Gostynin: Lakes, Forests and Trails
Accommodation in Gostynin
Lakes, forests and distinctive buildings give Gostynin a varied character. The city lies at the transition between the Kutno Plain, the Kuyavian Lake District and the Płock Basin, in the catchment area of the Skrwa Lewa. There are 60 lakes around Gostynin, forming the geographical area of the Gostynin Lake District. During your stay, you can therefore consider whether you would mainly like to discover the landscape and nature, or also explore the city’s trails and architecture.
Lake Landscape and Protected Nature
Some of Gostynin’s forested areas are protected within the Gostynin-Włocławek Landscape Park. Various nature reserves protect different landscapes: Dolina Skrwy protects the gorge of the Skrwa Lewa and diverse forest communities, predominantly oak-hornbeam forests. The Drzewce Nature Reserve also protects oak-hornbeam forest communities, here in the ancient valley of the Skrwa Lewa.
The Lubaty Nature Reserve focuses on the natural landscape of Lake Lubaty and the surrounding bogs and forests; part of the lake lies within the protected area. Lucień, in turn, lies on the northern shore of Lake Lucieńskie. In addition to forested areas, the nature reserve includes a 50-metre-wide belt of reeds. These different protected areas offer concrete points of reference when choosing a nature outing: you can be interested in the landscape of a river gorge, forest communities, or the area around a lake with bogs and reeds.
Hiking Trails and a City Walk
The green “Leśna pętla” hiking trail is 15.5 km long. It runs from the market square in Gostynin via Lake Bratoszewo, Brzozówka, Zalesie and Lake Gaśno to Gostynin railway station. If you would like to include a clearly defined route in your day’s plans, its length is a useful guide. The yellow “Szlak rynnowych jezior polodowcowych” hiking trail runs from the station via Lakes Kocioł and Czarne, Ziejkowa and Lake Przytomne towards Lake Skrzyneckie. Another option is the southern section of the red “Bolesław Krzywousty” trail, which passes through Gostynin on its route from Płock to Kutno.
For a city walk, there is the “Miniszlak Wielokulturowego Gostynina”. It was established from July 2018 as a walkable circular route with 11 information boards at various points around the city. The boards tell the story of the Germans, Poles, Russians and Jews who once lived in Gostynin. The walk thus combines exploring the city with learning about its former cultural diversity, without requiring a longer hike to be the main focus.
Gostynin is also a point of reference for cyclists: the city is the central starting and finishing point of the local network of tourist cycling routes. Its circular routes explore the area around the city. If you would like to include cycling in your stay, you can use Gostynin as a reference point for these loops.
Architecture and Local Traditions
Several buildings bring the city’s history to life through specific details. The town hall was built in 1821–1824 and has a four-sided clock tower with an openwork crown. The brick residential building at Floriańska 14 dates from 1828; its façade features two Tuscan columns. The former inn at Rynek 16 was built in the 1820s on Baroque foundations and cellars dating from the 18th century.
Other stops offer different architectural highlights: the building of the Tadeusz Kościuszko Secondary School at 3 Maja 15 was constructed in 1904–1907. It retains its original architecture, with the exception of the historic roofline attics. The Kramów at Floriańska 23 was built around 1927 as a modern urban market hall or series of market stalls. St. James’s Chapel is a Neo-Gothic church dating from 1883–1886. Every year, on the last Sunday in July, it hosts a traditional, lively indulgence fair in honour of the Apostle James.
Water, Getting There and Choosing a Location
Throughout the summer holidays, there is a supervised municipal swimming area at the Bratoszewo waterside on Dybanka Street, open daily from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.; free pedal boats are also available. If water activities are important for your travel dates, you can take this seasonal period into account when planning.
The Kutno–Płock–Sierpc railway line operated by Koleje Mazowieckie runs through Gostynin. Several roads also meet here: Voivodeship Road 573 from Nowy Duninów to Żychlin, with Route 574 branching off from Szczawin Borowy to Gąbin, as well as Roads 265 to Kowal and 581 to Krośniewice. Holiday apartments in Gostynin may be especially suitable as a base if you would like to factor the city’s architecture and the nature and leisure opportunities described above into your choice of location.
For more places to consider, see the pages for Zwoleń, Kamieniec, Solec and Gostynin.
For the broader travel overview: Masovia.
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