The Route of Powisle Churches
The route: Dzierzgoń – Nowiny – Bągart – Jasna – Żuławka Sztumska – Bukowo – Tropy Sztumskie – Stary Targ – Waplewo Wielkie – Olszanka – Kuksy (lake) – Dzierzgoń
Time: 6-8 h (including about 2h for visiting places and resting)
Recommended type of bicycles: trekking and tourist bicycles
Road surface and a difficulty level: the route runs along the asphalt roads. There is a ground road (about 4 kilometers) between Żuławka Sztumska and Jasna. It is quite a long route and it runs across open areas – mind the wind!
Route marking: the whole trip follows the marked bicycle routes. From Dzierzgoń to Stary Targ it is the blue Route of Powiśle Churches; from Stary Targ to Dzierzgoń it is the red-marked Route of Powiśle Castles and the R1 route marked with green signs
Route description:
The route runs along the northern edge of the plateau of Iławskie Lakeland and the western edge of the Dzierzgoń river valley. It is an undulating area in its southern part, with hills in the vicinity of Dzierzgoń. The northern section of the route offers unforgettable views. Bicyclists can admire vast panoramic view of Żuławy Wiślane, the city Elbląg and the forests of the High Plain of Elbląg (Wysoczyzna Elbląska). This is mainly an agricultural area, almost without any forests – only some can be found near Waplewo Wielkie. The region is not highly populated and, apart from villages, you cannot find much development in this area.
During this trip it is possible to visit some interesting rural gothic churches, remnants of a Teutonic castle in Dzierzgoń and a manor with a park in Waplewo Wielkie. The route can be described as rather easy, however it is long, and it requires good physical condition and some cycling practice. There is a pleasant relaxation spot with a swimming site on Kuksy Lake.
The trip (with particular legs and kilometers)
0,0 |
46,0 |
Dzierzgoń: the ruins of the Teutonic castle, a gothic church, a cemetery chapel, a former Franciscan monastery upon the Dzierzgoń river |
2,5 |
43,0 |
Nowiec |
8,0 |
37,5 |
Bągart: a gothic church |
12,5 |
33,0 |
Jasna: a monumental gothic church, historical brick building, Fox Hill (Lisia Góra) with the remnants of an observation tower |
16,0 |
29,5 |
Żuławka Sztumska: a gothic church reconstructed in the baroque style |
22,8 |
22,7 |
Bukowo |
25,5 |
20,0 |
Tropy Sztumskie |
28,5 |
17,0 |
Stary Targ: an eclectic church built on a cross layout; Jurand’s Canal (Kanał Juranda), a hydro-technical construction from the 13th century |
32,5 |
13,0 |
Waplewo Wielkie: the manor of the Sierakowscy family - the Polish Gentry Museum, a beautiful manor park, a chapel |
42,0 |
3,5 |
Kuksy Lake: a beach with a swimming site |
46,0 |
0,0 |
Dzierzgoń |