About 68 km from Poza Zgiełkiem, in the forest near Gołdap, stand two monumental railway viaducts from the 1920s – so impressive that locals call them the "Masurian New York". Rising 36 metres above the Błędzianka valley, these brick-and-concrete colossi are today a bungee jumping venue and one of the most spectacular sights in northeastern Poland.
History – Prussian railways that never returned
The Stańczyki viaducts were built in 1923–1926 as part of the Prussian railway line from Gołdap to Żytkiejmy. Two parallel bridges – each 180 metres long and 36 metres tall – were engineering masterpieces of their era. The line mainly served the transport of goods and timber from surrounding forests. In 1944, faced with the advancing Red Army, the Germans destroyed the tracks, and after the war the line was never rebuilt. The viaducts remained – abandoned, overgrown with forest, but completely intact.
Bungee jumping and hiking trails
Today the viaducts are one of Masuria's greatest tourist attractions. In the summer season, a bungee jumping point operates here – a 36-metre jump from the bridge is an unforgettable experience surrounded by Masurian forest. Hiking and cycling trails around the viaducts wind through Rominten Heath – one of the most beautiful and wildest forests in Poland. The Błędzianka valley is particularly attractive in spring, when lush vegetation forms a green tunnel around the bridge walls.
How to get there and what to plan
Stańczyki is about 68 km from Poza Zgiełkiem, about an hour's drive through Węgorzewo and Gołdap. Entry to the viaduct area is free. Bungee jumping operates on weekends and public holidays during the summer – booking is recommended. Good walking shoes are advisable as the paths in the valley can be muddy. There is no shop or restaurant at the viaducts – bring provisions. A full-day trip: Węgorzewo – Gołdap – Stańczyki – return via Rominten Heath.
Visitor tip
The best view of both viaducts is obtained by descending the path into the Błędzianka river valley – from there the full perspective is most impressive. Early morning or evening hours are also a good time – mists rising from the valley create exceptional, cinematic shots.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons / Ciwir (Pawel Slowik) / CC BY-SA 4.0
