Verkhnedvinsk district. The Svolna River.

The Svolna River is one of the most characteristic and picturesque rivers of northern Belarus, connecting a chain of lakes of the Sebezha group and passing through the wildest corners of the Osveisky and Krasny Bor reserves. Its length is 99 km, of which 93 km run through the territory of Belarus. The Svolna flows out of Lake Necheritsa in the Sebezha district of Russia, then smoothly goes south, crosses the border and flows through the Polotsk lowland, receiving numerous tributaries and gradually expanding.

The upper course of the river passes through forests and swamps, where the riverbed is winding, and the banks are often hidden under overhanging pines. In the middle reaches, the Svolna crosses two large lakes — Lisno and Buzyanka. These areas are especially popular with water tourists: calm water, wide stretches and picturesque shores create ideal conditions for a leisurely rafting trip. In the lower reaches, the river becomes wider — up to 18-20 meters, the valley widens to one and a half kilometers, and the riverbed makes many steep bends.

Svolna is a river with character. In spring, there is a powerful flood here: the water level rises by 4-7 meters, and the ice drift lasts only a couple of days. In summer, the river is calm, clear, with a gentle current, which makes it convenient for kayaking routes. There are three free tourist parking lots on the territory of the Krasny Bor hunting farm — Reuty, Burlyovo‑1 and Burlyovo‑2. They have fire pits, tables, canopies, firewood and convenient exits to the water. These places have become the starting point for popular water routes, including international ones that pass through Svolna, Degtyarevka and Osveisky Lake.

A special pleasure is to observe nature along the river. Swans, great white herons, and gogols can be seen on the quiet plesas, and in the forest areas there are traces of beavers that build dams on tributaries such as the Necherskaya. There are also rarer species: the wriggly warbler, chomga, and birds of prey. There are a variety of fish in the water: perch, pike, roach, bream, tench, and in deep pits — catfish and burbot.

Svolna is not only nature, but also history. Monuments and mass graves from the Great Patriotic War have been preserved along its shores. On a hill near Glubokoe Lake is the grave of the scout Elena Suravneva, who died in 1944, and an obelisk in her honor. These places remind us that the region was the scene of fierce fighting and a guerrilla movement.

Svolna is a real gift for water tourists. River routes pass through a series of lakes, narrow channels, forest corridors, and open plesas. Travelers note that the river combines both calm sections and more dynamic ones, where the channel narrows and the current accelerates. On the route, you can meet groups of schoolchildren, tourists from Russia and Belarus, and sometimes border service inspectors, because part of the way passes through the border zone.

Despite its remoteness, Svolna remains accessible to travelers. You can get there through Verkhnedvinsk, Rossony or Sebezha, and then along the forest roads to the parking lots. Many tourists start their route from the Reuty parking lot, follow the river to Burlyovo‑1 and Burlyovo‑2, and then continue on to Drissa or Osveisky Lake.

The Svolna River is a place where nature remains pristine, and the journey turns into a real adventure. Here you can see rare birds, walk under overhanging pine trees, hear the splash of beavers, meet the dawn on a quiet beach and feel the very northern silence that cannot be found in more populated places. For those who are looking for a combination of wildlife, history and water tourism, Svolna is one of the best destinations in the Vitebsk region.