Animal tracks on the beach walkways

Each of Gawrych Ruda’s two beach walkways features the educational trail “Tropy zwierząt”; the animal tracks are embedded in the planks. The walkways were completed in 2022, and the educational trails are a permanent feature. One shows tracks of the grey heron, swan and mallard; the other shows tracks of the wolf, beaver and otter from Wigierski National Park. The two sets of motifs are therefore clearly distinct: one walkway features waterbirds, while the other focuses on the wolf, beaver and otter.

A broader view of nature nearby

The “Jeziora” educational trail is located near Gawrych Ruda. Visitors can learn about forest and peatland habitats and find out more about the history of Lake Wigry and the differences between lake types. The trail also offers the opportunity to observe cormorants and other birds, learn about lichens and local plant and animal species, and see sculptures from an international art symposium. Unlike the individual animal motifs on the beach walkways, “Jeziora” brings together several themes: habitats, bodies of water, species and art.

Two different cycling-route landmarks

After it was converted into a cycling route in 2020, the National Park described the course of “Wokół Wigier” in Gawrych Ruda: the route climbs the hill to the church and turns towards Bryzgiel there. Another route in the nearby area is called “Do Gawrych Rudy przez dolinę Czarnej Hańczy”. After a small beach and a landing stage, it turns left downhill onto an unpaved path. It runs close to the lakeshore between holiday resorts and summer houses, offering views of Lake Wigry and the opposite shore. The landmarks described differ: for “Wokół Wigier”, they are the church and the turnoff; for the other route, they are the shore, the path surface and the lake view. Check the current conditions of the “Do Gawrych Rudy przez dolinę Czarnej Hańczy” route before setting out.

Local history in two time periods

In 1668, the Ruda na Hrudzie (Gawrych Ruda) ironworks belonged to the Suchocki family of ironmasters, who came from Masovia. A much later historical landmark is the obelisk by the Church of Saint Maximilian Maria Kolbe. It was unveiled on 16 October 2005 in honour of Pope John Paul II, marking the 27th anniversary of his pontificate. The two dates highlight different aspects: the ironworks points to the area’s 17th-century history, while the obelisk commemorates an event in 2005.

Keep the location in mind when choosing accommodation

When choosing where to stay, it helps to distinguish between destinations in Gawrych Ruda and those in the nearby area. The beach walkways and church are in the village; the “Jeziora” educational trail and the “Do Gawrych Rudy przez dolinę Czarnej Hańczy” route are described as nearby. If you’re looking for a hotel, first decide which of these attractions matters most for your stay.

Discover more destinations: Kaletnik, Przełomka, Smolniki, Bakaniuk, Postawele, Jasionowo, Bród Stary, Suwałki

For the main travel overview: Suwalski.