Masury
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Landscape and Geography
The Masurian Lakes with their glacial moraine landscape and legendary beauty were explored by us way before the entry of Poland to the EU and in the course of this exploration we determined that this area is a “must have” for any company involved in boating.
Well now is that time, we are pleased to announce we now have a programme exploring the 3000 lakes.
The Land of a Thousand Lakes ('three thousand' would be more like it!) is a boating paradise. Its 25 large lakes linked by canals, rivers and lochs, offer everything a boating enthusiast could need. There is something for everyone – boating, fishing, hiking, looking at historical sites, bird watching and much more.
We cannot emphasis enough the stunning scenery and landscape of the region. The locals call these little lakes “eyes of the sky”, as they reflect the ultramarine blue of the sky which is suffused in their emerald green waters. The actual landscape is gently rolling with a few hills occasionally up to 300 metres high. The Masurian towns and villages feature peaceful cobbled streets, with tree lined alleys. The areas flora and fauna include storks, sea-eagles, cranes with a background of shiny fields of rape.
For crusing we have divided this vast area is subdivided into 2 smaller regions, lake districts:
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Lake Spirding and the South
The south, which includes Mikolajki (called the Masurian Venice) abounds in boats during the summer and has an extremely attractive promenade which was only recently renovated. The area is generally flatter with more sand however offers a stunning night skys with no light pollution.
Lake Spirding with its 114 square kilometres is almost as large as the Müritz, and you can reach Pisz or Wierzba via the Wagenauer Canal, this canal also leads to, via a beautiful chain of lakes the popular holiday resort of Rucianne Nida.
Lake Mamry and the North
The northern lakes, including the 104 square kilometre large Lake Mamry are surrounded by mixed forest and fertile soil. No wonder the Prussian nobility built their grand mansions here.
Gizycko, seen as the watersports capital (due to size and location) has as its main attraction a swing-bridge built at the end of the 19the century. The town is still responsible for the management of car and boat traffic. Those who continue to explore can take in the sites of cormorant-island by boat, visit Grafen von Lehndorff’s castle in Sztynort (famous for his involvement in Hitlers assassination attempt – for which he was executed) or watch the surfing and water skiing at Wegorzewo.
Fishing
Masurian abounds in different varieties of fish including pike, sheatfish, zander and whitefish –When wishing to fish we need to apply for a permit locally.
Locks
With only two locks in this whole cruising area (both located in the south) this is the ideal boating area for those who are not so keen on locks.
| Turn proposals | days | length | locks | |
| WL | South-Trip: Piaski, Spirding, Johannisburg, Nikolaiken, Niedersee and Seen |
4-7 | 80-120 km |
0 (4) |
| WL | North-Trip:
Piaski, Spirding, Nikolaiken, Rhein, Lötzen, Steinort, Angerburg and back |
7-10 | 120-180 km |
0 |
| WL | South-North-Trip:
Drive from Piaski to the South and then in the North and back |
10-14 | 150-220 km |
0 (4) |
| WL = without yachting licence | ||||
