Category: Outdoor Activities

Category: Outdoor Activities

Cycling in Poland

On your bike!

Cycling – updated 12 January 2023.

Cycling is a popular outdoor activity in Poland, with many dedicated bike trails and routes available for cyclists of all skill levels. Some popular cycling destinations in Poland include the Masurian Lake District, the Bieszczady Mountains, and the Sudetes Mountains. These areas offer a variety of scenic routes and challenging terrain for both road cycling and mountain biking.

Snow cycling Poland

Something to offer

Poland’s diverse landscapes, from coastal beaches, to rolling hills, to dense forests, and the Carpathian Mountains, offer a wide range of possibilities for cycling enthusiasts of all levels. Whether you’re a recreational cyclist looking for a leisurely ride or an experienced cyclist looking for a challenging ride, Poland has something to offer.

The cities in Poland also have a well-developed cycling infrastructure with many bike lanes, rental service, and guided tours.

Cycling in Poland

Bike paths and trails

Poland has a growing cycling culture, with many well-maintained bike paths and trails throughout the country. There are several popular cycling routes in Poland, including:

  • Green Velo: This is a network of over 4,000 km of bike paths that covers much of the country, from the Baltic Sea to the Tatra Mountains. The route includes a mix of paved roads, gravel roads and forest trails.

  • R-10: This route is a 1,100 km long path running along the Vistula River, from the Czech border to the Baltic coast. It is a perfect option for those who want to explore the countryside and towns along the river.

  • The Pomerania bike trail: This is a 600 km long path that runs along the coast of the Baltic Sea, from Świnoujście to Gdańsk. It’s a great option for those who love the sea and coastal landscapes.

  • The Karkonosze Mountains: This is a great place for mountain biking, with many well-marked trails and a variety of terrain, including forests, meadows, and rocky paths.

Green Velo

The Green Velo, which is a EuroVelo 9 route, is a popular long-distance cycling route that runs through Poland. It is around 2,300km long and runs from the German border in the west to the Ukrainian border in the east, passing through some of Poland’s most beautiful landscapes and historic sites along the way.

Flat land

There are large swathes of flat land in Poland; which makes cycling easy; however if you enjoy the challenge of hills, there are many places where you can enjoy great scenery and give yourself a good work-out at the same time.

Cycling in Poland

Białowieża Forest

Białowieża Forest is one of the most popular places to cycle. The favoured route is the northern part of the forest and also the areas to the west and north of Białowieża National Park.

Masuria

Cycling in Masuria can be very pleasant, the terrain is as flat as a pancake and the scenery can be very rewarding. There are 18 marked cycle routes with ranges to suit all abilities, you’ll find information in any of the tourist information offices.

Other great cycling areas include the Augustów Forest, Suwałki, the Bieszczady ranges and Szczawnica in the Pieniny.

Mountain Biking

Mountain bikers usually head to the Sudetes Mountains, in particular the area around the town of Szklarska Poręba. Karkonosze National Park provides many mountain-biking trails and is very popular with Polish extreme-sports enthusiasts.

Cycling events

There are many organized cycling events and tours in Poland, such as the Tour de Pologne, which is a professional road cycling race that takes place annually in late July or early August. Another popular event is the Tour of Masuria, which is a multi-day road race that takes place in the Masurian Lake District in north-eastern Poland.

Drinking & riding

A word of caution: drinking alcohol and cycling in Poland is a crime and the penalties are severe. The permissible level is 0.2 ml alcohol in 1 litre blood; which is lower than the UK.

Overall, Poland is a great place for cycling, with a wide range of options for road cycling, mountain biking, and long-distance touring.

Water Activities

Out on the water

Water Activities – updated 12 January 2023.

There’s a huge variety of Sailing, Canoeing, Kayaking & Rafting opportunities available in Poland. For those people who enjoy getting out on the water, there are many options to choose from.

Water Activities

Sailing in Poland

Poland has a long coastline on the Baltic Sea, which offers a great opportunity for sailing. The Masurian Lake District in north-eastern Poland is particularly popular for sailing, as it is home to many lakes, making it ideal for sailors of all levels.

The lakes are connected by canals and rivers, allowing sailors to explore the beautiful Lakeland scenery. The Masurian Lake District is also home to many sailing clubs and marinas, which offer boat rental and sailing lessons. It is possible to enjoy two weeks on the water without visiting the same lake twice.

Known as the Polish Lake District, this impressive network of interconnected lakes offers sailors excellent facilities including a great choice of sailboats for hire with the most popular places to do so being Giżycko and Mikołajki.

Baltic coast

The Baltic coast also offers good sailing opportunities, especially in the summer months. There are several marinas and sailing clubs along the coast, which offer boat rental and sailing lessons. The main sailing centers are located in Gdansk, Gdynia, and Sopot.

The 870 square kilometre bay at Szczecin is the most popular place to sail and is shared by Germany and Poland.

There are also many historic and cultural sites to visit, such as the medieval town of Malbork, which is located on the coast, and the port city of Gdansk, which is known for its rich history and architecture.

Sailing events

Additionally, Poland is also home to several major sailing events, such as the Copernicus Cup regatta, which takes place in Gdynia, and the Sopot Regatta, which takes place in Sopot. These events attract sailors from all over the world and offer a great opportunity to see some of the best sailors in action.

License to sail

If you’re going to sail, you’ll need a license, which you can obtain by completing a course with the Polish Sailing Association. If you have a license issued by the RYA, then that will be accepted too. Without a license, you will only be permitted to use small inland sailing vessels (a sailing yacht with hull length up to 7.5 m or a motor yacht with 10kW engine power). Alternatively, you can hire a larger vessel complete with skipper.

Water Activities

Canoeing, Kayaking & Rafting

There’s an incredible variety of places in Poland where you can get paddling. The Lakeland areas such as Masuria, Kashubia and Warmia contain thousands of lakes and rivers, there’s also canals, various river tributaries and bogs that you could choose.

Masurian Lakes

If the Great Masurian Lakes is your preference, then a good starting point is Olsztyn, located on the Łyna River. There are plenty of companies, which organise trips, guides and equipment. A popular canoeing trip from Olsztyn is to paddle up the Łyna River to the border of Russia’s Kaliningrad exclave.

Water Activities

Krutynia River

By far, the most popular canoeing route in Masuria is the Krutynia River, which is considered by many paddling enthusiasts as being the most scenic river in the north of Poland. The recommended starting point is Sorkwity and you should follow the river and Lake Bełdany to Ruciane-Nida, a well-known tourist centre within the Masurian Lake District. The route takes you through 100km of some of the best scenery in Poland.

Drweca River

Another interesting Mazurian route is that of the Drweca River which is one of the clearest rivers in Poland. It is about 200 km long. It starts at Ostroda, flows through forests and wildlife reserves, and goes all the way to the Vistula River near Torun. Comfortable sites for camping are found on both riverbanks. There is an annual “International Canoe Trip on Drweca river”, which is popular among canoeists from many countries.

Czarna Hańcza route

Away from Masuria, you will find other good places to paddle. The Czarna Hańcza route from Augustów to Lake Serwy is extremely popular and includes the 180-year-old Augustów Canal, the Suwałki Lake District and the Augustów Forest.

National Parks

Many paddling favourites can be found in Poland’s National Parks such as the Biebrza River, which runs through Biebrza National Park, Lake Wigry in the Wigry National Park, the Narew River in the Narew National Park and Brda River in the Bory Tucholskie National Park. Experienced kayakers can often be found navigating the Drawa Route, which runs through Drawa National Park.

Mountain rivers

Kayakers looking for that special, intense experience should go down one of the three true Mountain rivers, best suited for kayaking. For example, the Bialka running through Tatry and Podhale – horrifyingly cold, rushing, foamy and strewn with granite rocks.

Dunajec Gorge

If a leisurely rafting trip (no white-water) is your cup of tea, then the Dunajec Gorge in the Pieniny is recommended. Experienced tourists can seek adventures along more challenging whirls and rocks of mountain rivers. Kayak trips for groups are organised on the Dunajec River, which seems to be the best choice, also because of its picturesque gorges in the Pieniny Mountains.

FAQ – Sailing in Poland

  1. What is the best time of year to sail in Poland?
  • The best time to sail in Poland is typically between May and September, when the weather is warm and stable.
  1. Can foreigners sail in Poland?
  • Yes, foreigners are welcome to sail in Poland. Some marinas and charter companies may require sailors to have valid international sailing certificates or licenses.
  1. Are there any restrictions on sailing in Poland?
  • There are some restrictions on sailing in Poland, such as speed limits in certain areas, and certain waterways may be closed to navigation due to low water levels or other factors. It is important to check local regulations and obtain any necessary permits before setting out on a sailing trip in Poland.
  1. What kind of sailing conditions can I expect in Poland?
  • The sailing conditions in Poland vary depending on the region and the time of year. The Baltic Sea coast is generally flat with light winds, while the lakes and rivers in the interior can have more variable conditions. It is important to check the weather forecast and plan accordingly.
  1. Are there any must-see sailing destinations in Poland?
  • Some popular sailing destinations in Poland include the Masurian Lakes, the Hel Peninsula, and the Pomeranian coastline. The Szczecin Lagoon and the Vistula River are also popular among sailors.
  1. How to rent a boat in Poland?
  • There are several options for renting a boat in Poland, including charter companies and private boat owners. You can find rental options online, or by contacting marinas or tourist information centers. Some rental companies may require a deposit or proof of sailing experience and certification.

Dunajec river gorge rafting and tree top walk from Krakow

Slowinski National Park private guided tour

Head to southern Poland’s most picturesque district for a rafting trip on the Dunajec River and walk through the treetops of Slovakia.

Rush through the waters of the Dunajec river and feel the adrenaline rushing through your body. After admiring the scenery from the water, you will head up into the air. Walk the treetop walk in Slovakia and discover the Tatra region – Book tickets

Kampinos National Park

Kampinos

Kampinos National Park – updated 09 January 2023.

The Park begins just outside Warsaw’s north-western administrative boundary and is known locally as Puszcza Kampinoska. It stretches west for around 40km and is one of the largest National parks in Poland. It is the only national park in Poland that is entirely located within just one province (the Masovian Voivodeship).

Kampinos National Park

UNESCO

Created in 1959, Kampinos National Park covers just over 385 km² of which 46.38 km² is strictly protected and it was added to UNESCO’s list of biosphere reserves in January 2000.

The park is also known for its historical and cultural heritage, which includes many ancient pagan shrines, as well as a number of historic buildings and landmarks, such as the Palace in Ciechanów.

Diverse landscapes

The park is characterized by its diverse landscapes, which include forests, meadows, marshes and several small rivers. The Park is also known for its many small lakes and is home to a variety of wildlife, including deer, wild boar, beaver and many species of birds.

Forests account for around 70% of the park’s area, and the most common tree is the pine followed by oak.

The park offers visitors a wide range of recreational opportunities, such as hiking, cycling, horseback riding and water sports, as well as fishing, bird watching and nature photography. The Park offers many educational trails and paths, and it also contains a number of shelters and cabins that are available for visitors to stay overnight.

Hiking & cycling

Kampinos is very popular with Warsaw’s hikers and cyclists, who take advantage of its 300km of marked walking and cycling trails. The eastern part of the park is favoured by walkers as it’s accessible by public transport; the western part is less visited. The park is visited by 1 million tourists each year.

Kampinos National Park

Flora & fauna

There’s around 1245 species of plants within the park, of which 69 are protected.

The park includes Europe’s largest area of inland sand dunes, mostly pine tree covered and up to 30m high. Other parts of the park are barely accessible peat bogs that shelter much of its animal life. According to biologists, there are 16,000 species of animals, of which the most numerous are insects and birds. Numerous animals have been reintroduced into the park including moose, beaver and lynx and today, 83 species of animal in the park are regarded as endangered.

Tourists

Tourists are welcome on the Park’s walking, cycling, horseback and skiing trails. In addition to  half day and one day hikes, there are two long trails that traverse the entire length of the park, both starting from Dziekanów Leśny on the eastern edge of the park. The red trail (54km) ends in Brochów, and the green one (51km) in Żelazowa Wola.

Accommodation

Bivouac sites designated for camping are the only accommodation options within the park’s boundaries, but there are hotels close by in Czosnów, Laski, Leszno, Tułowice and Zaborów.

Events

Many important events have taken place in Kampinos National Park and reminders of Poland’s turbulent past are numerous including tombs of insurrectionists from the 1863 anti-Russian uprising, war cemeteries from Polish German war of 1939 and tombs of members of anti-German resistance (1944–45).

Kampinos National Park is open year-round, but some facilities may be closed during the winter months. It’s a popular destination for nature lovers, hikers and those interested in the history and culture of the region, it is also an important natural area for the city of Warsaw.

FAQ

Here are some frequently asked questions about Kampinos National Park in Poland:

Where is the Park located?
Kampinos is located in central Poland, about 45 kilometers west of Warsaw.

What is the history of Kampinos National Park?
The Park was established in 1959 and is one of the oldest national parks in Poland. It was created to protect the unique natural and cultural values of the Kampinos Forest, which is one of the largest remaining primeval forests in Europe.

What can I do in the National Park?
There are many activities available in Kampinos, including hiking, biking, horseback riding, and birdwatching. The park is also home to many rare and protected species, including European bison, lynx, and beavers. There are also several historical and cultural attractions within the park, including the ruins of a medieval castle and several churches.

Is Kampinos open year-round?
Kampinos National Park is open year-round, but some facilities and services may be closed or have reduced hours during the winter months.

How do I get to the National Park?
The easiest way to get to Kampinos is by car, as the park is not easily accessible by public transportation. From Warsaw, you can take the S8 expressway and then follow the signs for the park. There is also a regional bus that goes from Warsaw to the park, but it only operates on weekends and holidays.