Krutynia - Jewel of the Masurian Landscape Park
Krutynia - The Queen of Masuria's Rivers
"Kreta" - "the winding one" - the etymological origin alone suggests what a unique landscape of rivers and lakes was once created during the Weichselian glaciation. The crystal-clear Krutynia River meanders through a hilly moraine landscape, past small sleepy villages, dense forests, meadows with storks clapping their beaks, mysterious bogs and glistening lakes. A fairyland of days long past - not quite, but rather the region of Masuria in north-eastern Poland which offers memorable experiences for nature-lovers and active recreation seekers, particularly for canoeists. These pages provide valuable information about the Masurian Landscape Park and the environmentally sound canoe tourism on and along the Krutynia canoe trail.
Canoeing with a Tradition
Paddlers discovered the "Queen of Masuria's Rivers" as an attractive canoeing route as early as 1930. Today, along with 20 lakes and smaller rivers in its catchment area, it forms the 100 km Krutynia canoe trail from Lampackie Lake near Sorkwity to Beldany Lake, which lies beyond Spychowo, within the boundaries of the Masurian Landscape Park (MPK). The Krutynia River, from which the trail derives its name, rises from Krutynskie Lake and, after 26 km, empties into Gardynskie Lake.
Experience Nature - Protect Nature
The preservation of this region was the reason to establish the Masurian Landscape Park in 1977. The official declaration of the Krutynia River landscape as a Natura 2000 site (SPA) in 2004 once more emphasises the area's importance for the international protection of species. Particularly impressive is the diversity of flora and fauna found here, including many protected species such as freshwater sponges and kingfishers which canoeists can observe during their trips.
