The Nioman river below the castles is one of Hrodna's best features and one of the least-written-about. The path along the high right bank gives a continuous view of the river valley and the Kalozha Church below, with the castle bluff rising above. In summer the banks attract local walkers, cyclists, and families; in winter the frozen river and snow-covered slopes have a stark, unpretentious beauty.
The walk from the castles down to the Kalozha Church and along the riverbank takes about 30 minutes at a leisurely pace. The old bridge across the river and the industrial-era buildings on the lower bank are less picturesque, but the overall setting — a real river running through a city that retains its historic character — is one of the things that sets Hrodna apart from most other Belarusian cities.