Suwalski Landscape Park (Yotvingians, Old Believers and Lake Hańcza) - First date

Join us for a hike through Suwalski Landscape Park!

Visit with us the land of lakes and marshes — Poland’s pole of beauty. This place is full of mysteries: relics of Yotvingian fortresses, old churches and ruined manors. With us you will conquer mountains (yes, we have mountains here too!) and admire breathtaking views. Note: this trip is for the determined — we will cover about 20 km, so bring good boots and provisions for the trail! For those interested there will also be an opportunity to bathe in the deepest lake in Poland.

The trip will be led by: Monika Radzikowska – archaeologist, traveler, blogger, educator, author of books for younger and older readers, and Adrian Pogorzelski.

REGISTRATION: ZAPISY

PROGRAM:

• Gathering: May 9, 2026 (Saturday) at 5:30 AM at the parking lot in front of the Palace of Culture and Science in Warsaw, opposite Kinoteka. Departure at 5:35 AM. Planned return to Warsaw around 10:30–11:30 PM.
• Cisowa Góra – ascent to the viewpoint with a panorama of the glacial landscape and the Szeszupa Basin.
• Yotvingian Memory Room – a story about the Yotvingians, former inhabitants of these lands.
• Trekking: Szurpiły – Castle Hill – Wodziłki – Łopuchowo – Lake Hańcza – Stara Hańcza.
• Castle Hill – a Yotvingian residential‑defensive complex; guided visit to the archaeological site with an archaeologist guide.
• Wodziłki – at the molenna you will hear the story of the Old Believers.
• Łopuchowo – at the old cemetery a story about Protestants in the Suwałki region.
• Boulder field – a gathering of boulders, traces of the last glaciation.
• Lake Hańcza – walk along the eastern shore (narrow path, high bank; there may be steeper descents and ascents on the route, but the trail is marked by Park staff and not extreme).
• Boundary Stone – a stop by a gigantic erratic boulder.
• Stara Hańcza – for the brave a possibility to swim.
• In the villages we will see the ruins of a manor associated, among others, with Tomasz Bogumił Świętopełk‑Mirski.
• Around 6:00–6:30 PM departure toward Warsaw; on the return trip a planned approx. 40‑minute “dinner” break at a petrol station.

NOTE (practical information):

• Total distance: about 20 km.
• Bring appropriate trekking footwear and outerwear suited to weather conditions (we’re not afraid of rain).
• There are no shops on the route — bring provisions and water for the hike.

PRICE: 260 zł/person + cost of admission to the Yotvingian Room (10 zł/participant).

You are warmly invited!!!