Szczycieński: Lakes, forests and river landscapes

Powiat Szczycieński offers several different starting points for planning a trip: the lakes in the centre of Szczytno, the city’s historic landmarks, and forests, cycling routes and river landscapes across the district. If you are looking for a hotel in Szczycieński, you can first decide whether Szczytno and its lakes or the district’s landscapes and routes will shape your stay. The following examples range from an urban lakeside area to routes that pass through several municipalities or cross the district boundary.

Lakes and city history in Szczytno

The lakes Domowe Duże and Domowe Małe are in the centre of Szczytno. Domowe Duże, also called Długie, covers 51 hectares and is connected to Domowe Małe. There is a city beach on the larger of the two lakes. These named lakes give Szczytno a clear connection to the water and provide a specific starting point for distinguishing the city’s attractions from the landscapes of the district.

Another point of interest is the permanently preserved ruins of the Teutonic Order castle in Szczytno. There are multimedia devices that visitors can operate themselves to access information about the city, the castle and the region. The content therefore connects the castle with topics related to the city and its wider surroundings. Alongside the lakes, this offers a second perspective on Szczytno: its history and its place in the region.

Forests in the district: seasonal perspectives

The forests of Powiat Szczycieński are associated with different seasons and activities. In summer, there are shady areas and access to woodland waters. In autumn, the forests attract mushroom pickers from across the country; in winter, they become cross-country ski trails. The change from autumn mushroom picking to winter cross-country skiing makes the season particularly relevant when planning a forest-focused trip.

Hikers in the district can find forest educational trails managed by the Szczytno, Korpele, Jedwabno and Spychowo forest districts; check locally to confirm availability. The forests also have hundreds of kilometres of prepared trails.

Cycling and kayaking routes: course and difficulty

For cycling, the Szczytno–Dźwierzuty–Biskupiec section is a useful reference point: it is about 42 kilometres long, paved and extends beyond the district boundary. The cycling route “Rowerem po kolei” has a different defining feature: within the district, it follows the former railway line No. 262. When planning your rides, the approximate length and paved surface are relevant for the first section, while “Rowerem po kolei” follows the former railway line within the district. Check route conditions before setting out on a cycling trip.

For the kayaking route on the Omulew, its course is key: it begins at Lake Omulew in the municipality of Nidzica, passes through the municipality of Jedwabno, and then crosses the boundary into the municipality of Wielbark. The starting point is outside the district; from there, the described route passes through several municipalities and crosses the district boundary. By contrast, the kayaking route on the Sawica is mainly characterised by its reputation as a difficult route. Obstacles along the river include, in particular, fallen trees, stronger currents and numerous bends. As actual water conditions can vary, check them before your trip.

Rivers and lakes as landscape features

The first calm stretches of the Krutynia wind along the eastern edge of Powiat Szczycieński, including near Spychowo. Another notable landscape feature is Sasek Wielki, the district’s largest lake: it has an elongated, trough-like shape and is surrounded by wooded hills. At the regional level, these offer two distinct waterscapes side by side—the calm stretches of the Krutynia and Sasek Wielki, framed by hills.

Discover more destinations

Discover more destinations: Bialy Grunt, Jerutki, Kobylocha, Marksewo, Orzyny, Pasym, Piasutno, Pidun, Powalczyn, Rudka, Saplaty, Warchaly, Spychowo, Racibórz, Malszewo, Szczytno, Dzwierzuty, Rumy, Świętajno, Trelkówko, Lipowa Góra Wschodnia, Narty, Niedźwiedzie, Zabiele, Lipowiec, Sedansk, Jedwabno, Piece, Występ, Rudziska Pasymskie, Rańsk, Wielbark, Krzywonoga, Dybowo, Rozogi.

For the overview of the wider region: Warmia-Masuria.