The Trail of Ancient Tale
Route: Kruszwica – Różniaty – Notecki Canal – Pakość – Lake Mielno – Barcin – Pturek – Lake Kierzkowskie – Lake Ostrowieckie – Lake Foluskie – Lake Chomiąskie – Drewno – Lake Oćwieckie – Lake Biskupińskie – Lake Weneckie – Lake Skarbińskie – Lake Żnińskie Małe
The canoeing trail from Kruszwica to Żnin leads across ribbon lakes and the rivers Noteć, Foluska Struga, and Gąsawka. If the weather is mild with no wind, the trip should be quite easy. Problems can occur in a few places where you need to transport the equipment by hand or by bike or struggle in a reed-infested river. The trail is very attractive in terms of natural features and sights – to follow it is to be in for an unforgettable experience. The Pałuki section runs across lakes with tourist resorts on the shores. From the surface of the water you can see the famous gate in Biskupin in the grounds of the Archaeological Museum. It’s a good idea to also stop in Wenecja, the village where the Narrow-Gauge Railway Museum, castle ruins, and the Church of the Nativity of Our Lady can be seen. The trail ends in Żnin, where the market square and the Museum of Pałuki Land are well worth a visit.
The usual duration of the trip is three to five days: four days and three overnight stays seems to be the most popular option. It’s a good idea to divide the trail into four similar legs:
- Kruszwica – Łącko near Pakość (24 km),
- Łącko – Pturek (16 km),
- Pturek – Drewno (17 km),
- Drewno – Żnin (17 km).
At the 54th kilometre the canoes need to be carried for over 300 m across a steep slope that acts as a watershed between the Noteć and the Gąsawka. This task requires a lot of effort. The equipment can be launched on the southern shore of Lake Oćwieckie.
To avoid unpleasant surprises, we recommend using the services of canoe trip companies.
