EuroVelo 9/ Vistula Bicycle Route – stage 1- left bank of the Vistula

Logistics

In terms of communication, it is the most accessible part of the EuroVelo 9/Wistula Bicycle Route. Both Gdansk and Tczew serve regional and national rail connections. You can get to the Tri-City via Tczew from almost anywhere in Poland. Additionally, there is an international airport in Gdansk. Both cities are separated by over 30 km, counting the shortest distance along the national road 91, so transport on this section is not a problem.

Characteristics, the trail and the hints

The route runs through the city of Gdansk, the rural communes of Pruszcz Gdanski, Cedry Wielkie, Suchy Dab, Tczew and the city of Tczew. At this stage, EuroVelo 9 is the closest to the Vistula River on the entire Pomorskie section of the Vistula Bicycle Route. Apart from the access from the railway station in Gdansk to Swibno on the Sobieszewska Island (approx. 20 km from the station), along the entire stretch to Tczew itself, the Vistula River is within the sight of a cyclist at all times. The route on this fragment runs entirely along the dyke embankment, which has a very positive effect on the landscape attractiveness of the trip. It is safe to say that this is one of the most scenic sections of the bicycle route in our country. An additional value is the asphalt surface, which makes driving very pleasant and the wind that often blows here does not bother you so much. An interesting fact here is a short fragment with a blue asphalt colour, which symbolizes the former Vistula bed existing in this place.

The access section to the main part of the Vistula Cycling Route, starting in Gdansk Swibno, is also of high quality. Through the centre of Gdansk, EuroVelo 9 runs in the same way as EuroVelo 10/13, with the difference that the beginning of the “nine” is at the main railway station. The routes meet at the intersection of Weglarska and Panska Streets, approx. 700 m from the train station. From that moment on, they follow the same route to Swibno. Leaving the centre of Gdansk, the route uses bicycle roads with an asphalt surface and concrete cubes. A short section in the industrial area runs along an asphalt road with general traffic (Sitowie Street and a fragment of Elblaska Street).

In Tczew, the first stage of EuroVelo 9 ends at the railway station, but it is still worth getting to the Vistula boulevard near the historic bridges. The route does not reach the very center of the city. In the suburbs, it descends from the dyke embankment and uses bicycle paths and short sections of public roads to reach the station. The best way to get to the historic part of Tczew is from the boulevard, turning into Sambor Street.

In addition, stage I of EuroVelo 9 has two access sections to the main route. The first is the connector with Pruszcz Gdanski, which runs similarly to EuroVelo 10/13 and fulfils communication functions. It goes from the railway station in Pruszcz Gdanski to Przejazdowo. The second is the loop in the Cedry Wielkie commune, which gives you the opportunity to plan trips around Gdansk Low Lands.

Mapa EV9/WTR - Etap 1 - lewy brzeg Wisły

Download the section map in PDF format here

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Dedicated parking spaces

• Gdansk Sobieszewo Island – in Przegalina on a promontory by the Vistula River (planned place).
• Kiezmark – on the Vistula embankment next to the building of the former watchtower (shed, bench, bicycle racks, information board).
• Giemlice – at the junction of two flood embankments (canopy, bench, bicycle racks, information board) .
• Tczew Boulevard – on the Vistula Boulevard with a view of historic bridges (information board, toilet).

Possible difficulties:

There are practically none. Perhaps driving through the Main Town of Gdansk may be inconvenient for some people due to fragments of the old cobblestone surface or possible street repairs. It should also be borne in mind that Gdansk is a tourist city and pedestrian traffic in the city center is high during the season. The entire section from Swibno to the borders of Tczew leads through an open area on the crown of the Vistula embankment. This is due to the possibility of winds. In the case when the wind is particularly troublesome, you can use parallel roads located on the footing or footing of the embankment. Then we gain protection against the wind, but we give up the scenic values and the asphalt surface. Concrete slabs and aggregate were used on the base or footing of the embankment. There is also a possibility of going down to Low Land villages in the vicinity. There are appropriate markings on the route directing to the exits.