Green Velo

The green bike trail in the Gołdap Municipality is a little over 20 km long bike route, going from the spa resort of Gołdap to Szeskie Hills (Wzgórza Szeskie hills), via an area called Mazury Garbate (lit. Hunchbacked Masuria). The trail runs between hills and abounds in scenic views. Along the way, you can see the tourist complex in Piękna Góra, the safari park in Zatyki, a deer breeding farm, wind farms and small lakes. The trail is suitable for a leisure family trip. It is clearly marked and goes away from vehicle traffic.

The general route of the trail is as follows: Gołdap, southern part of the city (0.0 km) - Piękna Góra (1.9 km) - Suczki (5.2 km) - Pietrasze (8.1 km) - turn towards Zatyki (9.6 km) - Rudzie (13.2 km) - Nasuty (15.2 km) - Radzie (17.8 km) - Grabowo, Green Velo trail (21.6 km).

The trail begins in the southern part of Gołdap, beyond the ring road of the city. At this point, the Green Velo trail separates from the road towards Suczki and Piękna Góra. According to old lore, Piękna Góra was once the site of the castle of a cruel lord. Today, standing watch over the surrounding area at 272 m above sea level, it is a winter sports resort with a chair lift and a restaurant. It is an excellent lookout point, from which you can see, among other things, the next elevation on the trail – Tatarska Góra (308 m above sea level), on top of which there is a nature reserve protecting a small lake, surrounded by a peat bog. Before you get to Tatarska Góra, there is the old village of Suczki with many ruins of old farms. A large wind farm was built in its vicinity, benefiting from a significant exposure to wind in the area. At this point the trail intersects with another bike trail starting from Gołdap, marked in yellow. The green trail continues to head south, passing Tatarska Góra and going in the direction of the highest part of Mazury Garbate, around Rudzka Góra and Szeska Góra (308 m above sea level). There are a lot of small lakes here, behind which lies the village of Zatyki with its safari park. It’s an opportunity to see many species of animals indigenous to Poland living in semi-captivity. It’s a great attraction, especially for children. Past the village of Rudzie, the trail turns to the west, without climbing the highest part of the chain of hills. After a few kilometres it reaches the village of Grabowo and a provincial road. Next, it gets to the former railway line to Gołdap, on which it meets with the Green Velo trail. From here, you can go back to Gołdap, and the whole trip, including a visit to Zatyki, will be about 35 kilometres long.

Points of interest along the trail:

1. Gołdap - spa, monuments, “Las Kumiecie” reserve
2. Piękna Góra - lookout point, restaurant, ski lift
3. Suczki - ruins of old farms
4. Tatarska Góra - nature reserve, lookout point
5. Zatyki - safari park, deer breeding farm
6. Wzgórza Szeskie - landscapes, vistas

The entire trail is suitable for bicycles with panniers/bike trailers. The trail uses solely roads with no motor vehicle traffic allowed or local roads with a low and very low vehicle traffic; no dangerous intersections. The trail is especially recommended for families with children and bike trailers for kids. Recreational character. Trail offering outstanding vistas.

Starting point:

Gołdap, intersection of Osiedle I and Wojska Polskiego street. Connection to the Green Velo trail

Finishing point:

Grabowo, connection to the Green Velo trail