Myki on the Wadąg: waterways and local history

Myki lies in the Olsztyn Lakeland, on the southern shore of Lake Wadąg and on the Wadąg River. Two kayaking routes pass through the village; one is 43 kilometres long, while the other ends in Myki after 24 kilometres. A walking and cycling path also passes through the village. These landscape features are complemented by local history associated with the names Miken and Myki, as well as a Neo-Gothic chapel at the village entrance. The route’s endpoint is also worth considering: the 24-kilometre route ends in Myki, while the 43-kilometre route continues to the Łyna.

Waterways with different destinations

The waterside location has two distinct aspects: the southern shore of Lake Wadąg places Myki in the landscape, while the Wadąg River forms part of the 43-kilometre kayaking route to the Łyna. For orientation, it is helpful to distinguish between the location and the route: one describes Myki, while the other is a route that passes through the village and continues to the Łyna.

The longer kayaking route runs via Lake Dadaj, the Dadaj River, Lake Tumiańskie and Lake Wadąg. It then follows the Wadąg River to the Łyna and passes through Myki. Another route is 24 kilometres long and runs from Tumiany to Myki. The shorter trip ends in Myki; the longer one passes through the village and continues to the Łyna. Length and endpoint give you two specific criteria for comparing the kayaking routes.

On foot or by bike towards Olsztyn

A walking and cycling path runs from Wadąg through Myki and Zalbki to Wiosenna Street in Olsztyn. Unlike the kayaking routes, which run across lakes and along the Wadąg River, this path can be understood by following its sequence of places and its destination in Olsztyn. Myki is an intermediate stop on a route that continues beyond the village. The routes described thus differ not only in how you travel, but also in their respective destinations.

Name, foundation and chapel

Myki was founded in 1399 under the name Miken. The name derives from Micke, a Prussian given name corresponding to the Christian name Nicholas. The origin of the name is therefore also part of the village’s history: it traces the present-day name Myki back to an older Prussian form.

On 5 February 1517, Nicolaus Copernicus founded Myki again. There is also a Neo-Gothic Warmian chapel at the village entrance. Its location and regional character add a specific architectural reference to the historical information. A name connects the two subjects: Nicholas appears both in the explanation of the name Micke and in the name of Copernicus, who founded Myki again. The origin of the name and the 1517 foundation are, however, distinct historical details.

Discover more destinations: Klebark Wielki, Naterki, Dorotowo, Klewki, Łajs, Giławy, Rzeck, Nowe Kawkowo

For the wider travel overview: Olsztyński.