A bike tour around the Masuria Lake District in Poland is a mixture of pure nature and tourist features as well. Make a bike tour that shows you the magic of this beautiful part of North-Eastern Europe. This area is famous for its large number of lakes. The landscape is hilly and full of forests. Masuria and the Masuria Lake District are known in Polish as Kraina Tysizca Jezior and "land of a thousand lakes." These lakes were ground out of the land by glaciers during the Pleistocene ice age, when ice covered northeastern Europe. From that period originates the horn of a reindeer found in the vicinity of Gizycko. By 10,000 BC this ice started to melt. Great geological changes took place and even in the last 500 years the maps showing the lagoons and peninsulas on the Baltic Sea have greatly altered in appearance. As in other parts of northern Poland, such as from Pomerania on the Oder River to the Vistula River, this continuous stretch of lakes is popular among tourists.
Day 1: Arrival in Gizycko
Your tour starts and ends in Gizycko, the “capital” of Masuria.
Day 2: Gizycko > Goldap, ~65 km
Your first cycle tour leads you through forests in north-east direction. You have the possibility to see the largest European mammalian, the European bison. Your final destination is Goldap, where you stay for the night.
Day 3: Around Stańczyki, ~60 km
Today you can explore the famous viaducts in Stańczyki, which has been built in 1926. They were part of a railway line that used to be in the north of it. Your route passes close to the picturesque Rominter Heath. This used to be the hunting grounds of Emperor Wilhelm II.
Day 4: Stańczyki > Wegorzewo, ~60 km
After breakfast you traverse huge forests and beautiful villages. Near the village Rapa you can visit the amazing tomb of the Prussian noble family Fahrenheid, which is built as a pyramid.
Day 5: Wegorzewo > Ketrzyn, ~60 km
Start the day with an excursion to Sztynort, where you can visit the Palace of the Lehndorff family. The current palace was built by Marie Eleonore von Lehndorff born as von Dönhoff after an older building had been destroyed by Polish Tatars in the Second Northern War in 1656. Later you visit the “Wolfsschanze” (former headquarters in East Prussia) where the bomb attack of a resistance group of German officers failed on the 20th of July 1944.
Day 6: Ketrzyn > Mragowo, ~52 km
Today you cycle to Reszel, with its castle. From the tower you have an amazing view over the town. Next stop is the town Swieta Lipka. It is a famous place of pilgrimage. On this round trip you visit the famous baroque church of Swieta Lipka where you can listen to a short organ concert. The following bike tour leads you through a landscape full of lakes and picturesque villages towards Mragowo.
Day 7: Mragowo > Krutyn, ~32 km
You cycle through the "Masuria Country Park" to Krutyn. You will see deer and … canoes!
Day 8: Canoe tour in Krutyn, ~11 km by canoe
A round trip leads you through beautiful nature reserves and to Krutynia River. Here awaits you a special experience: a canoe tour on the crystal clear water (no further knowledge necessary) of one of the most beautiful rivers in Masuria. In the afternoon you should have a walk to the village Galkowo with its nice buildings and a wooden castle.
Day 9: Krutyn > Mikolajki, ~50 km
Today you will leave Krutyn towards Wojnowo. Visit the cloister! With some luck you will also see wild horses (tarpans). From there you continue on your bikes to Mikolajki - the water sports center of Masuria.
Day 10: Masuria Lakes, ~15 km by bike and 3hrs on the boat
Delight yourself on the great boat trip through the lakes of Masuria!
Day 11: Departure or extra nights
You depart from Gizycko.
