Mrągowo (0.0 km) · Popowo Salęckie (4.3 km) · Szestno (8.0 km) · Kiersztanowo (12.0 km) · Polska Wieś (16.1 km) · Mrągowo (20.0 km)
This scenic trail runs through Mrągowo and the northern outskirts of the town. It is recommended for short family outings. It’s worth stopping in Szestno to see the impressive Gothic church and the ruins of the only castle in the current Mrągowo County. If young cyclists are joining the trip, it’s also worth planning a break in Polska Wieś, where you can visit a mini-zoo.
The route offers picturesque views of Lake Juno, a typical trough lake. This narrow body of water is over 6 km long, with an average depth of 11 m and a maximum depth of up to 33 m. The lake’s shores are steep, and its shoreline is varied. Juno is one of the lakes that make up the Great Mrągowo Trough; the others are: Wągiel, Wierzbowskie, Czos, Kiersztanowskie, and Dejnowa. Together with the Dajna River connecting them, they form an interesting kayaking route leading from Piecki to Święta Lipka.
The trail begins in Mrągowo at the small bridge over the Dajna River, near Ekomarina. Before reaching Ekomarina, turn left and follow the path along the sports fields to Jaszczurcza Góra Street. If you continue straight ahead, you’ll reach the amphitheater. There’s an observation deck next to the amphitheater.
Once on Jaszczurcza Góra Street, turn left; you’ll pass a campground on your right. Then turn right and walk your bike across Giżycka Street. Continue along the bike path on the former narrow-gauge railway embankment toward the Mrongoville Western Town; pass it, go under the overpass, reach the paved road, and turn right (the route to Popowo Salęckie coincides with the Masurian Bike Loop).
At the intersection with the road leading to Młynów, we turn right, and after a few meters, we turn left and enter a gravel road. We are once again on the former narrow-gauge railroad embankment. We continue along the embankment, passing an intersection. In the distance on the left, we can see Popowo Salęckie. We reach a point where dirt roads intersect and turn left toward the village.
We reach an intersection with an asphalt road. If we veer off the route onto the asphalt road heading east, we’ll reach a beach with a pier on Lake Salęt. This is a particularly charming spot because the lake is bisected by a causeway that was once crossed by the narrow-gauge railway.
We return to the intersection in Popowo Salęckie, turn right toward the north, and continue along the cobblestone road uphill. On the left, we pass a rural Evangelical cemetery situated at the foot of a wooded hill. At the intersection of dirt roads, we turn left (the gravel surface here is uneven for a short stretch).
Then, follow the concrete-slab road toward the church in Szestno, visible in the distance. We pass a residential neighborhood on the right, reach Provincial Road No. 591, and turn right. As we head downhill past the restaurant on the left side of the road, we’ll reach the ruins of a Teutonic castle. It was built in the 14th century at a bend in the Muntówka River. The castle’s history is described on information panels placed next to the remaining walls. Another historic site in Szestno worth seeing is the Gothic Church of the Holy Cross. We pass it on the right side of the road.
Before the intersection with the road to Wyszembork, we must turn left onto the street running between the apartment buildings. The approximately 1.3-kilometer stretch leading to the road toward Święta Lipka unfortunately has a poor surface and, in places, resembles a dirt road.
Once we reach the paved road, we turn right, then turn off onto a dirt road heading toward Kiersztanów. Along this stretch, we can admire picturesque views of Lake Juno and landscapes that are exceptionally hilly—even by Masurian standards.
We arrive in Kiersztanów. It is a small village, beautifully situated between two trough lakes—Juno and Kiersztanowskie—which are connected by the Dajna River. Across from the intersection, on private property, you can see a mound about 3 meters high, surrounded by trees. It is likely a remnant from the pagan Prussians. However, it is not known what purpose the mound served.
We turn left and cross the bridge over the Dajna River. Before the bridge, there is a store on the left, while on the right stands a monument commemorating the founding of the village. We reach the intersection in the center of the village; the trail leads us to the left. At the fork in the road, we turn left again, heading south, parallel to the shore of Lake Juno visible on the left. Along the way, we pass a large granite cross, erected by a parent after the death of a child.
We approach the forest. We reach a fork in the road, where we turn left onto a gravel uphill path. On this stretch, the road runs along the high shore of the lake, offering stunning views of the moraine hills.
We reach the road leading to Polska Wieś. Continuing through the fields, we see a strip of forest on the left that covers the steep slopes of the so-called Polish Gorge. It is a very picturesque place, worth a stroll, although getting there can be difficult, as the gorge is surrounded by farmland. It’s best to visit in winter or early spring, when the vegetation isn’t tall. In summer, this can be difficult.
The gorge is about 600 m long and about 30–40 m deep. Its unique features include lush and distinctive flora and the terrain’s topography. The gorge’s walls are steep, and in many places it is impossible to climb them. Its name comes from the nearby village of Polska Wieś.
We reach the paved road in Polska Wieś. The trail continues straight ahead and then turns left. If we’re accompanied by young cyclists, we can veer slightly off the route to the right, toward a mini-zoo where we’ll see many species of animals, mostly domestic ones. You can feed and pet them, as they’re tame.
We return to the trail. At the end of the village, at a bend, there’s a lookout point on the left offering another magnificent panorama of Lake Juno, with the massive church tower in Szestno in the background. It’s worth stopping here for a moment to take some souvenir photos.
The final stretch leads back to Mrągowo, straight ahead on an asphalt road. On the right, we pass the municipal cemetery, head downhill, and then follow the pedestrian and bike path along Młodkowskiego Street. We cross National Road No. 59 and reach the intersection next to the gas station. We walk our bikes across the road.
This is where Królewiecka Street begins. It was once a prestigious thoroughfare, though its buildings were unfortunately partially destroyed during World War II. On the right, we see an imposing neo-Gothic courthouse, and across from it, on the other side of Królewiecka Street, stands the seat of the city, municipal, and county authorities. This imposing structure was built in 1912. Architecturally, it draws on the so-called Wilhelmine style. It was intended to demonstrate the strength and power of Germany at that time. In front of the building stands a monument to Krzysztof Celestyn Mrongowiusz.
We complete the loop by riding along the shore of Lake Czos toward Ekomarina.
The trail is marked in green. Due to the longer sections of gravel surface, it’s best to tackle this route on a touring or hybrid bike.
There is no direct train access to the route. The nearest train station is in Kętrzyn, about 25 km from Mrągowo. Some regional trains from Olsztyn to Ełk run through this area. National Road No. 16 (through Olsztyn and Ełk to the Lithuanian border) and National Road No. 59 (leading southwest from Giżycko) intersect in Mrągowo.
Visitors arriving by car can use the parking lot on Giżycka Street.
Mrągowo
A county seat with a population of approximately 20,000, situated on Lakes Czos and Juno. Due to its location and its rich and diverse range of lodging options (approximately 3,000 beds), it is one of the most important tourist centers in Masuria and, at the same time, an ideal base for exploring the region.
Mrągowo is also one of the oldest towns in Masuria. It received its town charter in the early 15th century and was not destroyed during World War II. Thanks to its well-preserved original architecture—unique in the region—visitors to Mrągowo can still experience the atmosphere of a former East Prussian town.
The current Kajki Square, formerly the Great Market Square, was laid out after the fire of 1822. Adjacent to it is the Small Market Square, which dates back to the town’s founding. The medieval street layout of the Old Town has also been preserved to this day, lined with historic townhouses in the Neo-Gothic, Art Nouveau, and Neoclassical styles.
Among Mrągowo’s main landmarks is one of the oldest town halls in Masuria, dating from 1824, which currently houses a branch of the Museum of Warmia and Masuria. The oldest building in the city, however, is the Bosnian Watchtower (which also features a museum exhibition), first mentioned as early as 1771. Among the three historic places of worship are: an Orthodox church, a building originally used as a synagogue dating from 1895, an 18th-century Evangelical church, and the neo-Gothic Catholic Church of St. Adalbert from 1860.
In Sikorski Park, the Bismarck Tower from 1906 is worth seeing. It is 23 meters tall and is the best-preserved of all such structures in the Warmian-Masurian Voivodeship commemorating Otto von Bismarck, known as the “Iron Chancellor.” Not far from it is a World War I cemetery, and on Wojska Polskiego Street stands a complex of historic military barracks.
Mrągowo is famous for hosting numerous festivals. The best known include: the Country Picnic, the Masurian Cabaret Night, the Wedding Hits Festival, and the Borderland Culture Festival. Major cultural and sporting events take place in the amphitheater, beautifully situated on Lake Czos. Its stage is covered, and the auditorium is one of the largest in Poland, with 5,280 seats. A wall featuring a growing collection of autographs from artists who have performed on the amphitheater’s stage catches the eye. There is a publicly accessible observation deck next to the venue.
The amphitheater is located in the city’s tourist and recreational district. Nearby are the city beach and Ekomarina—a small sailing marina with a paved waterfront, a floating pier with gangways and mooring lines, and a boat ramp. The complex also features restrooms with showers, sports fields, a playground, and a food service area. The longest promenade in Masuria, stretching over 5 km, runs along the shore of Lake Czos.
Military enthusiasts will be intrigued by the Museum of Military Equipment, which houses the largest collection of operational military vehicles in northeastern Poland, comprising approximately 70 exhibits. The highlights of the collection are the tracked vehicles, including a perfectly preserved, legendary T-34 tank.
Marcinkowo
In Marcinkowo, located just 2 km west of Mrągowo, you’ll find the themed Show Gardens. This flower-filled spot is perfect for relaxation, brimming with colors and scents. It features 14 distinct areas showcasing various garden styles, including Mediterranean, rock, rural, and Japanese. A butterfly aviary has been set up near the gardens. During the summer season, it provides a refuge for native butterfly species. Nearby is the Regional Museum, where you can learn about Masurian traditions.
Szestno
This is a large village (by Masurian standards) in the municipality of Mrągowo, with a population of about 600. Interestingly, from the mid-18th century until 1818, it served as the county seat. It is one of the oldest settlements in the southern part of Masuria. It was founded in the 14th century. Notable historical sites include the local church and the ruins of a Teutonic castle.
The Church of the Holy Cross is one of the oldest and most beautiful Gothic churches in the region. The first brick structure was built in the 15th century, but it was destroyed in a fire in 1618. It was rebuilt in 1639. Of particular note is the massive, fortified tower built of fieldstones and bricks, topped with a Jerusalem cross. In its upper section, on the south side, architectural details in the Romanesque style—unique to this area—catch the eye. The tower is the oldest part of the church. The starosts of Szesztno were likely buried beneath its floor. The church’s original furnishings date from the 16th and 17th centuries. Among its oldest elements are the sculptures on the main altar, likely from the 15th century. The beautiful polychrome decoration of the wooden ceiling is particularly striking. Until 1980, the church belonged to a Lutheran parish; today it is Catholic.
Across the street, the remains of a Teutonic Knights’ castle, built in the 14th century on a bend in the river, have been preserved. It was the only castle in what is now Mrągowo County. Originally, it served a defensive purpose; later, it was used for economic purposes. From the 16th to the 18th centuries, it served as the seat of the starosty. By the early 19th century, the structure was in terrible condition, so it was decided to demolish it. Information plaques have been placed next to the remains of the walls.
On the site of the former outer bailey stands a 19th-century Neoclassical manor house, adjacent to a park. Since the Middle Ages, the buildings of the outer bailey served an economic function. In the past, they housed warehouses and craft workshops. Before World War II, a distillery, a watermill, and a mushroom farm operated on the estate’s lands. In 1945, the manor house was looted by the Russians. It is currently privately owned.
Next to the castle ruins is the Staropolska restaurant. It’s worth checking out their interesting menu—the restaurant serves escargots à la bourguignonne, a dish well-known in the area. It is the favorite restaurant of journalist Marcin Meller, whose home is located nearby.
The Narrow-Gauge Railway in Mrągowo County
A section of the route near Popowo Salęckie follows the embankment of a former narrow-gauge railway. In 1898, its first section—Kętrzyn–Sławkowo–Mrągowo—and the Sławkowo–Salpik–Ryn branch line were put into service. Thanks to the railroad, not only did passenger traffic grow, but trade between the towns in the area also flourished. The narrow-gauge railway station in Mrągowo was located on Młodkowskiego Street (near the current gas station). The trip by “little train” from Mrągowo to Kętrzyn took a long time, as the average speed was 25–30 km/h. The railway ceased operations on this section in the late 1960s, and the tracks were dismantled.
