Pomerania

The Pomerania region is full of surprises, and not just on the map. The coastal strip with its beaches, cliffs and dunes of Słowiński National Park transitions seamlessly into the flat Żuławy lowlands, the meandering Vistula Valley, and further into the rolling hills of Kashubia and the quiet landscapes of Kociewie and Powiśle. This diversity is precisely what has made Pomerania one of Poland's key cycling regions — and for long-distance cyclists, it sits naturally on the route across Europe.

Three EuroVelo routes cross the region alongside the Vistula Cycling Route, and the Pomerania Cycling Trails project connects them into a cohesive network of routes that integrates the natural, cultural and scenic assets of the entire region.

Types of Cycling Routes

• Long-distance and international: EuroVelo 10/13 (Coastal Cycling Route and Iron Curtain Trail), EuroVelo 9 / Vistula Cycling Route
• Connecting routes (R10): Ustka–Słupsk, Karwieńskie Błota–Władysławowo–Hel, Jantar–Krynica Morska–Piaski, Przejazdowo–Pruszcz Gdański
• Local loops and variants: Żuławy loop near Cedry Wielkie, variant through Słowiński National Park along Lake Gardno

The routes combine very different characters, from family-friendly cycling on purpose-built coastal paths to unhurried active travel along the Vistula embankments and quiet Żuławy villages.

Cycling Infrastructure

The Pomerania Cycling Trails project involves the construction and modernisation of routes using several surface and road types. Depending on the section, cyclists can expect:

• dedicated asphalt cycle paths — dominant on urban and suburban sections, including the Tri-City, Łeba and Gdynia, as well as along the former railway embankment on the Krokowa–Swarzewo route
• concrete block or concrete slab surfaces — used on internal municipal roads and sections through protected natural areas
• natural aggregate dirt roads — typical of sections through Słowiński National Park and forested areas
• low-traffic public roads — on selected stretches between towns, signposted and adapted for cycling
• Vistula flood embankment crowns — asphalt-surfaced, allowing comfortable riding with river views along the entire EV9/WTR section

Along the routes, cyclist rest stops are gradually being established, equipped with shelters, benches, tables, information boards and bike racks. Some also have toilet facilities. The architecture of these structures draws on the local cultural heritage of each area, whether Żuławy, Kashubian or coastal.

Cyclist-Friendly Stops

The region is steadily expanding its network of certified cyclist-friendly points. Information boards and section maps are available along the full length of the routes, and catering and accommodation services catering to cyclists operate along the main trails. Transporting bikes by train is well developed — most EuroVelo route stages have access to railway stations, making it easy to plan flexible trips without having to retrace your route.

Suggested Rides — Top Routes

EuroVelo 10/13 — Coastal Cycling Route and Iron Curtain Trail

Pomerania's flagship route combines two European cycling routes into a single corridor, the Baltic Sea Cycle Route (EV10) and the Iron Curtain Trail (EV13). It runs along the region's entire coastline, from the border with West Pomeranian Voivodeship all the way to the Vistula Delta and Elbląg. The symbolism of the fall of communism in Eastern Europe comes alive here through the European Solidarity Centre in Gdańsk, giving the route a historical dimension with genuinely European cultural reach. The combination of coastal scenery with the region's ethnic heritage, Kashubian, Żuławy and Kociewie, creates a route that stands out on any touring map of the continent. The route is divided into six stages, passing through Ustronie Morskie, Rowy, Łeba, Władysławowo, Puck, Gdynia, Sopot and Gdańsk, all the way to Jantar and Nowy Dwór Gdański.

Vistula Cycling Route — Pomeranian Section

Within Pomerania, the Vistula Cycling Route follows the EuroVelo 9 alignment and runs along both the left and right banks of the Vistula, from Gdańsk and Mikoszewo to the border with Kuyavian-Pomeranian Voivodeship. The central theme is of course the "queen of Polish rivers," her natural landscape, cultural heritage and the history of the areas she flows through. A large portion of the route runs along the crowns of asphalt flood embankments, ensuring a comfortable surface and river views for almost the entire section. The route begins in central Gdańsk at the main PKP railway station, passing through the historic old town, the beaches of Sobieszewska Island and Żuławy villages, before reaching the riverside promenade in Tczew and continuing through Gniew with its Gothic castle. On the right bank, cyclists pass through the Żuławy landscape with its distinctive arcaded houses and Mennonite artefacts, while the section near Kwidzyn takes in historic locks and river canals. A calm, rural atmosphere prevails here, entirely different from the busy coastal shoreline, making it ideal for unhurried active travel. All stages are well connected by rail to the Tri-City, making flexible trip planning straightforward.

Connecting Route R10 — Karwieńskie Błota – Władysławowo – Hel

This connecting route along the Hel Peninsula is for those who love coastal scenery and the distinctive atmosphere of this narrow spit of land. It links the main EV10/13 trail with the northernmost tip of the Polish coast, offering exceptional panoramas both over the open sea and across the calm waters of Puck Bay. With good rail connections at Władysławowo and Hel, this makes an ideal one-day loop.

R10 Connector – Jantar – Krynica Morska – Piaski (Wisła Spit Cycling Route)

The Wisła Spit Cycling Route runs from the right bank of the Wisła near Mikoszewo, through Jantar, Kąty Rybackie, and Krynica Morska, all the way to the border with the Kaliningrad Oblast at Piaski. For almost its entire length, the trail winds through the forests of the Wisła Spit, between the Wisła Lagoon and the Gulf of Gdańsk, well away from motor traffic. The separation from cars and gentle terrain make this one of the most family-friendly routes in the region, passable even with a child trailer. The stretch near Krynica Morska is a clear highlight, where the path hugs the shoreline and opens up panoramic views across the Gulf of Gdańsk. The route ends at the Russian border – a barrier, an information board, and a beach with a view of the border fence disappearing into the sea.

Along the way, notable stops include the viewpoint shelter on the embankment at the Wisła mouth, the memorial site of the former Stutthof concentration camp, and the Wisła Spit Canal crossing, opened in 2022. One practical note worth remembering as you approach the end of the trail: near Piaski, mobile phones often pick up Russian network signals, which can result in significant roaming charges. Switching off mobile data before reaching the border area is a sensible precaution. The route connects with Velo Baltica (EV10/13) and the Wisła Cycling Route at Mikoszewo, while from Krynica Morska a water tram links to Tolkmicko and Frombork, opening up onward cycling via the Green Velo trail toward Elbląg.

• Słowiński National Park: One of the few national parks inscribed on UNESCO's list of biosphere reserves. Moving sand dunes, coastal lakes and wild nature create a one-of-a-kind setting.
• Cliffs at Dębina and Mechelinki: Scenic coastal bluffs — excellent viewpoints and photogenic rest spots along the EV10/13 route.
• Rozewie Lighthouse: One of the most recognisable symbols of the Polish coast, located along the R10 connecting route.
• Puck Bay and Kaczy Winkiel: Wide marine panoramas from the shallow, calm bay — an ideal spot for birdwatching and watching sailing boats.
• Beaches of Sobieszewska Island: Natural, less crowded beaches directly alongside the EV9 route, accessible from the first stage of the Vistula Cycling Route.

The Tri-City and Historical Heritage

• European Solidarity Centre in Gdańsk: A museum and cultural centre dedicated to the Solidarity movement and the fall of communism in Europe — a key landmark on the Iron Curtain Trail (EV13).
• Gdańsk Historic Old Town: Rich Hanseatic architecture, Długi Targ, the Crane and the Ołowianka footbridge — both EV9 and EV10/13 pass right through the city centre.
• Modernist Gdynia: A city built from scratch during the interwar period, preserving a remarkable architectural coherence. The waterfront promenade is one of the most pleasant stretches of the coastal route.
• Sopot's Wooden Pier: The longest wooden pier in this part of Europe — Stage 5 of EV10/13 passes through Sopot between Gdynia and Gdańsk.
• Vistula Riverside Promenade and Historic Bridges in Tczew: 19th-century bridges over the Vistula mark a spectacular end to the first stage of EV9/WTR.

Żuławy and Kociewie

• Arcaded Houses: Wooden and half-timbered houses with covered porches, characteristic of the Żuławy region — a unique architectural heritage visible along the EV9/WTR route.
• Mennonite Heritage: Dutch settlers left their mark through an irrigation system, distinctive architecture and cemeteries, found primarily across the Żuławy and Vistula Delta.
• Gniew Castle: A Gothic fortress above the Vistula, visible from the left-bank EV9/WTR route on the Tczew–Gniew stage.
• Locks and River Canals: Historic Vistula hydraulic infrastructure, accessible on the right-bank WTR section between Kończewice and Kwidzyn.

Kashubia and Powiśle

• Kashubian Cultural Heritage: The unique culture, language and traditions of Poland's only officially recognised ethnic minority — visible along EV10/13 sections through the Hel Peninsula and the Puck area.
• Beka Nature Reserve: A valuable nature reserve on the Hel Peninsula with a viewing tower and opportunities to observe migratory birds, accessible from the fourth stage of EV10/13.
• Rzucewo Palace: A neo-Gothic residence on Puck Bay, passed on the Karwieńskie Błota–Gdynia section.