Rękusy: Lakes, History and Hiking Trail

Rękusy is located in the southern part of the Ełk Lake District, which forms the central part of the Masurian Lake District. Several lakes are in the immediate vicinity. Lake Mołdzie is 2.5 km from Rękusy. Lepaki (Lepaki Małe) is 3 km away, Guzki 3.5 km, Sunowo (Sanowo) and Szarek are each 3.8 km away, and Chrzanowo is 4.2 km away. Of the lakes listed, Mołdzie is the closest and Chrzanowo the farthest; Sunowo and Szarek are the same distance away. If you take the lakeside landscape into account when choosing where to stay, these different distances give you a concrete sense of the area around Rękusy.

History and Village Character

In 1494, Rękusy received a settlement charter under Magdeburg law. Commander Rudolf von Tippelskirchen granted Marcin Rękus (Matz Ranckus) land amounting to 7.5 Łan. The event connects the charter with a specific person and a particular land grant. Another local landmark is the former school building, dating from 1926. The brick building has been renovated and remodeled several times. These two subjects raise different questions about the village’s history: the charter concerns the settlement and the land grant, while the former school building relates to its previous use as a school. The historical timeline thus stretches from 1494 to the building’s construction in 1926.

Hiking Trail and Birdwatching

The “Zabytkowe cmentarze” hiking trail runs from Stare Juchy via Liski, Grabnik, Rogale, Guzki, Mołdzie, Ruska Wieś, Góra Pilchowa, Rękusy and Bartosze to Ełk. Along this route, Rękusy comes after Góra Pilchowa and before Bartosze. This places the village on a longer route stretching from Stare Juchy to Ełk. If you are interested in a particular section, the order of the places listed can help you find your way. Check current trail conditions before planning your trip.

A report dated October 7, 2024, describes a one-off birdwatching trip held the previous day, October 6, as part of the European Birdwatching Days. It was organized by the Centrum Edukacji Ekologicznej and the Klub Miłośników Ptaków. The route ran from Ełk via Rękusy, Ruska Wieś, Rogale, Lake Sawinda and Lake Sunowo, and back to Ełk. The trip lasted 3.5 hours and was attended by twelve people. It offers a concrete historical comparison with the hiking route: birdwatching and a one-off outing were the focus here.

Historic Sites in the Wider Area

Two memorial sites from different periods of war lie in the wider region. On Góra Pilchowa are the graves of German and Russian soldiers who died during the hostilities of 1914–1918, hidden among the trees. In Bartosze is a cemetery dating from the Second World War, containing the remains of more than 24,000 soldiers and civilians. It is the largest cemetery of its kind in Warmia and Masuria. The sites differ both in period and in form: on Góra Pilchowa, they are graves in the forest; in Bartosze, a cemetery from the Second World War. Both lie in the wider area and are distinct regional landmarks outside Rękusy.

Discover more destinations: Szeligi, Miluki, Regiel, Bajtkowo, Laśmiady, Gorlo, Mrozy Wielkie, Woszczele.

For the main travel overview: Lyck.