Wigry National Park – Yew Mountain - “Suwalki’s Fujiyama” – The Yotvingian Memorial Room in Szurpiły – Castle Hill in Szurpiły – Suwalki Landscape Park–Turtulu – Bachanowo Boulder Field Nature Reserve – Observation Tower on Leszczynowa Hill in Przełomka – Masurian Graduation Towers in Gołdap – Water Tower in Gołdap – Hillfort in Konikowo (Piekna Gora near Gołdap) – Cisowy Jar Nature Reserve – Bison Enclosure in Wolisko – Lake Gołdapivo (Kruglankės) – Observation Tower in Stare Juchy – Hillfort in Rogala – Water Tower in Ełk – Lakeside Boulevard in Ełk
Distance traveled – about 250 kilometers.
Duration – 2 days
Discover a region where hills meet lakes and nature intertwines with the history of the ancient Yotvingians. The route “Among the hills and lakes of the Yotvingians” leads through the most beautiful corners of Suwalki and Hilly Masurzy – from wild national and regional parks, through hillforts and places of remembrance, to resort towns and picturesque boulevards. Every step of this journey brings you closer to the secrets of this extraordinary land.
This route is a journey through the heart of Suwalki and Hilly Mazurzy, a land full of picturesque hills, sparkling lakes, and traces of the ancient Balts. Here, among the silence of the forests and the valleys formed by glaciers, you can still feel the spirit of the Yotvingians, a warlike people who once lived in these lands.
The journey begins in Wigry National Park, where Lake Wigry, surrounded by forests and marshes, reveals itself in all its beauty. This is a landscape that has remained almost unchanged since the days of the ancient Balts. From here, the road leads to Yew Mountain in Gulbiniškės, also known as the “Suwalki's Fujiyama”. The cone-shaped hill stands out in the landscape, and from its top you can see a boundless mosaic of fields, forests, and lakes.
Nearby lies Szurpiły, considered the heart of the Yotvingian lands. The Yotvingian Memorial Room here preserves archaeological finds and tells the story of the daily life and beliefs of this great tribe. Above the village stands Castle Hill in Szurpiły, where the Yotvingians once had their defensive castle. Walking along the old ramparts, you can feel the history preserved in the earth.
The route stretches through Suwalki Landscape Park–Turtulu, the oldest in Poland. It is a land of glacial landscapes – deep lake basins and wave-shaped hills. Turtule is the park's headquarters, from where you can travel to the Bachanowo Boulder Field Nature Reserve. Another impressive spot is the observation tower on Leszczynowa hill in Przełomka, which offers panoramic views of valleys and lakes reminiscent of Balts sagas and legends.
The road then leads to the resort town of Gołdap. Here, among the aromas of the Masurian graduation towers, you can take a deep breath – this aroma is healing. From the Gołdap water tower, you can see the Romincka forest, and from the nearby hillfort in Konikowo (Piekna Gora near Gołdap), your eyes can take in wide panoramas that reach beyond the Polish border.
Next, you will encounter nature and its inhabitants. In the Cisowy Jar Nature Reserve, ancient trees create the atmosphere of sacred Balts forests, and in the bison enclosure in Wolisko, you can see these majestic animals, once considered sacred by the Balts, up close. Near Lake Gołdapivo (Kruglankės), the landscape becomes gentler, inviting you to relax and reflect. The nearby observation tower in Stare Juchy offers another opportunity to take in the vast lake district.
In Rogala, there is a hillfort – an ancient “castle site” one of many where the Yotvingians built their defensive settlements. Here, their connection to the land is most strongly felt.
The last stop is Ełk. From the historic water tower, you can enjoy views of the town and the lake, and a walk along the lakeside boulevard is a great way to end your trip, combining history, modern life, and the natural beauty of Mazurzy.
The route “Among the hills and lakes of the Yotvingians” is more than just a tourist trail. It is a journey through time and space – from the ancient legends of the Yotvingians, through the silence of protected parks and reserves, to today's resorts and lively cities. It is a story about a land where nature and history coexist, creating a landscape of unique beauty and mystery.
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