The yellow hiking trail around Szeląg Mały offers a tangible way to explore Stare Jablonki: It passes through Stare Jabłonki and Buńki, making a loop around the lake before returning to Stare Jabłonki. The yellow hiking trail is 8.9 kilometres long and runs mostly through forest. The route and woodland scenery make this a loop with a clear connection to the village. Conditions on the route may change seasonally.
The start and finish are at a crossroads near a shop in the village centre. You can park at the railway station; the trailhead is also accessible nearby by train. Check local access information and trail markings before your hike. This gives you both the starting point and the route length as concrete details to help plan your trip.
Hiking trail and pilgrimage route
The Way of St. James also passes through Stare Jablonki. It offers a different kind of route from the yellow loop: here, the focus is on a circular trail that returns to its starting point, while the pilgrimage route passes through the village. If you are choosing between these route types, you can distinguish the loop by the lake from the Way of St. James route, rather than treating both as sections of the same hike.
By the lake: kayaking and a recreation beach
The PTTK Stare Jabłonki Water Station is on the shore of Szeląg Mały, amid the Tabor forests. It is a starting point for kayaking trips. If kayaking is part of your stay, check the specific launch options in advance. A municipal description dated 9 July 2010 describes the recreation beach by the lake as a leisure area for residents and tourists.
A municipal description dated 9 July 2010 notes that there is no designated bathing area at the recreation beach and that there is a landing stage for boats, yachts and smaller watercraft. If you plan to use the landing stage, check its current condition before your visit. This lets you take the information about the beach and landing stage into account when choosing activities, without confusing them with a swimming or kayaking trip.
Canal heritage in the wider region
One of the three main routes of the Elbląg Canal runs from Miłomłyn via Ostróda to Stare Jablonki. The Oberland–Warmian Canal includes five inclined planes, unique in the world: Buczyniec, Kąty, Oleśnica, Jelenie and Całuny. On them, watercraft are transported on special carriages powered by water. Alongside the lake and forest, this engineering feature adds a distinctive dimension to the wider region.
Regular boat trips run on the canal every year from early May to the end of September. Check the timetable for your travel dates. The yellow loop by the lake is a specific hiking trail through the village; the inclined planes and boat trips are part of the regional canal experience. This distinction helps you plan a trip to Szeląg Mały and a canal excursion as separate activities.
The tourism history of Stare Jablonki
In the 20th century, Stare Jabłonki developed into a tourist centre with guesthouses, holiday resorts and restaurants. This development is part of the village’s history and adds a historical dimension to its landscape and trails. Together, these themes present the village as a destination for hiking by the lake and as part of a region with a rich canal heritage.
Discover more destinations: Kątno, Miłomłyn, Idzbark, Lubajny, Gulbity, Zabi Róg, Pelnik, Kotkowo.
Return to the regional travel overview: Ostródzki.
