Nature of Belarus: Blue Lakes Landscape Reserve

High hills alternating with steep cliffs, picturesque lakes surrounded by ancient forests, and relict plants - cypripedium calceolus, wild tulip, scorzonera glabra rupr. ... Where else can you see so many landforms and so many rare plants?! We invite you on an autumn trip to one of the most amazing places of Belarus – the Blue Lakes Landscape Reserve.

Blue Lakes are located in the territory of the National Park Narochansky. Unlike Braslav Lakes, this reserve is still an under-the-radar destination, but the picturesque views of this area have already been appreciated by travel bloggers. Bolduk Lake Group comprises more than 10 reservoirs of different depths and sizes. They were formed by a retreating glacier 11,000-12,000 years ago. They are Bolduk, Bolduchitsa, Bolshoy Boltik, Glubelka, Glublya, Glukhoye, Ilginiya, Imsharets, Karasik, Mertvoye, Maly Boltik, Okunyok and Yachmenyok.

Bolduk Lake is one of Belarus’ deepest lakes (over 46m). Boulders, that are thousands of years old and that are associated with the ancient Valdai glaciation, are found on its bottom and along the shores. It is known that unlike other local lakes Bolduk was created in the place of a tectonic fault swept through by the glacier. By the way, its shores are quite steep (in some places 30° steep), and water gets refreshed once in at least 30 years!

Glubelka Lake (28m) yields to Bolduk in depth. Shaped like a heart with an island in the center, the lake is one of the most romantic places in the country.  In summer, the water in the lake is very clear and the visibility can reach 4.5m, according to some travelers.

Legends say that it was Dead Lake (24 m) where the Vikings were buried. Perhaps its mystical past has made it the most popular tourist spot among Blue Lakes. Scientists have discovered there a 300-meter cavity with hydrogen sulfide. Moreover, according to studies, the upper layers of water in the lake are fresh and its lower ones are mineralized. In spite of this, fish and water lilies are still found here.

Stunning autumn landscapes of Blue Lakes in our photo gallery