Polish Travel [#18] - Where to Go Kayaking in Poland?

The approaching spring marks the beginning of the kayaking season in Poland. Kayak trips are being established in new locations and are becoming increasingly popular year by year. It is worth getting to know the most famous routes as well as those less discovered, offering moments full of attractions in the heart of nature.

Not only the charms of nature but also the improving infrastructure and the growing number of companies organizing activities contribute to the increasing number of interested participants and places adapted for this form of activity. Without further delay, we examine available locations where one can participate in a kayaking trip in an organized way:

1. MAŁOPOLSKA - kayak trips on the Dunajec - from Niedzica to Szczawnica - route length: 20 km, trip time: about 3 hours, Route 2 - Wietrznice - Stary Sącz - route length - about 25 kilometers, time required to complete - 3.5 hours, Route 3 - Szczawnica - Wietrznice near Łącka - about 22 kilometers, trip time - 3 hours.
2. LUBUSKIE - kayak trips on the Obrzyca - from Bojadła to Podlegórz - route length about 17 kilometers, trip time - about 2.5 hours.
3. POMORSKA - kayak trips on the Brda - from the village of Swornegacie to the town of Drzewicz - route length approximately 7 kilometers, trip time - about 1.5 hours. Route 2 - kayaking on the Chocina river - from the village of Zielona Chocina to Swornychgaci - route length - approximately 25 kilometers, time - about 6 hours. Route 3 - on the Zbrzyca river - from the town of Widno to Swornychgaci - route length - approximately 17 kilometers, time required to complete - about 4.5 hours. Route 4 - on the Brda river - from the village of Nowa Brda to Garbaty Most - route length - approximately 15 kilometers, time - about 4 hours. Route 5 - on Piaśnica - from Dmuchów to the sea - Dębki Beach - distance - 6.5 kilometers, time 2 hours.
4. LUBELSKIE - kayaking on the Wieprz - from Otrocza to Zwierzyńca - route length - about 7 kilometers, time required to complete the route - about 2 hours. Route 2 - on the Tanew river - from Osuch to Pisklak - route length - about 10 km, time required to complete the route - about 2.5 hours. Route 3 - on the Tanew - Pisklaki - Stare Króle - 17 kilometers, time about 3.5 hours. Route 4 - on the Bug (section of the so-called Polesie Valley of the Bug) - from Włodawa to Różanka (or even further to Kodnia) - route length - 10 kilometers, time needed to complete - 2 hours.
5. OPOLSKIE - kayaking on the Mała Panew river - Route 1 - Black Oak Trail - from the town of Kolonowskie to the village of Staniszcze Małe - route length 10 kilometers, duration - 2 hours. Route 2 - on the Mała Panew river - from the village of Zawadzkie to the village of Staniszcze Małe - route length 15 km, time required to complete - 4 hours.
6. PODKARPACKIE - on the Tanew - Route 1 - from Harasiuki to Ulanów - 22 kilometers, time 5-6 hours. Route 2 - on the San (kayaking possible only at low and medium water levels) - from Lesko to Sanok, route length - 24 kilometers, time 4-5 hours. Route 3 - on Trzebośnica - from Hucisko to Nowa Sarzyna - route length - 15 kilometers, time needed to complete - 3.5 hours.
7. MAZOVIA - Route 1 - on the Wkra - from Bolęcin to Jońca - 11 kilometers, 3 hours. Route 2 - on the Radomka river - from Brzóza to Ryczywół - 16 kilometers, 3.5 hours. Route 3 - on the Liwiec - from the village of Zaliwie Szpinki to the village of Wyszków - 16 kilometers, 4 hours.
8. ŁÓDZKIE - on the Pilica - Route 1 from the village of Maluszyn to Bobrownik - 18 kilometers, time 4.5 hours. Route 2 - on the Rawka - from Skierniewice to Bolimów Village - 18 kilometers, time about 6 hours.
9. GREATER POLAND - on the Rurzyca river - from the village of Trzebieszki to Krępska - route length 20 kilometers, time about 5 hours, Route 2 - On Gwda - from Krępska to Piła - 16 kilometers, time about 4 hours.
10. DOLNY SILESIA - on the Barycz - Potasznia - Milicz - 14 kilometers, time 4 hours. Route 2 - on the Barycz - Wąsosz - Osetno - 21 kilometers, 5 hours.
11. PODLASKIE - on the Czarna Hańcza - Route 1 - Stary Folwark - Maćkowa Ruda - 10 kilometers, about 2 hours. Route 2 - Maćkowa Ruda - Głęboki Bród - 14 kilometers, 3.5 hours.
12. ŚWIĘTOKRZYSKIE - on the Czarna Nida - Route 1 - Morawica - Chałupki Zbrzańskie - about 10 kilometers, time needed to complete - 2 hours.
13. WEST POMERANIA - on the Piława river - Route 1 - Sikory - Strzeszyn - length 12 kilometers, time needed to complete approximately 2.5 hours.
14. SILESIAN - on the Przemsza - Sławków - Maczki Stare - 10 kilometers, time about 2 hours.
15. Swaderki - Kurki - 7 kilometers, 2 hours. Route 2 on Marózka - Waplewo - Swaderki - 22 kilometers, time about 6.5 hours. Route 3 - on the Łyna river - Brzeźno Łyńskie - Kurki - about 10 kilometers, 2-3 hours.
16. KUYAVIA-POMERANIA - on the Brda - Route 1 - Woziwoda - Tuchola - 21 kilometers, time needed to complete - 4.5 hours.

In addition to one-day routes, there are longer trips, even week-long. These are organized with the support of a large group of companies and organizers operating in the tourism market in Poland. Just type the chosen route or the phrase - "starting point kayaking" - for example, "Szczawnica kayaking" into the search engine, and a complete list along with contact details of companies organizing trips in that region will appear.

Kayaking trips in Poland are primarily associated with the Masuria region, lakes, and the northeastern and southern parts of our country. As you can see, you can go kayaking on river trips in every voivodeship. Of course, apart from kayaking on rivers, you can also use kayaks on lakes, reservoirs, ponds, and all enclosed bodies of water. In every form, it is a full-of-attractions and endorphin-releasing opportunity to explore interesting places in Poland.

When going on a kayaking trip, it is essential to remember safety rules. Here are some important tips:

• Before starting the trip, valuables should be secured - wallet, keys, mobile phone (if we want or must have them with us) - water can get into the kayak, which will create overall humidity in it. A pouch, passport holder, or even a plastic bag can be helpful in protecting valuable items.
• Remember that the trip ends several kilometers from the starting point. It is worth logistically planning essential issues, especially for group trips. Organizers in most cases provide transportation to the starting point as part of the trip cost.
• It is advisable to wear comfortable, sporty clothing and footwear that won't be damaged by contact with water.
• If this is your first experience with a kayak, it is worth initially "feeling" the paddle and avoiding sudden, uncoordinated movements - this may result in a capsizing.
• It is crucial to remember to wear a life jacket and possibly a helmet.
• Avoid approaching shores, other kayaks, protruding logs, branches, etc., at close range.
• If there is a significant amount of water in the kayak, it should be regularly bailed out.
• The kayak should be oriented with the bow facing downstream.
• If you have questions - for example, regarding the difficulty of the route - it is worth asking the organizer or instructor.