, waiting for me to return with the car...
Comments
Post a Comment