A Visit to the Indians – The Northern Outskirts of Giżycko

Giżycko (0.0 km) • Sulimy (3.0 km) • Spytkowo (7.5 km) • Indian Village in Spytkowo (9.0 km) • Pieczarki (11.5 km) • Świdry (13.3 km) • Antonowo (17.7 km) • Giżycko (21.0 km)

The trail begins next to the Giżycko Tourist Information Center at 2 Zajączka Street. From here, head toward the Evangelical-Augsburg Church, built in 1827. The building was designed by the renowned Berlin architect Karl Friedrich Schinkel. Next, we ride along Warszawska Street toward the water tower visible on the right. Along the way, at 19 Warszawska Street, we see a plaque embedded in the wall commemorating Wojciech Kętrzyński, who was born here in 1836. From the water tower, we continue straight ahead on Suwalska Street until we reach Sulim. As we pass through this village, we continue straight ahead. Then we turn left onto a gravel road that leads to Spytkowo. In this village, it’s worth taking a detour to visit the Indian Village.

After crossing National Road 63, continue on the gravel road to Pieczarki. We reach a paved bike path and turn left. Through Świdry, we reach the outskirts of Giżycko. We turn right, then follow the bike path along Sympatyczna Street toward Antonowo. This is a neighborhood of Giżycko consisting of single-family homes. Finally, we turn left onto Serdeczna Street, which leads back to the city center. The entire route is marked in yellow and has a very comfortable surface—mostly paved within the city and gravel in the countryside. Part of the route runs along dedicated bike paths. The trail winds through gently rolling terrain, with no steep descents or ascents. Regional trains running between Olsztyn and Ełk pass through Giżycko. There are also several long-distance connections.

Water Tower
Water Tower, 37 Warszawska St., 11-500 Giżycko, tel. 87 428 51 70, 503 091 955, www.wiezagizycko.pl. Built in 1900, it is constructed entirely of red brick. It is 25 m high, and its top floor reaches 162 m above sea level. At the top, there is a café and an observation deck offering a panoramic view of Giżycko and the surrounding area. To reach the top, you must climb 129 steps. You can also take the elevator. The rest of the tower houses a local museum. The exhibition features documents, photographs, and small artifacts that illustrate the daily lives of people living in the area over the years.

City Beach
A public, sandy, wide city beach at ul. Nadbrzeżna, 11-500 Giżycko, tel. 87 429 27 53, www.mosirgizycko.pl, is located near the city center, on Lake Niegocin. For active visitors, there are two sand courts and one grass court for volleyball, as well as basketball courts and two 5-a-side soccer fields. In the summer, concerts and other cultural events take place on a small stage. Nearby is the port of Żegluga Mazurska, from where you can set sail on a passenger boat.

The Indian Village in Spytkowo
The one-of-a-kind Indian Village at Spytkowo 48, 11-500 Giżycko, tel. 502 448 504, poczta@muzeumindian.pl, www.muzeumindian.pl is an example of a living museum. Here, you can not only view Poland’s largest private collection of exhibits related to North American Indians—including costumes, handicrafts, and weapons—but also participate in soap-making, herbalism, and bread-baking workshops.