Two distinctive landscapes alternate across Gdańsk County. To the west, the Gdańsk Heights stretch along the edge of the Kashubian Lake District, which is part of the Pomeranian Lake District. Gentle moraine terrain, small hills, lakes in ribbon valleys and forests characterize the area; the Radunia and its numerous tributaries form gorges and meanders. To the east lies Żuławy Gdańskie, in the catchment area of the Martwa Wisła and part of the larger Żuławy Wiślane area. These differences can be readily appreciated by looking at the protected landscapes and exploring the region’s trails.
The Żuławy Gdańskie Protected Landscape Area covers 27,491 hectares within Gdańsk County and protects the distinctive cultural landscape of Żuławy. The Radunia Valley Protected Landscape Area covers 925 hectares. It preserves the Radunia’s valley floor and slopes, as well as adjacent forest and agricultural land with basins and gorges. The county’s nature reserve inventory also includes Jar Reknicy, Bursztynowa Góra, Wyspa na Jeziorze Przywidz and Dolina Kłodawy.
Circular routes between lakes and ridges
Cyclists can choose from several circular routes with clearly distinct lengths and scenery. The 18.5-kilometre “Szlak Trzech Jezior” runs through the municipality of Przywidz, passing Lakes Przywidzkie Małe, Połęczyńskie and Głęboczko. The 12-kilometre “Wzgórza Przywidzkie” circular route leads mainly through forest along the municipality’s highest elevations and passes a barrow cemetery. Another loop, the 13-kilometre “Dolina Reknicy,” starts and ends in Przywidz and runs through the ice-marginal valley of Lake Głęboczko and the Reknica River.
The “Szlak Motławski” also offers clear guidance: it is 37 kilometres long in total, of which 24.7 kilometres lie within Gdańsk County. This section is flat and follows asphalt roads or concrete-slab paths with little car traffic. If you are considering a water trip instead of a cycling route, you can canoe along the Motława route from Gdańsk to Tczew; it passes through Gdańsk County.
Hydropower and architectural heritage
The “Szlak Elektrowni Wodnych” walking and cycling trail explores the history of technology. Along the Radunia, visitors can see eight hydroelectric power stations built between 1910 and 1937. Six of them form the river’s cascade. The facilities are considered remarkable examples of industrial architecture from the interwar period—a distinct point of interest alongside the landscapes and circular routes.
Several facets of cultural heritage come together on the 20-kilometre “Szlak Domów Podcieniowych.” The route is designated for walkers, cyclists and waterway travellers, and leads to seven arcaded houses, including the most imposing one in Trutnowy. Other sights include churches in Osice, Trutnowy and Koźliny, the ruins of a Gothic church in Steblewo, and an 18th-century granary in Koźliny. A half-timbered house with an arcade in Trutnowy offers a specific date in the region’s architectural history: the Dutchman Peter Lettahn built it for Georg Basener between 1720 and 1726.
The 34-kilometre “Szlak Śladami Mennonitów” offers a different historical perspective. Its stops include arcaded houses in Krępiec and Trutnowy, churches in Wróblewo and Kiezmark, a bell tower in Wiśliny and a Mennonite stele in Wocław. The landscape along the route is distinctive too: the Motława meanders between numerous canals and smaller waterways, while extensive meadows are dotted with willows typical of the region.
The Faktoria Handlowa adds an archaeological perspective and a glimpse into everyday life. It is a reconstruction of a trading settlement that existed around 2,000 years ago, as well as a modern exhibition and education centre. Archaeological finds related to the history of the Amber Road are presented there, alongside a depiction of everyday life in a settlement from the 1st century AD. Together with the hydraulic engineering works, arcaded houses and historic routes, it reveals a region where nature and culture can be explored in different ways.
Discover more destinations
Discover more destinations: Gdańsk, Swibno, Elganowo, Ostrowite, Straszyn, Pomlewo, Juszkowo, Postołowo, Kłodawa, Pruszcz Gdański, Koszwaly, Przejazdowo, Suchy Dąb, Łęgowo, Otomin, Grabiny-Zameczek, Cedry Wielkie, Pszczółki, Żukczyn, Miłowo, Ząbrsko Górne, Przywidz, Pręgowo Górne, Wiślina, Trzepowo, Cedry Małe, Buszkowy Górne, Kleszczewo, Warcz.
For the broader travel overview: Pomerania.
