Cycling routes in West Pomerania

West Pomerania offers cyclists a diverse network of routes along the Baltic coast, through forests, past lakes and across small towns. The trails in this region are free from significant elevation changes, making them accessible to a wide range of riders. Particularly worth exploring are the sections running along the Baltic Sea, the area around the Szczecin Lagoon, and the Drawsko Landscape Park.

The cycling routes across West Pomerania are designed to connect with one another, allowing you to plan a trip that suits your own pace and preferences. The network continues to grow, with new sections of dedicated cycle paths opening every year.

Along the routes, you'll find the Cyclist-Friendly Places (MPR) programme, a regional certification scheme for accommodation, restaurants and service points that cater to cyclists. Certified MPR venues offer secure bike storage, repair facilities and basic maintenance supplies. Self-service repair stations with tools and air pumps are also available at regular intervals along the routes.

The flagship route of the region is Velo Baltica, though each trail has its own distinct character and takes you through a different part of West Pomeranian Voivodeship.

The Best Cycling Routes in West Pomerania

1. Velo Baltica

Velo Baltica is the West Pomeranian section of two international cycling routes: EuroVelo 10 (the Baltic Sea Cycle Route, marked R10) and EuroVelo 13 (the Iron Curtain Trail). This dual identity gives the route a distinctive character: it follows not only the Baltic coastline but also traces the historical events of the Cold War, passing through territories that once marked the border between East and West.

The route winds through nature reserves, forests and alongside lakes, keeping close to the coast throughout. In summer, you can stop for a swim or a beach break at any point, including wild beaches accessible almost exclusively to cyclists. Velo Baltica works equally well as a day trip with the family or a multi-day touring adventure. The route is well prepared in terms of surface quality, signage and the availability of accommodation and food. It is also the best route in the region for cyclists new to cycle touring, straightforward, safe and highly recommended for families with children.

The best starting point is Świnoujście. Highlights along the way include:

• Fort Gerhard in Świnoujście, a 19th-century coastal fortification
• The Walk of Stars and the pier in Międzyzdroje
• The European Bison Show Reserve in Międzyzdroje, the only such facility on the Polish coast
• The V3 Bunker / mini weapons museum in Międzyzdroje, a trace of military history
• Wolin National Park, free to cycle through
• The ruins of the church in Trzęsacz, slowly sliding towards the sea
• Lighthouses in Niechorze and Gąski
• Hortulus Spectabilis Gardens in Będzino, a themed garden just off the route
• The Castle of the Pomeranian Dukes in Darłowo, a Gothic residence with a rich history
• The Sports Walk of Stars in Dziwnów

Self-service repair stations are positioned along the entire route, and many stops carry the MPR certification. The section between Kołobrzeg and Mielno sees heavy tourist traffic during summer. Beyond Mielno, the route moves away from the shoreline and becomes noticeably quieter.

2. The Old Railway Trail

The trail officially begins in Kołobrzeg and ends in Skrzatusz, near Piła in the Greater Poland region. It follows the course of a former narrow-gauge railway line. The fully completed and well-signed section currently runs from Białogard to Złocieniec, while a comfortable cycle path connects Kołobrzeg with Karlino. Plan stops at the numerous palaces, churches and old railway stations scattered along the route.

Parts of the trail follow the former railway trackbed with remnants of original stations, while other sections use public roads with light to moderate traffic. Construction is not yet fully complete, with new dedicated cycle path sections being added progressively. Thanks to its railway origins, the route features gentle, gradual gradients throughout, making it a good option for family trips.

One of the trail's greatest highlights is the Drawsko Landscape Park, its mix of glacial lakes, peat bogs and forest stands in striking contrast to the flatlands elsewhere in the region. The majority of the surface is asphalt or gravel. The most challenging stretch is the final few kilometres, where unsurfaced field tracks take over. An alternative variant runs from Mielno to Białogard via Koszalin. At Złocieniec, the Old Railway Trail connects with the Western Lake District Route.

3. Szczecin Lagoon Cycling Route

The Szczecin Lagoon Cycling Route (Stettiner Haff Rundweg) is a Polish-German trail forming a loop encircling the Szczecin Lagoon. The official starting point is Szczecin, though since the route is circular, you can join it at any point along the way.

The eastern section overlaps with the Blue Velo route, and many stretches offer direct views over Lake Dąbie and the Szczecin Lagoon. A significant stretch of the eastern section runs on the German side, passing through Usedom Island among other places. The western section partially follows the long-distance Oder-Neisse route, which runs along the Polish-German border. To the north, the trail connects with Velo Baltica.

The route alternates between stretches along the lagoon's banks and sections crossing agricultural land and forest, particularly within Wolin National Park with its stands of beech trees. Key stops worth planning in include Szczecin, Międzyzdroje, Świnoujście and Wolin on the Polish side, and Anklam and Ueckermünde across the border in Germany. The surface consists of a mix of gravel tracks, dedicated cycle paths and quiet public roads.

4. Western Lake District Route

The Western Lake District Route begins at the bridge in Siekierki on the Polish-German border. This repurposed old railway bridge serves as a viewing point over the Oder River and the Kostrzyn floodplains. The trail passes through Trzcińsko-Zdrój, Choszczno, Drawsko Pomorskie, Borne Sulimowo and Szczecinek before ending near Miastko.

The route is still being developed, so surface quality and signage vary depending on the section. The best-prepared stretch is the Siekierki to Ińsko section forming the southern part of the trail. The remaining sections are better suited to more experienced cyclists due to rougher surface conditions.

The trail passes through five landscape parks. Dedicated asphalt cycle paths built on former railway corridors connect the Myślibórz, Choszczno, Ińsko, Drawsko and Szczecinek lake districts. In early autumn, you may hear the call of rutting deer. The numerous wetlands along the way are home to a wide variety of bird species. This is a route running primarily through unspoilt nature and small villages, with little traffic, suited to those looking for quiet riding and a close connection with the natural environment. It connects with the Oder-Neisse trail, the Old Railway Trail and the Greenways, Necklace of the North route.

New Cross-Border Connection: Berlin – Szczecin – Kołobrzeg Route

As part of an Interreg co-funded project running until 2027, a new cross-border cycling route is being developed linking Berlin with Szczecin and Kołobrzeg. The aim is to create a joint Polish-German tourism product aimed at cyclists from both countries as well as international visitors discovering West Pomerania. The route complements the existing trail network and serves as a natural connection between Velo Baltica and the continental hinterland.