Masuria: bike & boat, individual tour

Masuria by bike and boat

Look forward to the unique landscape in Masuria, to evidence of centuries-old culture, presented by old fortifications from the time of the order and imposing mansions. You will discover idyllic wooden houses, picturesque harbor towns and pure nature! Explore nature reserves by bike, where beavers and storks live. Take time to visit a colorful farmer's market and enjoy a swim in the crystal clear lakes. After an eventful cycling stage, you can enjoy the evening atmosphere of the water landscape from the box seat on board the ship. And if you would like to experience a day without a bike, just stay on deck and enjoy the beauty of the landscape from there.

MS Classic Lady

The MS CLASSIC LADY is a cozy and comfortable passenger ship that started operations in 2003 and has been cruising on the Masurian Lake District between Loetzen and Niedersee ever since. In the light-flooded panorama restaurant you can enjoy culinary delights and on the sun deck you can enjoy the calming atmosphere of Masuria's water landscape. The outside cabins of the MS CLASSIC LADY have double beds or single beds next to each other or separately, folding table, wardrobe, safe and a private sanitary area with shower/toilet and 220 volt power connections. There are 4 double cabins (windows can be fully opened) on the upper deck and 16 double cabins (windows can be opened one-third) on the main deck. Linen, hair dryer and towels are provided. There is a family atmosphere on board.

1. day Arrival to Nikolaiken

Please plan your arrival so that you are at Frederic Chopin Airport in the Arrivals Hall Terminal 1 at 3:00 p.m. or at Warszawa Centralna Main Station in the main hall at 4:00 p.m. You will be received there by the tour guide and taken to the transfer bus to Nikolaiken. Paid parking spaces (reservation required, payable locally) are available in Masuria for those arriving by car.

2. day Nikolaiken - Lucknainer See - Nikolaiken approx. 20 km

After breakfast, the tour will be discussed and the bikes will be handed out. In the morning you will explore Nikolaiken, a beautiful small town and popular holiday resort. From the market square you have a great view of Nikolaiken's heraldic animal, the legendary "smelt stallion", which lies chained in the water under a bridge. In the afternoon we go to Lake Lucknain, which is located in the Masurian Biosphere Reserve. The small lake is a breeding ground for many rare waterfowl and large flocks of mute swans. Enjoy the view of this bird paradise in an untouched natural landscape from a vantage point.

3. day Nikolaiken - Poiellno - Wejsuny - Kamien - Nikolaiken approx. 35 km

In the morning, take a short bike ride to the Wierzba ferry station and continue cycling on the other side. You will visit a biological station in nearby Popiellnen, which was set up to breed the primeval Tarpan horse back. The animals are released into the wild on the surrounding peninsula, so that with a bit of luck you can spot a small herd in the sparse forests. Continue to Kamien via Wejsuny [Weissuhnen], an old East Prussian village with a pretty church in the style of the order and beautiful old wooden houses. Past the Guzianka lock, continue the cycle tour around the Beldahnsee to Kamien, where the MS CLASSIC LADY is already waiting for you. A boat trip to Nikolaiken completes the day.

4. day Nikolaiken - Ryn - Wolfsschanze - Wilkasy approx. 50 km

The day begins with a boat trip towards the Rhine [Ryn]. You then cycle to the former sheep farm and on to the Wolfsschanze, where the remains of the former Führer headquarters are located. During a guided tour you will see e.g. the memorial stone commemorating Graf von Stauffenberg and the resistance fighters of July 20, 1944. An individual detour (plus 17 km) to Rastenburg [Ketrzyn] is possible. Worth seeing are the Ordensburg and the fortified church of St. Georg. Through meadows, fields and lonely villages you will go to Wilkasy, where the MS CLASSIC LADY will be waiting for you again.

5. day Wilkasy - Lötzen - Goldapgar Lake - Wilkasy approx. 54 km

The bike tour starts in the morning and leads via Loetzen [Gizycko] to Lake Goldapgar. First you take a tour of Lötzen, the water sports center of Masuria and you will see a hand-operated swing bridge. This is still in operation and represents a rare technical monument. We continue to the church, which was built according to the plans of the court architect Schinkel, in which German-speaking services are now held again. At Lötzen, visit the Boyen Fortress from the mid-19th century, which was built on an area of ​​100 hectares between Löwentinsee and Mauersee. The journey continues to Lake Goldapgar, then around the lake and via Possessern to Wilkasy back to the ship.

6. day Wilkasy - Ryn - Zonder - Nikolaiken approx. 42 km

Today begins with an atmospheric boat trip on the beautiful "Five Lakes Route" to Szymonka. The first stop on the bike tour is Ryn with its 14th-century monastery, which today houses a hotel. The castle was redesigned in the baroque style and for a time served as a prison. In the courtyard you can see a glass-covered knight's grave with grave goods. The tour then continues to Zonder. In a 200-year-old farmhouse, the Dickti family has set up a local museum with many old household appliances, typical Masurian furniture and a barn with old agricultural equipment and machines. After visiting the museum, the path leads along the Talter waters to Nikolaiken and the landing stage of the MS CLASSIC LADY.

7. day Nikolaiken - Eckertsdorf - Kruttinnen - Nikolaiken approx. 43 km

After a short boat trip, the cycling stage begins in Kamien and leads via Eckertsdorf to Kruttinnen. In Eckertsdorf [Wojnowo] lies the Russian-Orthodox monastery of the Philippons in the midst of a beautiful natural landscape. The so-called Old Believers settled here in 1825. Their houses and the wooden church with its golden onion dome refer to the Russian heritage of the religious refugees. The extensive forest area of ​​the Johannisburger Heide is traversed by a crystal-clear river that is rich in fish and crabs. The punting trip on the Kruttinna is considered the highlight of every trip to Masuria. Unwind while your boat glides almost silently through the crystal-clear water, which is teeming with fish. The starting point is the village of Kruttinnen, where you can also buy Masurian handicrafts, souvenirs and handicrafts. A stop at a restaurant with a terrace directly on the river, where freshly caught fish is served, is particularly attractive. Via Galkowo with the Gut Ferenstein riding stables and the forester's lodge, which today houses a nostalgic restaurant, the bike tour leads back to the Kamien jetty. Enjoy the trip across the Beldahnsee to Nikolaiken from your box seat on the sun deck.

8. day Departure from Warsaw

Transfer to Warsaw (arrival Warszawa Centralna approx. 11.45 a.m., arrival airport approx. 12.20 p.m.

Please note:

The captain must reserve the right to change the course of the route and the mooring points due to weather-related reasons and depending on the water level in the canals.

Worth knowing about the individual bike and boat trip in Masuria

Below you will find specific information about cycling in Masuria. If you have any further questions about this trip, just call us: Tel: 0049 - (0)6421 - 886890.

Arrival by car, plane or train

Arrival by car:
Arrival until 6 p.m. to the pier of the MS Classic Lady. On site there is a paid parking space for the duration of the trip (55.00 € payable locally)

Flight arrival:
By flight to Warsaw-Frederic Chopin, from where the bus transfer starts at 3:00 p.m. You will be picked up at the airport in the arrivals hall at the meeting point, exit 2. A DNV employee will be waiting for you from around 2:45 p.m. with a “Masuren-Transfer” sign. The shuttle runs via the main station "Warszawa Centralna" and via Warsaw's old town to Masuria. Arrive at the ship in Nikolaiken around 8:45 p.m. The bus transfer must be booked in advance.

Arrival by train:
By train to "Warszawa Centralna". You will be picked up at the main station in the ground-level main hall of the station from around 3:30 p.m. When the train arrives, please go up the stairs to the mezzanine floor and go up one floor again to the main hall. Our employee will be waiting for you In the area of ​​cash desks 1 + 2 with a sign "Masuren-Transfer". At 4:00 p.m., the transfer with the Masurian shuttle via Warsaw's old town to Masuria takes place. Arrival at the ship in Nikolaiken around 8:45 p.m. The Bus transfer must be booked in advance.

All information on transfer times is subject to change, as unforeseen traffic jams or obstructions can lead to delays.

Parking conditions

A parking space for the entire duration of the trip must be registered in advance.
Costs: € 55.00 per week / per parking space, payable on site.

Condition of the bike paths

The moderately difficult routes lead through mostly gently undulating to hilly terrain with a few major inclines on partly sandy field, forest and meadow paths, as well as on asphalt roads with little traffic. A little more traffic has to be expected on some shorter stages.

The tour, with a total length of around 260 km, requires a certain level of fitness and cycling experience with different trail conditions. Less experienced cyclists can also skip a section and stay on the ship.

Rental bike

There are unisex bikes with 7-speed gear hub, coaster brake and saddlebag or a limited number of 8-speed electric bikes are available by prior arrangement. The rental price of € 85.00 or € 175.00 is payable on site.

Private bikes

You are also welcome to bring your own bike on this trip. Please note that you can only take your own bike on the transfer bus from Warsaw to Masuria and back on request. Advance registration is essential, payment on site.

Meals

The day starts with a hearty breakfast buffet. In the evening you will find on board a typical menu or a rustic barbecue on land. Along the cycle route there are inexpensive lunch opportunities.

MS Classic Lady

Deck plan Classic Lady

Important instructions

The minimum number of participants is 15 people. If this is not achieved, the trip can be canceled up to four weeks before the start of the trip.

You need a valid identity card or passport for this trip. This trip is not wheelchair accessible.

Extra costs that are not included in the tour price

Arrival and departure to Warsaw, tips and personal expenses, travel insurance and parking on site. The costs for rental bikes and taking your own bike on the transfer bus from Warsaw to Masuria also have to be paid on site.
A fuel surcharge, which may apply due to the sharp rise in fuel prices, is not included in the cruise price and must be paid in cash on arrival on board the ship. We will inform you of the amount of the surcharge, if any, in the travel documents approx. 3-4 weeks before arrival.

7 days hotline service

If the bicycle chain is torn, floods make the onward journey impossible or other unpleasant surprises await you: we are available for you 7 days a week and we can help you as soon as possible.

Passport and visa requirements, health regulations

For EU citizens, there are no special passport or visa requirements and no health formalities to be considered for this trip.

Travel insurance

The tour price already includes the statutory insolvency insurance. In addition, we recommend that you take out travel cancellation insurance upon receipt of your travel confirmation in order to protect yourself against financial disadvantages in the event of travel cancellation, interruption of travel, illness or accident.

Mikolajki

Lying directly on the Great Masurian Lakes, the petite town of Mikolajki is a popular holiday and water sports resort, rightly dubbed “the Pearl of the Masuria”. Well-known as host to numerous summertime regattas, it attracts thousands of sailing enthusiasts every year. Another magnet for tourists and visitors is the annual Festival of Sailors’ Songs, featuring the finest performances of shanties.

Mikolajki

Wolf's Lair, Kętrzyn

In the forest between the lakes Siercze and Moj 9 km east of Ketrzyn is the complex of bunkers, which during World War II was the headquarters of the armed forces high command and Hitler’s headquarters. Commander of the Third Reich stayed here for over 900 days.

Wolf's Lair

Boyen Fortress, Gizycko

The Boyen Fortress was built between 1844 and 1856 to protect the kingdom’s border with Russia, and was named after the then Prussian minister of war, General Hermann von Boyen. Since the frontier ran north−south along the 90km string of lakes, the stronghold was strategically placed in the middle, on the isthmus near Giżycko, situated by the lake to the west of the town centre.

Boyen Fortress,  Gizycko

Boyen Fortress,  Gizycko

Castle, Ryn

Thankfully not affected by mass tourism, even during the peak season, the enchanting town of Ryn stands as an oasis of peace and rest in the Land of the Great Masurian Lakes. The atmosphere here is very different from that of most other places in the region - more refined and quieter. Tourists head to Ryn mainly to visit the castle, originally built in the 14th century and later reconstructed in English Neo-Gothic style. The majestic Teutonic castle in Ryn, formerly ‘Rhein’, can be seen from far away, long before arriving in the town. It houses the Regional Museum and boasts precious and well known collections that total more than 700 artefacts relating to ethnography, geology, archaeology, art and militaria.

Castle, Ryn

Popielno, Peninsula of wild horses

Within the Nature Park Mazury (55,000 hectares) runs south of Mikolajki, needed a small car ferry (summer only 11:00 to 18:00), on the Beldany lake Zoological Research Center of the Polish Academy of Sciences. Since 1955, the descendants of the Waldtarpane / Koniks be here on a former country estate, beavers, bison and wild horses bred and wild. While beaver and bison are no longer threatened today is the main attraction that many tourists visited annually 1,600-hectare outdoor enclosure of Konik. After the extinction of the Tarpan in the wild, late 18th century, the last surviving in a game park animals were given away to farmers.

Popielno, Peninsula of wild horses

Wojnowo, monastery of the Dormition of the Mother of God

Russian Old Believers established the village of Wojnowo in the first half of XIX century. In 1654 they split off from the Russian Orthodox Church rejecting reforms introduced by Patriarch Nikon. Those reforms concerned Church customs, hymn and liturgical books. Old Believers have been so called because they have practised their old customs. Eventually, following different understanding of religious matters, they separated into two main groups: one of them having clergy and another rejecting them. The Old Believers without clergy had lived in Suwałki and Sejny region in the Kingdom of Poland moved and settled in the Land of East Prussia and later on another group coming from Central Russia joined them. Together they established a few villages, Wojnowo being one of them. Government of Prussia named it officially Eckersdorf, but the name Wojnowo was chosen by the village’s owner Sidor Borysov.

The settlers built a wooden chapel – a prayer house and a monastery, dedicated to the Saviour and the Holy Trinity. The monastery prospered during leadership of a young Old Believer Paul, known later as Paul of Prussia. He founded the first Slavonic typography in the town of Pisz.

Wojnowo, monastery of the Dormition of the Mother of God