Nikolaiken in the Masuria Lake District, Poland. Photo courtesy of DNV Tours.

Traditional pierogies in Mikolajki, Masuria, Poland. Photo via Flickr:Lee Fenner

Poland’s Lake District

Poland Bike + Barge Tours

A bike and boat tour in Masuria, Poland

A bike and boat tour in Poland? You asked, we searched, and are now proud to announce a brand new bike and boat tour in Masuria, the lake district of northeastern Poland. You will pedal through a land of native forests and wide heather plains dotted with storks, villages, and farms, an area of simple, natural beauty with more than 2,000 lakes, connected by countless canals and rivers. This region was selected as one of 28 finalists of the New 7 Wonders of Nature!

Highlights:

  • Natural landscape of the Lake District
  • Baerenwinkel viewpoint
  • Historical sites such as Wolf's Lair
  • Boat tour at the Kruttinna
  • Boyen Fortress in Gizycko
  • Castle of Ryn

Tripsite has explored this brand new bike and boat adventure the end of August and has returned with first-hand information regarding the boat and the routes. This is a tour for those who love the water and the lakeside atmosphere and experience. It is a prime destination for nature and active enthusiasts and for history lovers. Stay tuned for Mary's blog and photos.

We have one other bike and boat tour in Poland. Check it out.

Skill Level

This tour is rated easy to moderate with terrain that varies from flat to hilly with a few major climbs. The roads are mostly paved, quiet country roads but you will also cycle on some sandy forest and meadow paths. There is very minimal cycling on roads with traffic. Daily stages are from 25 to 54 km with total cycling distance of 260 km.

Where You’ll Stay

Accommodation on the "MS CLASSIC LADY, a riverboat with 20 cabins

What’s Included

  • 7 nights accommodations in en suite cabins on the MS Classic Lady
  • Breakfasts and dinner
  • Airport transfers to and from the boat
  • Bed linens and towels
  • Harbor, bridge and port fees
  • Tour guide

What’s Not Included

  • Rental bike, 7 gears unisex bike with back pedal brake equipped with one pannier (cost is to be paid directly on board)
  • Lunches
  • All beverages

TourBike+Boat
TypeSelf Guided
SkillModerate
Length8 days
From€815 Rates
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Tour Dates

July 22 and Aug 5, 2017

Tour Boats

Day-To-Day Itinerary

Day 1: Arrival in Piaski, Masuria Lake District
Day 2: Bärenwinkel - Johannisburg (Pisz), 28 mi. (45 km)
Day 3: Rhein (Ryn) - Wolf's Lair, 31 mi. (50 km)
Day 4: Lötzen (Gizycko) - Lake Goldapgar, 34 mi. (54 km)
Day 5: Rhein (Ryn) - Zondern - Nikolaiken, 26 mi. (42 km)
Day 6: Nikolaiken - Popiellnen - Piaski, 16 mi. (25 km)
Day 7: Eckertstorf - Kruttinnen - Piaski,  27 mi. (43 km)
Day 8: Individual departure or extension

All distances are approximate. Depending on water levels in the canals, for example, during extended periods of dry weather, the route can be subject to change. However, the characteristics of the tour remain unchanged. Depending on weather and conditions, daily routes may be altered.

Day 1:  Masuria
Your accommodations for your adventure, the MS Classic Lady, awaits in Piaski, Mazuria in a camp-like setting in the woods. It is a lovely spot for swimming or exploring the lake by canoe. During this first day, you will receive personal tour information and if time permits, hand over of the rental bikes. If this does not occur on the first day, you will receive your bikes the morning of the second day.

Day 2: Bärenwinkel - Johannisburg (Pisz) by bike, Wejsuny - Nikolaiken, by boat, 28 mi. (45 km)
Your cycling adventure begins, leading eastward across Wejsuny, an old East Prussian village, Viewpoint on Lake Spirdingsee, providing a beautiful panorama of the passing sailboats and Devil Island. According to legend, evil spirits still live there. Frederick the Great once built a fortress on the island and today, a few ruins remain. As you cycle, you will pass through Pisz,  located at the junction of Lake Roś and the Pisa River, with its gothic town hall and market place. Perhaps you would like to take the time to visit the museum in Pisz which houses  a rich collection of fauna and flora from the surrounding area and archeological, ethnographic and historical souvenirs.  You can also have an opportunity for swimming! Continuing on, the boat awaits in Wejsuny and will upon boarding, navigate to Nikolaiken.

Day 3: Rhein (Ryn) - Wilkasy,  31 mi. (50 km)
In the morning, the boat takes you to Rhein (Ryn). From here you bike to Wolf's Lair, where you can see the remains of Hitler's military headquarters during World War II. A side trip (adds about 17 km) to Rastenburg (Ketrzyn) with its castle and fortified church is recommended. Finally, you pass meadows, fields, and lonely hamlets until you reach Wilkasy where the MS CLASSIC LADY awaits you.

Day 4: Loop ride, Wilkasy - Lötzen (Gizycko) - Lake Goldapgar - Wilkasy, 34 mi. (54 km)
Lötzen is the water sports center of Masuria. The  Boyen Fortress and the church, which was built using the plans of the court architect Schinkel, are worth a visit. The fortress successfully withstood Russian attacks during WWI. In WWII, it was a defensive outpost of Wolf’s Lair and was relinquished to the  Red Army without a fight during the 1945 offensive. The biking itinerary leads via Lötzen to Lake Goldapgar and follows the shores via Possessern back to  Wilkasy .

Day 5: Rhein (Ryn) - Zondern - Nikolaiken, 26 mi. (42 km)
Today your day starts with a scenic cruise on the beautiful five-lakes-route to Szymonka.The first part of the bike tour goes to Rhein and its 14th-century castle. You continue to Zondern and along  Lake Talty, where you have an amazing view across the Lakes District. Finally, you return to the MS CLASSIC LADY in Nikolaiken and will overnight here.

Day 6: Nikolaiken - Popiellnen - Piaski, 16 mi. (25 km)
Today you can take an extra trip to the swan habitat on Lake Lucknaier (adds about 10 km). Otherwise, you have time for a stroll through Nikolaiken before taking the ferry to Spirding (Wierzba), where you visit Popiellnen (breeding station for the primeval Tarpan horse). Afterwards, you cycle through Weissuhnen, where you can visit the beautiful church and through Ruciane Nida back to Piaski. (Alternative you cycle to Lake Niedersee (Ruciane Nida), before returning to the idyllic bay of Piaski).

Day 7: Loop ride, Piaski - Eckertstorf - Kruttinnen - Piaski,  27 mi. (43 km)
Today you cycle to Kruttinen via Eckertstorf (Wojnow) with its Russian Orthodox Old Believer Philipponen convent. In Kruttinen a short boat trip on the Kruttina Stream is recommended! Via Galkowo you cycle back to Piaski and join the MS Classic Lady for the last night on board.

Day 8: Individual departure or extension
Transfer to Warsaw (included in package price) and individual departure or continued stay in Warsaw or the Masurian Lakes District. 

Perhaps you are looking for other bike and barge tours, or view our full list of bike trips.

Email or Call 800-951-4384 +1 570-965-2064

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Poland’s Lake District Boats + Barges

MS Classic Lady Photo

MS Classic Lady Poland Comfort Class Boat MS Classic Lady was built in 2003 especially for bike and boat tours in the Masuria Lake District.

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Email or Call 800-951-4384
+1 570-965-2064

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