8 Kolobrzeska, Bydgoszcz, Poland
Swimming season in Polish lakes starts between the 31st of May and the 25th of June and ends between the 26th of August and the 14th of September. It is the longest in Wielkopolska Lake District (e.g. Góreckie Lake 103 days, Sławskie Lake 102 days) and is the shortest at Pomorskie and Mazurskie Lake Districts (Charzykowskie Lake 72 days, Hańcza Lake 67 days). The most popular water sports in Poland are swimming, boat rowing, kayaking, pedal boats, sailing and fishing (more information about fishing regions here).
Artificial lakes are mainly situated in the central and southern Poland.
Interesting examples of lakes by ITS-Poland DMC:
It will allow you to enjoy our lakes beauty. Due to the last ice sheet covering Poland during the last ice age the north of Poland is very reach in lakes. In Mazury Lake District lakes cover 7% of the whole area. Here we will also find two the biggest Polish lakes Śniardwy and Mamry. Apart from them the region boasts the most famous tourist basins such as: Niegocin, Nidzkie Lake, Roś and Tałty. There are 2 700 lakes that are bigger than 1 hectare here. In the area we will also be able to observe the most interesting Polish mammals such as: an European bison, moos, beaver, deer, wild boar, hare, wolf, lynx, fox, and badger. In Mazury region there are many sailing trails, kayaking routs and trekking trails. All that thanks to multitude of lakes, rivers, streams and well developed network of canals which join the lakes into complex water network. The most popular resorts include: Mikołajki, Ruciane Nida, Mrągowo, Pisz, Szczytno, Biskupiec and Lidzbark Warmiński. Mazury is one of the most important tourist regions in Poland and worth visiting especially by water sports enthusiasts.
Morskie Oko (Sea Eye) in the Tatra National Park is the biggest and the most beautiful lake in Zakopane area (lake length is 862 meters, width 568 meters, depth 51.8 m). The waters of Morskie Oko are turquoise in colour and the lake itself is surrounded by the highest peaks in the Polish Tatra Mountains. The lake is at 1 395 meters above sea level but it is fairly easy to get there. Although the trail to it has about 8 km it is a tarmac road with very gentle slope. For those tourists that cannot walk that far, it is possible to go there by a horse cart driven by a native Polish highlander in a traditional folklore outfit. Just by the lake there is also mountain hostel where you can spend some relaxing time eating delicious meal and admiring outstanding view. We also recommend using the trail around the lake as it offers spectacular views.
This lake is surrounded by magical moving sand dunes. It is located Słowińskie Seashore, in the communes of Wicko and Smołdzino. It is one of the three largest lakes in Poland - it covers an area of over 71 km2. Although its area is constantly decreasing, which is due to, among others, quicksand. To this day, it is located approx. 300 m above sea level. The lake is home to many beautiful plant species, incl. white water lilies or yellow water lilies. In summer, you can go on a passenger cruise on the lake, during which you can admire the Kashubian culture and visit, for example, the Museum of the Słowińska Village.
Czorsztyn Lake is an artificial water body which exists thanks to construction of the dam at Dunajec River. The lake has a very picturesque location between two highland areas: Pieniny and Gorce Mountains. Depending on the level of water the lake has from 4.15 to 13.35 km2. With the highest level of water the length of the coast line is 29.7 km. Apart from the obvious tourist positive aspects of the lake such as possibility of bathing, sailing, fishing or diving, the great values include also two castles at the banks of the lake: Niedzica castle and Czorsztyn ruins. Both buildings are available for tourists and the also look marvellous during lake cruises. Moreover, the dam itself has become an enormous attraction. Its height is 56 m, length 400 m and width 7m. In one of the towns by the lake coast Kluszkowce, there is an ethnographical museum. Czorsztyn lake is a place really worth visiting when you are in Małopolska region.
Lakes are not long lasting geological phenomena. It is estimated that 2/3 of the lakes within the younger glacial area have already disappeared in Poland, overgrown by vegetation. Now, they constitute only 1% of all lakes. Only the youngest glacial zone (out of three in Poland) still exists and is a source of joy for tourists in northern Poland. Where lakes disappear swamps and wetlands develop (8% of Poland’s area). This fact is one more reason to see the lakes soon. If you want to see the charms of Poland, go on a journey along the route of the most beautiful lakes. From the land of the Great Thousand Lakes, through the majestic Pieniny and Tatra Mountains. Contact ITS Poland, local DMC company and start planning your trip with us.
Author: Agnieszka Szwedzińska
Date: 5.01.2021
