Stare Jablonki on Lake Szeląg Mały: Forest Trails and Water Experiences

Lake Szeląg Mały, forest trails, and opportunities for water activities shape the travel experiences in Stare Jabłonki. A specific starting point for planning is the yellow circular trail around the lake: it passes through Stare Jabłonki and Buńki before returning to its starting point, and is listed as 8.9 km long. If you enjoy walking, you can make this route the focus of a day during your stay; there is also a starting point in the village for water activities.

Hiking around Lake Szeląg Mały

The yellow hiking trail “Around Lake Szeląg Mały” is 8.9 km long. It leads from Stare Jabłonki through Buńki, around the lake, and back to Stare Jabłonki. Most of it runs through forest. This makes the route a specific way to walk around the lake and pass through wooded areas along the way.

The starting and ending point is at a junction by a shop in the village center. To reach the trailhead, you can park your car at Stare Jabłonki railway station; it is also possible to get close to the trailhead by train. If you are planning the hike, both the described point in the village center and the railway station can serve as landmarks for your journey. The circular trail passes through Stare Jabłonki and Buńki and returns to its starting point.

Lakeshore and water activities

There is a recreational beach on the lake in Stare Jabłonki, described as a leisure spot for residents and tourists. One limitation is important when choosing a destination: the beach does not have a designated swimming area. However, it has a landing stage for boats, yachts, and smaller watercraft. If you are mainly looking for a designated swimming area during your stay, you should bear this distinction in mind; if you are interested in the lakeshore and boats, you will find other options here.

The PTTK Stare Jabłonki water station is located on the shore of Lake Szeląg Mały, amid the Taborskie Forests, and is a starting point for kayaking trips. Together with the hiking trail, this gives you a choice between a walk and a kayaking trip. Both activities are connected with the lake, but offer different focuses for your stay: a hike along the yellow trail or an excursion on the water.

The Elbląg Canal and other trails

The Elbląg Canal is also a local landmark: it begins in Stare Jabłonki. One of its three main routes runs from Miłomłyn via Ostróda to Stare Jabłonki. In the wider region are the five inclined planes of Buczyniec, Kąty, Oleśnica, Jelenie, and Całuny, unique in the world. There, watercraft are transported on special carriages powered by water. Regular boat trips on the canal take place every year from early May to the end of September. This distinctive feature of the canal adds a regional waterway experience to the options available at the lake.

Stare Jabłonki developed into a tourist center during the 20th century, with guesthouses, holiday resorts, and restaurants. This describes the village’s historical tourist development; it is not a statement about the current offerings of individual accommodations. The Way of St. James also passes through Stare Jabłonki, offering another point of interest for travelers interested in pilgrimage routes.

If you would like to explore more destination pages as you plan your trip, you can also visit Kalbornia, Kajkowo, Gil Mały, Idzbark, Wielki Dwór, Samborowo, Morag, and Pelnik.

For the broader travel overview: Ostródzki.