Lake Orce is a prominent natural feature of Vorcy: its water protection zone is included in the “Obsternovsky” ecological corridor. Water-based activities, conservation status and accommodation options each reveal a different side of a stay here.
Lake Orce and the Ecological Corridor
Lake Orce lies between the villages of Orce and Papki. Its water protection zone is included in the “Obsternovsky” ecological corridor, which is designated as CN9 in Belarus’s ecological network. Its designation as CN9 dates back to a 2018 presidential decree. This means the lake can be viewed both in terms of its specific location between two villages and its place within a broader ecological structure. Water protection is a nature conservation matter; beaches, jetties and boat trips are separate types of leisure activity.
Water Activities and Accommodation
A regional tourism description from 2012 mentions the “Ortsovskaya Pristan” agro-ecofarm in Ortsy and a nearby beach used for swimming and sunbathing. The farm had a 20-metre-long jetty with a diving board extending into the lake. A five-metre-high diving tower is also mentioned; the farm additionally offered boat trips on the lake. For current swimming or boating plans, check access and what is on offer in advance.
Villa “Lebedinoe ozero” is located in Ortsy on the shore of Lake Orce. Its guests were offered boat trips and fishing from a boat, as well as cycling trips to explore the surrounding area. These services are provided to guests by the accommodation. A description of the villa also mentions a sandy beach and a jetty; both are reserved for overnight guests. If you are considering staying at the villa, confirm the current range of services and the condition of the shore areas before booking.
Spearfishing in Lake Orce is listed as permitted in a regulatory overview published in 2025. Check the local rules currently in force before taking part.
More Nature and Culture in Vitebsk Region
Across the wider destination of Vitebsk Region, nature experiences range from forests to wetlands. Berezinsky Biosphere Reserve is a nature reserve of national significance that preserves natural complexes of Eastern Europe’s mixed forest zone, as well as forest and wetland ecosystems. Its ecological forest trail passes through mixed forest, secondary birch forest, pine forest and raised bog. This lets you explore different habitats as a focus in their own right, alongside the landscape around Lake Orce.
In Braslav Lakes National Park, the Mayak Hill viewpoint lies between Lakes Snudy and Strusto. It offers views of lake waters, islands and shallows; the “Mayak Hill” ecological trail starts at the foot of the hill. The combination of a viewpoint and a trail starting there offers a different focus from a stay on the lakeshore.
Polotsk is a cultural highlight of Vitebsk Region. The Polotsk National Historical and Cultural Museum-Reserve comprises eleven museums. The Museum of the History of the Architecture of St. Sophia Cathedral is housed in the cathedral, a historical monument dating from the mid-11th to the mid-18th century. On display are masonry fragments from the 11th century, an almost entirely preserved floor plan or foundation, and frescoes from the late 11th century. Alongside nature experiences, the region also offers specific topics in architectural history to explore.
Discover more destinations: Drykollie, Perevoz, Polazk, Rasony, Kryvoje 2, Miory, Werchnjadswinsk, Lisna
Return to the broader travel overview: Vitebsk Region.
