Maria Braun

The Magical Bug River: A Journey into the Heart of Nature

Bug! I highly recommend this river if you’re looking for peace, quiet, and a genuine connection with nature. Here, the world feels different—full of untamed wilderness and wild beauty that captivates with its simplicity and mystery.

From July 23 to 25, 2021, I embarked on an unforgettable journey, paddling from Niemirów, right on the Polish-Belarusian border, all the way to the Zegrze Reservoir. The route covered 223 kilometers, spanning the entire stretch of the Bug River within Poland. The border section of the Bug is something I’m saving for an undefined future—another adventure waiting to be discovered.

The Wildness and Charm of the Bug

The Bug is a truly wild river that doesn’t allow for easy or comfortable travel. It’s very shallow, so I often had to get out of the boat and drag it through sandbanks. But that has its advantages—there are no motorboats, which guarantees a silence and serenity that’s hard to find elsewhere. The river is mostly unmarked; the only signs are those on islands, showing which side to pass on. Even those can sometimes lead you onto rocks or sandy shallows, adding an element of unpredictability to the trip.

The riverbanks of the Bug are beautiful and wild, perfect for stopping and camping in nature. In this regard, it’s more like the Vistula than the Warta, where finding a good camping spot is a real challenge. Numerous islands, often clustered together, enhance the landscape’s charm. Constant companions on the journey were grey herons and swans, whose majestic presence added to the beauty of the surroundings.

Encounters Along the Way

While traveling, you can meet not only wild animals but also interesting people on the Bug. Anglers I passed often brightened my day with their remarks. Beyond the usual questions like, “No man with you, miss?”, “Why all alone?”, or invitations to barbecues, this time I even heard, “Tokyo’s not that way.” These encounters brought color to my journey, making each moment full of surprises.

Beauty and Peace vs. Civilization

Along the route, I passed picturesque towns like Drohiczyn, Brok, and Wyszków, which look particularly beautiful from the river. Unfortunately, starting near the village of Popowo, motorboats and jet skis began to appear, especially on weekends, disrupting the peace and creating large waves. After two and a half days spent in the wilderness, entering the Zegrze Reservoir was somewhat disappointing. The noise and bustle of that place sharply contrasted with the tranquility of the Bug.

I’ll definitely return to the Bug, although next time I’ll gladly end the trip before Popowo, where the peaceful atmosphere changes. The vibe of this river is hard to describe—you simply have to see it and experience it for yourself. I wholeheartedly encourage you to set off on a journey down the Bug, where you can encounter the true wildness of nature and escape the noise of everyday life.

My route totaled 223 km, and the overall distance covered by Bloody Mary—my boat—since her maiden launch now stands at 1,230 km. You could say she’s a seasoned veteran and—using automotive lingo—well broken in!

See you on the water!

Adres

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