River Kiauna (up to Kukliai km)

Although you won’t find many places of interest on this route, we recommend this river for its many twists and turns. The Kiauna (a right tributary of the Žeimena River) stretches through the forests and swamps of Labanoras, making kayaking on this river very fun. It’s a fun, spectacular swim, a bit more challenging than Zeimena. The narrow, always watery Kiauna meanders through the Labanoras Sengir. Tree canopies, ever-changing forests, riverside farmhouses, and clear river gates add variety to the journey. There are nice places to stop.

A little to the south of the village of Pakiaunis up to Kūriniai around the riverbed and its surroundings is the Kiauna Landscape Reserve. And from the village of Kūriniai and up to Kukliai, it flows through Pagilūtė Telmological Reserve. To the west of the river, a few hundred metres from the riverbed, the Labanoras Regional Park has been established.

You will start your canoe trip from the bridge at the end of Pakiaunis village. From it, let the kayaks down the Gill. The Kiauna Landscape Reserve starts here. You will sail along the beautiful banks of the Kiauna River, observing the forests and wetland vegetation. You will pass the small and cosy villages of Stirninė, Briedinė, Jakutiškis, Vasiuliškė (the village of Vasiuliškė was the birthplace of the politician and signatory of the Act of March 11 , Kazimira Danutė Prunskienė). Further on – Žvirbliškė, the village of Kūrinių, recognisable from the drawbridge, and Kukliai. Before the village of Kukliai, you will pass the lakes of Gilūtas and Sekluočis.

A more extreme section of the river will start from the village of Vasiuliškės. Overturned trees, torrential twists and turns, stone “obstacles” – this is the more adventurous part of the hike, which will continue to the Kūriniai village bridge. The river will gradually straighten out and a charming avenue of trees will lead you to the lake Gilūtas . From there, keep left – east for ~0.6 km. to the mouth of the lake. The length of the lake’s mouth is ~800 m. It will take you further to Lake Sekluotis. On the right side of the promenade, you will see a sandy shoreline where you can take a great opportunity to go for a swim. After enjoying the water activities, leave the clean and tidy surroundings and continue on to Sekluotis, where you should be greeted by  royal swans. In shallow water, sail along – eastwards. The lake is not very watery, so the bottom of the canoe will be covered with tall aquatic grasses. You’ve probably already figured out why this lake got its name.

We strongly urge everyone – please do not leave rubbish behind. They can be disposed of at the overnight stay or at the finish line.

After about 0.75 km, point the kayaks to the right – southwards as you approach the shore. Then follow until you reach the river flowing out of Sekluotis. Soon you will see the village of Kukliai, after crossing a concrete bridge, about 500 metres away, on the left side of the river, you will see a marked landing bank.
This is your finish line.