Join us for a springtime stroll along intriguing trails of the Pomorskie region. The highlight of both hiking and cycling is nature. But you can mix business with pleasure and learn new things, as you will find that these trails are plenty of priceless natural monuments, historical relics, museums, and information boards for children and adults.
The Pomorskie Voivodeship is full of picturesque tourist trails. A comprehensive list of these trails is available, among others, at www.pomorskieszlakipttk.pl. We have chosen five. The list is entirely subjective, but we hope that it will inspire you to hike throughout the entire high season. You can try www.traseo.pl not to get lost.
The Path of the Slovincians — Slovincian National Park
This 38.7 km hiking trail, marked yellow on the map, leads through areas previously inhabited by the Slovincians (Kashubian indigenous people from that used to occupy the land near the lakes Gardno and Łebsko until the end of WWII). The trail begins near the marina at lake Gardno, initially going through fields and forests to the foot of Rowokół, a post-glacial hill with a natural preserve and a lookout tower on top. Make sure to stay awhile and enjoy the view. The trail continues through the village of Łupino and bridge on the river Łupawa.
The Natural Museum of Slovincian National Park is also along the way. Come inside if you’d like to learn more about the ecosystem of the park, or see the exhibition of archaeological digs. Further along the trail, you will come across boglands, a historical Slovincian cemetery, the Museum of Slovincian Countryside in the town of Kluki, former fishing settlement of Lisia Góra, the Stara Łeba river bed and the village of Żarnowska. The trail takes approximately 4 to 5 hours to complete.
Trail of Caves in Mechowo — The Coastal Landscape Park
The black hiking and cycling trail is 31.5 km long. It initially leads through old towns and along the path of Puck manor farms. It then continues through the northern part of Darżlubska Forest (Puszcza Darżlubska) to the village of Krokowa, the location of the restored castle of the Krokowski family. The trail has been named after the natural monument located along its path, unique system of caverns that attract large numbers of tourists to Pomorskie. The trail begins at the train station in Puck and continues through the town of Celbówko, where a historical mansion from 1885 is located. Next, you will visit the village of Darżlubie, located on the Pucka Mound (Kępa Pucka) and the edge of the Darżlubski Forest.
The village is renowned for its timber frame houses and a 19th century shrine, erected in honour of the village’s patron, Saint Rosalia. Going further along the trail you will reach the village of Mechowo, where the already mentioned caverns are located. The caverns are pretty tight, so although it is possible to enter them, you will have to exercise a bit, as well as watch your head. Along the trail, you will also see the glacial erratic called the Devil’s Stone (Diabelski Kamień) that is said to have been left there by the Devil himself, who had tried to destroy the nearby temple; the God’s Foot (Boża Stopka) boulder, and the lake Witalicz, glittering in the distance.
Słupia Valley Trail — Słupia Valley Lanscape Park
This hiking trail is known as a “yellow trail” and is about 94 km long, so unless you like extreme sports you’d better split the trip into several parts. You can also do part of the trail by bicycle. The city of Słupsk marks the beginning of the trail, which ends in the village of Rekowo. The main attraction is the picturesque river Słupia that can also be used as a waterway for a kayak or canoe. The very beginning of the trail will take you to the gorgeous park complex with a well-preserved, 19th-century manor. Dębnica Kaszubska, a village along the way, will greet you with a church built in 1584 and a 100-year-old, monumental yew tree.
Part of the trail leads through a pine forest, and when you reach the village of Gałąź Mała, you will be greeted by an 18th-century manor park with a historical hydropower plant. We especially recommend this trail to all those who’d rather enjoy their weekend close to nature and far away from people.
The Amber Trail
The theme of this yellow trail is amber. The entire route is about 35 km in length and leads from Otomin, through Kolbudy to Pruszcz Gdański. The first part of the trail wends its way through the forest of Otomin and the Bursztynowa Góra (Amber Mountain) nature reserve, where you can explore the former amber mine. In Pruszcz Gdański, the Faktoria International Baltic Culture Park will be waiting for you. There, you will learn about the tricks of the trade of former amber craftsmen.
The amber trail has also numerous hydropower plants along the way, located along the river Radunia. And if you arrive at lake Juszkowskie,, take a stroll along the promenade, which is several kilometres long and offers breath-taking views. The Juszkowo marina offers kayak and pedal boat rentals. The trail is fairly simple to finish, and most of its length can also be completed cycling.
The Kashubian Stone Circles Trail
This green trail can be taken up on foot or by bicycle, but you’re going to need to split it into several parts, as it is almost 93 kilometres in length. Most of it goes through the forest, so it’s perfect for people who’d like to contemplate nature. The highlight of the trail, as the name suggests, are the stone circles in Węsiory and Odry. The trail starts in Sierakowice, and its first part (roughly about 45 kilometres) runs from the town of Lipusz to the stone circles.
Firstly, you’ll be met with the scarcely wooded area of Kashubian Lake District (Pojezierze Kaszubskie). Then, you’ll enter the Charzykowska and Tucholska plains, from which you can admire the Wdzydze lakes and the woods of the Tuchola Forest (Bory Tucholskie). When you arrive at the stone circles in Węsiory, take at least an hour to explore the area. The Stone Circles Trail ends in Czarna Woda.