The town sprawls over several kilometres on both banks, linked by a bridge and by small ferry boats, so a car or taxi is needed. The highway creeks are passed on the way from Georgetown.
1 Mackenzie, Wismar and the bauxite works
The old plant with its chimneys and conveyors dominates the east bank, with the planned company town of Mackenzie around it — managers’ houses on the hill, workers’ streets below. Wismar, across the bridge, is older and livelier, with a market and riverside wharves.
Practical: Viewed from the road and the river bridge. Allow an hour by car.
2 Linden Museum of Socio-Cultural Heritage
A small local museum in Mackenzie telling the story of mining, the river and the communities that came to work here from all over the Caribbean.
Practical: Small charge or donation. Opening hours are limited — check before you go.
3 The blue lakes
Worked-out bauxite pits that have filled with rainwater turn an intense turquoise against white sand and green forest. Several lie around the town; the colour is strongest under a midday sun.
Practical: Go with a local driver who knows the access tracks. Do not climb down the banks.
4 Christianburg waterwheel
A large iron waterwheel installed in the mid-19th century to power a sawmill, standing in a small park on the west bank. It is the most visible relic of Linden’s timber days before bauxite.
Practical: Free. A brief stop.
5 Rockstone and Gluck Island
About 30 km west of Linden by a sandy road, Rockstone is a fishing community on the Essequibo. Boats cross to Gluck Island, where ponds of Victoria amazonica, macaws, monkeys and occasionally giant otters are seen. The village hosts a fish festival each October.
Practical: Half a day to a full day from Linden; arrange boats ahead.
6 The road south
Beyond Linden the highway gives way to a wide laterite road through logging country to Mabura Hill and on to Kurupukari, where the Essequibo is crossed into the Iwokrama forest. Sections have been upgraded in recent years. Even a short drive gives a sense of the scale of the forest.
Practical: Do not drive far without a 4x4, fuel and local advice.
7 The highway creeks
The Soesdyke–Linden Highway crosses a string of creeks stained dark by forest leaves, running over white sand. Simple resorts and picnic spots offer swimming, benabs for shade and food at weekends; some have cabins.
Practical: Small entry fees. Busy on Sundays and holidays, quiet midweek.
Guided tours: Linden & the Highway
Multi-day tour from €1767 Guyana to Brazil: 10-Day Overland Tour with Accommodation
A ten-day package starting in Georgetown and travelling overland to Brazil, with accommodation included. Read the day-by-day programme on the listing carefully to see exactly what is covered before you commit.
