Although we will not find many places of interest on the Kiauna River route, we recommend kayak rental in Kiauna, as it is one of the most winding rivers in East Aukštaitija. It stretches through the forests and swamps of Labanoras, which makes kayaking in Kiauna very fun.
Swimming Day 1 18 km
The most convenient way to start a kayak trip on the Kiauna River is from the bridge at the end of Pakiaunis village. From it, let the kayaks Kiauna down. This is where the Kiauna Landscape Reserve begins. You will swim, observing the beautiful banks of the Kiauna River, forests and wetlands. If you swim in the spring before the shores are still reeded with reeds, you will be able to see an impressively sized beaver “home” made of mud, branches, water grasses and other natural materials. You will pass the small and cozy villages of Stirninė, Jakutiškis, Vasiuliškės, Žvirbliškė, and Kūriniai located near the Kiauna River.
The "most extreme" and most impressive part of kayaking on the Kiauna River starts from Vasiuliškis village and continues to Kūriniai village bridge. In this forested section of the Kiauna riverbed, you will have to overcome deceptive, fast river bends and tree barriers. In places you will have to maneuver between the boulders. This place is one of the most popular among those water tourism fans who like to go kayaking in the waters of the Kiauna River.
After passing under the bridge in the village of Kūriniai, connecting the Molėtai - Ignalina road, you will swim for 2 km in the Kiauna riverbed, which is surrounded by tree-lined river banks. At first, the riverbed is very winding, then - a straight, decorated beautiful alley of trees, which together with the river seems to flow into the small lake Gilūtas.
After entering Gilūtas, turn the kayaks to the left, in the eastern direction and sail for about 0.6 km to the canal connecting the Gilút and Seklotis lakes. In these lakes you will probably have to encounter the hosts of these waters - swans. These royal birds, always welcoming their guests, always demonstrate their beauty ...
On the right side of the beginning of the channel connecting the lakes, there is a small, cozy lawn, the sandy bottom of the river glows with gold. Great place for a breath and a swim! Enjoy it and stay organic. Nature lovers, all water tourists, are very please to leave this place clean and tidy.
After passing the 800 m long duct connecting the lakes and overgrown with reeds, you will enter Lake Seklotis. Swim along the lake, heading east. It is not for nothing that this lake is so named - the bottom of the kayak will reach the lush vegetation of the shallow lake. After a good 0.75 km to the end of the lake, turn right, heading south, and swim all the way to the source of the river.
The part of the Kiauna River that flows out of the Seychelles is sometimes called Kernauja. Immediately behind Lake Seklotis is the village of Kukliai, located on both sides of the river. Kukliai village has a convenient finish. You can disembark on the lawn on the right side of the river, in front of the concrete bridge.
If you still have enough enthusiasm, travel to the river Žeimena. You will swim in the Kiauna riverbed stretching through the pine forests. After 2 km, the slowed down the river will take you to the mouth of the Kiauna River. Kiauna is the first, right tributary of the river Žeimena. It flows into Žeimena 4.30 km below the source of the river Žeimena, which begins in Lake Žeimena.
Finish
You will enter Žeimena at the Šakališkės village located at the confluence of the Kiauna and Žeimena rivers. At the confluence, turn left. You can finish in Šakališkės village, after about 400 m from the confluence, or in Kaltanėnai town, located 3 km from the confluence. If you finish the hike in Kaltanėnai, you will be able to admire the beautiful, red clay brick neo-Gothic style Kaltanėnai church, built in 1903 - 1909.
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