Lake Pluszne: the quiet, deep water of Warmia
A large, deep and exceptionally clean lake in the forests south of Olsztyn. Pluszne Wielkie is a no-motor quiet zone where no motorboats growl - with wooded islands, wild shores and water best crossed by kayak, SUP or under sail.
South of Olsztyn, ringed by the forests of the Stawiguda commune, lies one of the deepest and cleanest lakes near Olsztyn - Pluszne Wielkie. On its southern shore stands the village of Pluski, which gives the lake its everyday name. This is a large, open body of water and at the same time a quiet zone, so instead of the growl of motorboats you will mostly hear the splash of a paddle and birdsong.
Lake Pluszne: what kind of water this is
Pluszne Wielkie is a moraine lake of over 900 hectares (about 908 ha) - the second largest in the Olsztyn Lakeland. It runs from south to north for nearly 8.75 km, up to 1.9 km wide, and its highly varied shoreline measures around 30 km, forming seven peninsulas and numerous bays. The water is deep: up to 52 m, and almost 15 m on average, which places Pluszne among the deepest lakes in the region. The water is very clean (class II), and on the open water opposite Pluski lies a wooded island of about 4.7 ha; there are two smaller ones as well, fringed by reeds. It is a vendace-type lake - home to vendace, whitefish, pike, bream, eel, perch and roach, among others.
The quiet zone - why it matters to paddlers
A quiet zone is in force on Pluszne: craft with combustion engines are banned (a resolution of the Olsztyn County Council); the ban does not cover electric propulsion, so in practice the lake belongs to kayaks, SUP boards, sailing dinghies and quiet electric motors. For a paddler this is the best possible news - no wash from motorboats, calm and nature right beside the hull. The shores are mostly clear of undergrowth and accessible: the southern one high and steep in places, the western one hilly, the rest flat.
What to do on the lake
Pluszne is water for calm, all-day paddling. By kayak or SUP it is best to hug the varied shoreline - to look into the bays, round the peninsulas and paddle up to the wooded island. Sailors have room to tack on the open water, and anglers a vendace fishery. In summer a swim in the clean water and a camp on the shore are tempting. If you value quiet and nature, set off early in the morning or towards evening, when the water smooths out.
Where to rent gear and put in
The base on the lake is Przystań Pluski in the village of Pluski, about 20 km south of Olsztyn. There you can rent kayaks, SUP boards, sailing dinghies, pedalos, fishing boats and electric motorboats; the harbour also arranges trips and SUP expeditions, with transport of gear and people. You can put in your own boat, light a barbecue or campfire and use the facilities. Other centres, cabins and campsites operate nearby as well.
Safety on open water
Put your life jacket on and adjust it while still on shore. A lake works by different rules than a river: on open water the greatest danger is the wind, which over a few kilometres builds a short, tiring wave - especially along the north-south axis. Before you set off, check the forecast, and in stronger wind keep to the shore and do not cross to the other side. I write more in the guide on safety on the water.
How to paddle a kayak on the lake? However you like, as long as you keep to all the safety rules. You paddle whichever way suits you - you choose your own line and destination. There is no channel, bed or course you have to follow. Just watch out for natural obstacles and other people on the water. Adapt to the weather conditions.
Routes on the lake
Pluszne has no waymarked trail split into stretches, the way a river does - you plan the route yourself, depending on the weather and your strength. Below are a few ideas: from a calm loop along the shore at Pluski, through a crossing to the island, to a full-day circuit of the lake. The map below shows the lake itself, but I have marked on it the key points described in the route ideas.
- The harbour and beach at Pluski - a sandy beach, kayak and SUP rental, food
- Marina Zielonowo - a harbour on the western arm of the lake
- Przystań OSW Perkoz - a centre on the south-western shore
-
01
A calm loop at Pluski
Sheltered shore by the harbour and beach, close to land - good for a first time and with children.
-
02
The wooded island (a reserve)
Paddle round the wooded island in the middle of the lake. It is a reserve, so admire it from the water without going ashore.
-
03
The wild, narrow northern reaches
Winding, quiet bays and forest shores in the northern part, within the quiet zone.
-
04
The Swaderki Canal towards the Marózka
For explorers: a narrow waterway linking the lake with the Marózka and on to the Łyna. You can paddle most of the canal itself; at the weir carry the kayak about 50 m.
Onward by water: the Swaderki Canal and the Marózka
Pluszne does not end the adventure at its own shore. The Swaderki Canal links it with the Marózka river, and that in turn with the Łyna. For explorers and packrafters this is an invitation to a longer, wild expedition. You can paddle most of the canal itself; at the weir a short portage is needed - check the conditions on the spot, as the canal can be overgrown and shallow. Beyond it the narrow, forest-lined Marózka can be shallow and in places calls for longer portages, so plan such a route on your own.
Nature and surroundings
The lake is ringed by the dense forests of the Olsztynek Plain, and the quiet and clean water favour birds and fish. The high southern shore gives fine views over the open water, and the wooded islands are a haven of calm. Beyond Pluski it is worth looking in on nearby Zielonowo and the surrounding forest settlements; from here it is also close to Olsztyn and on into the heart of Warmia and the neighbouring Napiwoda-Ramuki Forest.
Before you set off, take a look at the map and check the wind forecast - on open water it decides how far you will get and which way you can safely return.