The best traffic-free bike rides around Lake Duś

An exceptional curiosity is the presbytery, which unusually is located in the church tower. Above the presbytery is the historic clock mechanism and the bell tower. Of the thirteen evangelical churches in the Pisz District (miniatures are in the pictures) the Wejsuny church is the only one that has remained evangelical. To this day, the inscription in German above the entrance door "Our God is a strong fortress" has survived – these are the first words of the hymn of Lutherans all over the world, words of a song written by Rev. Dr. Martin Luther based on Psalm 46, and the inspiration for writing this song was the sight of the walls around Heidelberg Castle. You will find a detailed description at this link: https://wejsuny.eu/historia/

If anyone wants more details about the historical outline of the Evangelical parish in Wejsuny, here is a link https://pisz.luteranie.pl/parafia/historia/_wejsuny/

Neo-Gothic church built in the years 1908–10. The consecration of the temple took place on November 27, 1910. At that time, an organ was installed in the church, and in 1911, two bells were placed on the tower. In 1918, the bells were removed and then melted down for ammunition. In 1970, the church became a branch of the Evangelical parish in Pisz. In 2014, the original appearance of the temple's interior was recreated, including: the original colors and ornaments were restored. In 2015, the baptismal font was moved from the former Evangelical church in Ukta. Two plaques were placed inside, commemorating the parishioners of Wejsuny who fell during World War I and World War II. https://mpk.warmia.mazury.pl/kosciol-ewangelicko-augsburski-w-wejsunach/

I was covering another kilometer of the planned route and was just passing by this church, so I decided to pop in (at the time I didn't know it was an evangelical church). Just beyond the threshold, I was very kindly welcomed by a lady who offered me a tour of the church and museum, and to listen to its history and the sound of the organ. I was already a bit tired, so I gladly accepted this offer, which I do not regret.

The bridge over the Krutynia River in Ukta, with beautiful views of the Krutynia River. Lots of kayaks and kayakers! - a popular place for rafting on the Krutynia (when I was little, I was there with my family, but that was a long time ago!)

The ferry in Wierzba near Mikołajki is a unique attraction in Masuria. A ferry crossing across Lake Bełdany not only saves time on the way to Popielno, but also an interesting way to admire the area from the water. The ferry runs regularly, every hour, and the short cruise lasts only 10 minutes. For cyclists planning trips around Masuria, a ferry crossing can be an interesting diversion and a chance to rest before continuing the ride.

Lake Wiartel is located right next to the village of the same name, about 7 km from Pisz, and is very popular among tourists looking for active recreation. It is a good place for a bike trip, because around the lake there are forest roads and paths of moderate difficulty, ideal for trekking bikes. There are several recreation centers and campsites by the lake, as well as water equipment rentals, so you can combine cycling with kayaking or sailing. The beaches are well-maintained, with places for swimming and piers. In the season, it is worth arriving earlier, because the area can be quite crowded.

Lake Brzozolasek, located near Pisz, is a peaceful place ideal for those seeking peace and closeness to nature. The lake is surrounded by forests, which are conducive to cycling trips on the nearby forest and gravel roads. The water is clean and the shores are gentle, which encourages swimming and resting, although the tourist infrastructure is rather modest here. It is worth taking provisions and a supply of water with you, because there are few shops in the immediate vicinity. In the summer, it is good to have mosquito repellent with you.