Mount Mayak (Mount Beacon or Mount Lighthouse) is one of the highest hills, as well as the most famous and one of the best observation points in the vicinity of Braslaw Lakes. Mount Mayak is located in the Braslaw district, Vitebsk region of Belarus, almost in the center of the main group of Braslaw lakes. Mount Mayak is the highest hill in the whole group of hills, which is proudly called: “Kezikauskija Mountains”, by the name of the village of Keziki, next to which is located this whole group of hills and mount Mayak in particular. The height of Mount Mayak relative to nearby lakes is about forty-five meters, and the absolute height above sea level reaches 174 meters. At the top of this hill today has a special tourist observation deck, and at the foot of the mountain there is a spacious car parking. An excellent asphalt road leads from the city of Braslaw to the Mayak Mountain.

Mount Mayak (Mount Beacon)

Mount Mayak is surrounded on three sides by lakes, and its peak is at the same time the highest point in all environs, so this hill is ideally similar to the role of a survey point. The Mayak Mountain offers an extremely picturesque and bewitching panoramic view of the stunning beauty of Braslaw Lakes and unique hilly landscapes. Thanks to all this, this tourist attraction is very popular among travelers. Numerous tourists come here to fully enjoy the unique beauty of the pristine nature of the Braslaw region. Local guides and local historians without fail include mount Mayak in their educational and sightseeing routes along the Braslaw Lakes. This visiting is also included in several thoughtful walking and cycling routes, which are part of the tourist infrastructure of the Braslaw Lakes National Park. In the immediate vicinity of Mayak Mountain there are two well-equipped tourist camps of a general type with gazebos and awnings. The observation deck on mount Mayak is one of the most visited sites in the Braslaw Lakes National Park.

Mount Mayak (Mount Beacon)

With the naked eye, from the observation deck installed on the very top of Mayak Mountain, the amazing Strusto Lake with its numerous islands and shoals, which washes the hill from the south, is best seen. In good weather on the horizon you can also clearly see the Catholic church in the village of Slabodka and the outlines of the castle hill in Braslaw itself. If you are armed with professional optical equipment, then in suitable weather and time of year, from the observation platform on the top of Mayak Mountain, you can also see Catholic churches in the villages of Ikazn and Plusy, a Catholic church in Braslaw, as well as a mast of a wind farm on the border with Latvia.

Mount Mayak (Mount Beacon)

Unfortunately, the view of Lake Snudy, which the mount Mayak is washed by from the northern side, is blocked by dense vegetation most of the year. In summer, from the observation deck you can see only a small part of this huge and picturesque lake. However, if you take a little walk, then tourists and travelers can still enjoy the view of this lake. Indeed, tourists and travelers should not stop their attention only at the top of mount Mayak, as the only observation point. In search of interesting landscapes, it makes sense to walk around the surroundings. Here in different places you can find unexpectedly picturesque views of the lakes Strusto and Snudy. The natural richness of these places is also complemented by the uniqueness of the relief and local landscapes. Here, hills of various heights line up in chains and alternate with lakes, hollows and funnels. Such landscape shaving a low-mountain character, are rare for the flat territory of Eastern Europe.

Mount Mayak (Mount Beacon)

Mount Mayak (Mount Beacon)

Mount Mayak (Mount Beacon)

Mount Mayak (Mount Beacon)

Mount Mayak (Mount Beacon)