Green Velo

The red trail in the Bartoszyce Municipality is a 30-kilometer route, running south from Bartoszyce. It runs through picturesque, hilly areas, with dirt and asphalt roads, with rather poor quality. The crown jewel on the trail is a palace and park complex in the locality of Galiny, one of the oldest and most interesting residences of the Prussian aristocracy in the Mazury and Warmia region. A large part of the trail runs along the Green Velo trail. On the route, MTB bikes with good suspension are recommended.

The trail runs through Prussia-Warmia borderland, which abounds in the former estates of the Prussian nobility, whose origins date back to the earlier times of the Order of the Teutonic Knights. In villages along the route, numerous old red-brick houses have survived to date, covered with ceramic tiles, and with decorative cornices and friezes. Such design was characteristic for the whole area of ​​East Prussia in the 19^th and early 20th centuries. The buildings that survived to date create the characteristic cultural landscape of the Warmia village. Despite the destruction caused by the Red Army during the 1945 offensive and the subsequent long-term devastation of abandoned estates, the beauty of the old architecture has been rediscovered in recent years.

The general course of the trail is as follows: Bartoszyce, city border, Wojska Polskiego street (0.0 km) - Perkujki (3.3 km) - Krawczyki (9.4 km) - Galiny (13.4 km) - Maszewy (21.3 km) - Sędławki, provincial road no. 592 (29.0 m).

The loop from the centre of Bartoszyce will be approximately 34 kilometres long.

The trail starts in the southern part of Bartoszyce, near the place where the asphalt ends in Wojska Polskiego street. This is the road heading for Perkujki. From there, dirt roads run to the village of Osieka, where in a beautiful park there is a fairly well-preserved, eclectic palace dating back to mid-19th century, reminiscent with its architecture of Italian residences. Currently, it houses a hotel.

Next, the trail runs on an asphalt road to the village of Krawczyki, where it encounters the signposting of the Green Velo trail, accompanying it almost to the end of the route. From here, through a fairly wild forest, the trail runs for about 2 kilometres up to national road no. 51, which runs southwards for approximately 500 meters, to the village of Galiny. You can also follow the Green Velo trail straight through the forest to the palace in Galiny, but this section has a very poor quality, cobbled pavement.

The former residence of the von Eulenburg family in Galiny is one of the most beautiful and best-preserved palaces of this type in the Warmia region. It has Renaissance architecture, which is unique in all of East Prussia. The palace, rebuilt and modernized many times,  was built in 16^th century, originally as a defensive structure. Over recent years, the new owners have carefully renovated it after war and post-war damage, organizing a cyclist-friendly hotel in its interiors. Nearby farm buildings date back to the turn of 19^th century. There is also a half-timbered granary dating back to mid-18^th century. The whole complex is supplemented with a beautiful landscape park with a total area of ​​4 hectares and 300 hectares of meadows, forests and pastures that belong to the estate. Currently, Galiny is known for studs that are bred in the former farmstead. In the village, a Medieval Blessed Virgin Mary church has also survived. Its interior was funded by the von Eulenburg family.

From the palace, the further route runs eastwards, still together with Green Velo trail. The area is picturesque here, and unfortunately the poor quality of asphalt and dirt roads run through the villages of  Kosy, Dębiany, Maszewy, Lusiny and Sędławki to provincial road no. 592. In the villages, old manors, houses and outbuildings have survived. A fairly good bike trail runs from the provincial road to the town of Bartoszyce.

As part of the trip, it is also worthwhile seeing the Gothic monuments of this border town located on the Łyna river. In the centre, the Medieval urban layout and pieces of the Gothic fortifications, with the monumental Lidzbark Gate, have been quite well preserved.

Points of interest along the trail:

1. Bartoszyce - monuments, urban layout
2. Osieki - the palace
3. Galiny - a palace, a palace park
4. Dębiany - manor house
5. Maszewy – manor house
6. Lake Kinkajmskie
7. Picturesque landscape

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  low and very low vehicle traffic; no dangerous intersections. A trail for lovers of mountain biking and off-road cycling.

Starting point:

Bartoszyce, the city border in Wojska Polskiego street

Finishing point:

Bartoszyce, road running to Sędławki near provincial road no. 592