The best traffic-free bike rides around gmina Filipów

Worth seeing at the bottom and at the top

Lake Boczne lies on the western edge of the Suwałki Region, in a deep glacial channel near the town of Przerośl. Covering approximately 55 hectares, Lake Boczne is a pristine lake, with Class II water quality. Its maximum depth reaches over 33 meters, making it an attractive spot for anglers and divers. A small stream connects the lake to Lake Kościelne, and its shores are picturesquely surrounded by nature. From this vantage point, you have a picture-perfect view of the lake before you – picture-perfect!

The bridges in Stańczyki, often called the "Aqueducts of the Romincka Forest," are among the highest railway bridges in Poland – 180 meters long and reaching a height of 36.5 meters. Built between 1912 and 1918 in a style reminiscent of Roman aqueducts, they were intended to be part of a major railway line, but the line operated only as a local route until 1945. Today, the tracks no longer exist, and the impressive structures have become a tourist attraction and a bungee jumping site. Situated on the Błędzianka River and surrounded by picturesque scenery, they are a destination for bicycle tours and a good place to rest. Admission to the bridges is charged, but the view and history of the site are definitely worth a visit.

Lake Siekierewo. Practically off the beaten track. Only a forester's lodge nearby. On-site parking, a few benches, garbage cans. You can launch SUPs and enjoy nature.

But there are several shops here where you can get a refreshing drink or a piece of cake.

Some of the highest bridges in Poland are located in Stańczyki. They are impressive monuments, monuments of construction technology. They were designed over the Błędzianka River, the valley of which in Stańczyki reaches a depth of 65 m in places. Years ago, the Northern Bridges, also known as the Romincka Forest Bridges, were a section of the Gołdap - Żytkiejmy railway line, providing a unique viewing terrace for travelers (it is also worth visiting Piękna Góra in Gołdap - a viewing point on the Romincka Forest). Their form resembles the Roman aqueducts built in ancient times, which is why they are popularly referred to as the Romincka Forest Aqueducts. They were probably designed in 1905 by Italian architects. The two five-span bridges made of reinforced concrete are 200 m long and 5.7 m wide (each). The radii of the arches are 15 m, and the distance between the pillars is 30 m. From the level of the Błędzianka River to the top of the arch, we have 31.5 m. Preparations for the construction of the bridges began in 1910. In the years 1912-1914, the northern structure was built, and in the years 1923-1926, the southern bridge was built. https://atrakcje.mazury.pl/mosty-stanczyki/ Price list 2024: standard ticket PLN 10, concession PLN 7. Parking is free.

Currently a paid entry place, about 10 PLN, entrance and ticket office at the top of the bridge. The bridge can also be viewed from behind the netting at the bottom, but it is worth entering and walking around the whole thing, at the ends of the bridge there are exits to the bottom. The bridges look good even during sunset, you can still catch the last rays behind the trees.

Maybe I was unlucky but the food was terrible. If it weren't for the fact that I was there on Saturday after a whole day of driving, and the nearest shop open on Sunday is about 20 km from Stańczyki, I would have thrown away the meal. Additionally, for the above-mentioned reasons, I was forced to order breakfast. I paid PLN 70 (~€18), I leave it without comment... I visited the place in August 2023.