Kurowo & Uhowo

The main starting points for exploring the park are the tiny hamlet of Kurowo and the village of Uhowo. Kurowo sits on the left (western) bank of the Narew, connected to the outer world only by a rough road, which rarely sees a passing car. Its central point is a late-19th-century country mansion that houses the Narew National Park Headquarters and a small exhibition on the park's natural history.

There's no restaurant so bring your own food or time your visit to coincide with the Podlasie Honey Feast (last weekend of August) on the last weekend of August. It's the biggest party on the national park's calendar, with beekeepers and local folk artists gathering to promote their wares.

Uhowo, near Łapy at the southern end of the park, is larger. Its the home base of Kaylon, an agency that organises canoeing expeditions.

There's no public transport to Kurowo, so without a car or bike you'll have a bit of a walk. The starting point is the village of Stare Jeżewo, 28km west of Białystok, on the main road (No 8) towards Warsaw. It's serviced by frequent buses from Białystok (every two hours). From Stare Jeżewo, walk 500m south on the road to Sokoły, and turn left at the first (unsigned) crossroads. Follow this side road for 3km until you reach another crossroads where the sealed surface ends. Take the road to the right (south) for another 1km until you see a large brick granary where the road divides. Take the left-hand fork for the last 1km to Kurowo. It takes a bit over an hour, but it's a pleasant walk through a bucolic landscape.