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Gostynińsko-Włocławski Landscape Park, fot. Mikołaj Kuras for UMWKP
Gostynińsko-Włocławski Park Krajobrazowy. Fot. Mikołaj Kuras dla UMWKP

Gostynińsko-Włocławski Landscape Park – relaxation in the forest and by the lake

More than 40 lakes, numerous hiking trails and cycling routes, nearly 800 plant species, rare bird species – these are just some of the tourist and nature values of the Gostynińsko-Włocławski Landscape Park that make it a good place for a holiday. Moreover, the park is an important element of the natural ecological corridor connecting the Kampinos National Park with the Bydgoszcz Forest and further with the Tuchola Forest.

 

„Landscape parks are the natural and tourist wealth of our region. They are made up of magnificent nature with rare plant and animal species, attractive places for hiking and water tourism, and interesting material evidence of cultural heritage. Each of our parks is worth a visit, and the charm of these places makes many people eager to return”, admits Marshal Piotr Całbecki.

 

Gostynińsko-Włocławski Landscape Park was established in 1979 in regions: Kujawsko-Pomorskie (municipalities: Włocławek, Kowal and Baruchowo) and Mazowieckie (municipalities: Nowy Duninów, Łąck, Gostynin). Headquarters of the Park are in Kowal in Kujawsko-Pomorskie Region.

 

There are more than 40 lakes in the park. During summertime, the bathing site and beaches on Wikaryskie, Wójtowskie, Soczewka and Lucieńskie Lakes are popular. The sailing marina on Ciechomice Lake welcomes sailors, while canoeists can conquer the waterway on Skrwa Lewa from Lubieńskie Lake. In turn, Rakutowskie Lake and the surrounding wetlands have been entered in the register of international areas of value for birds, especially wetlands.

 

Unique in the world is Gościąż Lake, at the bottom of which sediments accumulate every year and have remained undisturbed for 13,000 years, neither by natural factors nor by human activity.

 

Among the many bird species found in the park are those endangered as well, including black stork, crane, ruff and corncrake. For years, Bird Rehabilitation and Breeding Centre operated in the park, where mainly birds of prey were treated and rehabilitated. The centre has succeeded in reintroducing some 2,000 individuals to nature, including bald eagles, ospreys, several species of owls, harriers and buzzards. In 1991, the park saw the first introduction of the perigrine falcon in Central and Eastern Europe. The European beaver (which was successfully reintroduced in 1981) and the lynx can also be found in the park. The latter probably came to the area from as far away as the Kampinos National Park. An ornithological camp has been held at Rakutowskie Lake, on the edge of the village of Krzewent, for several years. It is organised by the Bird Ringing Station, “Rakutowskie”, run by scientists from the Jagiellonian University in Kraków.

 

The qualities of the park can be explored via numerous hiking and nature trails. There are also paths suitable for horse riding and cycling. Information about current events, including educational activities for children and young people conducted in the Rydzykowy Zakątek Educational Garden in Kowal can be found on the park’s Facebook fanpage.  

 

Gostynińsko-Włocławski Landscape Park in numbers:

  • the area of the park – over 38,8 thousand ha, of which 22,2 thousand ha (over 57 per cent) lies in the Kujawsko-Pomorskie Region,
  • over 60 percent of the area is covered by forests,
  • more than 30 lakes are located in the park,
  • you can explore the qualities of the park by following 9 cycling routes and 8 hiking trails,
  • within the Park there are about 80 species of vascular plants.

 

There are currently 10 landscape parks in Kujawsko-Pomorskie, for which the region’s self-government is the managing authority:

  • Wdecki Landscape Park
  • Brodnicki Landscape Park
  • Gostynin-Włocławek Landscape Park
  • Górznieńsko-Lidzbarski Landscape Park
  • Krajeński Landscape Park
  • Nadgoplański Millenium Landscape Park
  • Tucholski Landscape Park
  • The Association of Landscape Parks “Lower Vistula Valley” (former name: The Association of Chełmiński and Nadwiślański Landscape Parks), comprising three parks:
    • Chełmiński Landscape Park
    • Nadwiślański Landscape Park
    • Góry Łosiowe Landscape Park

 

Beata Krzemińska

Spokesperson of the Marshal’s Office

 

13 July 2023

Last updated: 31 July 2025