Dajna: nine lakes of the Mrągowo Lakeland

The Dajna - a scenic, demanding kayak trail of Masuria

The Dajna is one of the prettier rivers of Masuria and a tributary of the Guber. The river itself is 58.4 km long, while the kayak trail runs from Piecki through Mrągowo to Święta Lipka and measures nearly 36 km. Along the way it passes through nine lakes of the Mrągowo Lakeland: Wągiel, Wierzbowskie, Czos, Czarne, Kot, Juno, Kiersztanowskie, Śpigiel and Dejnowa. This mix of river and lakes gives the route plenty of variety.

The Dajna is two elements in one: wooded, wild river stretches and the open expanses of the lakes. For anyone who loves nature and photography it's a treat - but it is not a route for beginners.

The Dajna route: Piecki – Mrągowo – Święta Lipka

The Dajna is arduous rather than technically difficult - the PTTK rates it ZWA-ZWB with a difficulty of 3 on a five-point scale. The water itself is easy, but the portages, low bridges and shallows with stones and logs in the current are tiring. On the trail there is a navigable weir in Młynowo and a portage at the hydro plant in Pilec; kayaks are also portaged at the fish ponds in Młynowo (100-200 m along the right bank - it is worth arranging for the gate to be opened in advance) and at the culvert under the forest road, along the left bank. A note on the start: the stretch between Lake Wągiel and Lake Wierzbowskie can be impassable at normal water levels, which is why many groups put in only at Lake Wierzbowskie. Anyone after an easy, family route will pick a different river. Before setting off, check the current water level.

The character changes along its whole length: the river stretches are wooded, shaded and quick, while the lake crossings are open and sunny, but in a stronger wind they can raise a wave, so on the big lakes you need to keep to the shore. A convenient base is Mrągowo, roughly halfway along the trail, with amenities, lodgings and rentals. You can see the whole course on the interactive trail map.

Nature along the Dajna: wild, wooded stretches

The Dajna's greatest asset is its wildness. Varied fauna and flora, the green of the forests and birdsong make the trip full of variety, with nature close at hand. The wooded, hard-to-reach stretches of the river are natural refuges - it is easy to meet wildlife there and to get good shots. It is worth paddling slowly, with a camera within reach; the quiet and the lack of crowds are good for watching.

Region and history: Mrągowo and Święta Lipka

Halfway along the route lies Mrągowo - one of the region's main towns, known for its Piknik Country festival. Worth seeing here are the 19th-century town hall with the Masurian Museum and the historic Protestant church.

The trail ends in Święta Lipka, at one of Poland's most famous sanctuaries - a church-and-monastery complex known as the "Pearl of the Baroque". It is one of the most precious works of Baroque architecture in north-eastern Poland, a Marian sanctuary to which pilgrims have flocked since the late Middle Ages. Nearby lies Reszel, with the Gothic castle of the Warmian bishops.

Stretches of the Dajna trip: from Piecki to Święta Lipka

The Dajna is divided into short but demanding stages. The upper stretch, Piecki-Mrągowo, runs through the lakes of the Mrągowo Lakeland, with drops and weirs to get around. The lower stretch towards Baroque Święta Lipka is scenic but technical - a route for experienced kayakers. You can see every stretch on the map below - in "Close to nature" mode, with facilities and water levels along the way. And if you'd rather plan the trip your own way, you can draw your own route in "Your own way" mode.

See the trail on the interactive map Click to load the map with the route drawn in

Towns and villages along the Dajna

The trip begins in Piecki, runs through Mrągowo and ends in Święta Lipka. The Dajna thus combines wild nature, the lakes of the Mrągowo Lakeland and a Baroque sanctuary at the finish - provided the paddler already has some experience.