Necko: a lake in Augustów and the gateway to the Augustów Canal

Necko: a lake in Augustów and the gateway to the Augustów system

Necko is a 400-hectare lake lying right in Augustów, one of the ribbon lakes on the edge of the Augustów Forest. For a paddler the key thing is that it forms the water gateway to the whole region: from Necko the river Netta leads out into the historic Augustów Canal, and from there the way opens onto further lakes and the famous Czarna Hańcza trail. It is also the finish of one of the best-known kayak trips in Poland. At the same time Necko is a town lake and a busy one, with passenger boats and motorboats about.

Where Necko lies and how it connects to the Augustów Canal

Necko lies on the Augustów Plain, ringed by the woods of the Augustów Forest, the largest in this part of the country. The Rospuda flows into it, and the Netta flows out, turning into the Augustów Canal. Through this canal the lake connects on to Białe and Studzieniczne, and further still to the Czarna Hańcza. That makes Necko the natural water hub of Augustów - you can head out from here in many directions, from the calm Netta to the wild valley of the Rospuda.

Can you paddle a kayak on Necko?

Yes, Necko makes a good start or finish point. This is exactly where the classic Czarna Hańcza and Augustów Canal trail ends, running from Wigry to Augustów. From Necko you can also set off onto the Netta, the Rospuda and towards the other lakes around Augustów. You can hire kayaks right by the lake, and the Bielnik town beach is a convenient place to put in.

Safety on Necko: motor traffic and wind

Put your buoyancy aid on and adjust it while you're still ashore. Keep it on the whole time you're on the water. Necko is large, open water - more than five kilometres long, so a wave builds quickly on it in the wind. Bear in mind, too, that the lake is busy: Żegluga Augustowska boats run here, motorboats and jet skis are about, and there is even a water-ski cable lift. The wash from a fast boat can capsize a kayak, so turn your bow into it, keep close to the shore and away from the shipping lane.

Augustów and the Augustów Canal: what to see

Augustów is one of Poland's youngest spa towns - it gained full spa status in 1993 - and its town rights were granted in 1557 by Sigismund Augustus, from whom the town takes its name. The area's biggest attraction is the Augustów Canal, a historic waterway from the first half of the 19th century, 101 km long with 18 locks, recognised as a monument of history. The canal was a candidate for the UNESCO list, but the application was withdrawn in 2010. Żegluga Augustowska boats have carried passengers across the lakes since 1953.

Water, nature and the fish of Necko

Necko is surrounded by the Augustów Forest, one of the largest unbroken forest complexes in Poland. The water in the lake is of second-class quality; as a town lake used heavily for recreation, it is busier than the neighbouring, quieter Lakes Białe and Studzieniczne, which are famous for their crystal-clear water. Among the fish caught in Necko are pike, perch, roach and bream, as well as whitefish and eel.

Where to put in and rent a kayak

The easiest place to put in is by the Bielnik town beach on Necko, where there are kayak rentals too. It is close to the outflow of the Netta and the entrance to the Augustów Canal, so the lake works well as a base for exploring the whole Augustów system. For how to match a route to the weather and your group, see my guide on how to choose a paddling route.

See the area on the interactive map Click to load the map - routes on the lake, shores and weather

How do you paddle a kayak on Necko? This is large, open and busy water - Żegluga Augustowska boats run here, motorboats and jet skis are about, and a wave builds quickly in the wind. Keep to the shore, away from the shipping lane, turn your bow into the wave and wear a buoyancy aid. From the southern end of the lake the Netta flows out, and along it you enter the historic Augustów Canal.