Bicycle suburbs of Gdansk – Otomin

Don't have time for a long trip out of town, but want to breathe in fresh, forest air? There is no shortage of green areas surrounding Gdansk. This time we propose the area around Otomin Lake located on the outskirts of Gdansk.

Cycling suburbs of Gdańsk - Otomin, photo: P. Książek / Pomorskie.travel

Cycling suburbs of Gdańsk - Otomin, photo: P. Książek / Pomorskie.travel

The loop begins at the Wroblowka restaurant at the barrier at the entrance to the forest. This is also where the “Freedom is in the Nature” cycling trail begins.

Cycling suburbs of Gdańsk - Otomin, photo: P. Książek / Pomorskie.travel

Cycling suburbs of Gdańsk - Otomin, photo: P. Książek / Pomorskie.travel

During the trip, we partially ride the “Freedom is in the Nature” trail and along forest paths and local roads with low traffic, and although most of the route runs along paved sections, we recommend a mountain bike, and for more experienced cyclists, a trekking or gravel bike. In places, the surface is sandy, and the roots in the forest can be quite a challenge for narrower tires.

Leśne przedmieścia Gdańska, Otomin, fot. P. Książek / Pomorskie.travel

We set off towards Sulmin

Sulmin a small village in Kaszuby, the only town on the route. After about 7 km, we reach a neo-Gothic historic church, where the Sulmin Gallery is located. Admission to the gallery is possible after prior arrangement with the owners. While in Sulmin, it is worth mentioning the Gralath family, whose members have made history not only in the village, but also in Gdansk. Daniel Gralath, the mayor of the city of Gdansk, is credited with co-founding the Gdansk Nature Society. It was also thanks to his decision that the planting of several hundred lime trees began along today’s Zwyciestwa Avenue, also known as Linden Avenue. Also in Sulmin, we can visit the Gralath family tomb, where eight or nine family members are buried.

Asphalt road connecting Otomin with Sulmin, photo: P. Książek / Pomorskie.travel

Asphalt road connecting Otomin with Sulmin, photo: P. Książek / Pomorskie.travel

Neo-Gothic church in Sulmin. Currently Art Gallery, photo: P. Książek / Pomorskie.travel

Neo-Gothic church in Sulmin. Currently Art Gallery, photo: P. Książek / Pomorskie.travel

Ahead of us is a 4-kilometer section of local gravel roads towards the town of Bakowo, ending with a forest parking lot and a place to rest. We reach provincial road 221, but after the parking lot we return to the forest and enter the amber Hill Reserve. In addition to the 109-meter elevation of the same name, an interesting place is the exploited excavation of the former open-pit amber mine. We can find records of this fossil resin found in this place in materials from 1721.

Remains of a former amber mine, photo: P. Książek / Pomorskie.travel

Remains of a former amber mine, photo: P. Książek / Pomorskie.travel

Currently, the old excavations are in the form of sinkholes, the largest of which is 40 meters in diameter and 15 meters deep. The reserve is an archaeological monument and is located in the Kolbudy forest district.

Forest trail to the village of Otomin, photo: P. Książek / Pomorskie.travel

Forest trail to the village of Otomin, photo: P. Książek / Pomorskie.travel

We cover the next kilometers alternately by riding forest paths and a wide gravel road leading to the village of Otomin and the “Freedom is in Nature” trail. In front of us is the largest lake in the vicinity of Gdansk, a glacial area of water with numerous bays and a peninsula that attracts nature lovers, especially fisherman, practically all year round.

Lake Otomińskie. A popular place among anglers and outdoor recreation enthusiasts, photo: P. Książek / Pomorskie.travel

Lake Otomińskie. A popular place among anglers and outdoor recreation enthusiasts, photo: P. Książek / Pomorskie.travel

We continue driving a bit along the lake towards the asphalt road to Sulmin. After crossing the road on a forest road, we close the loop by heading towards the starting point of the trip, the Wroblowka restaurant. The total distance of the route is approx. 21 km, while people with maps can successfully modify the route by choosing trails, for example towards Kolbudy.

The surrounding forests are also the site of horse trails, photo: P. Książek / Pomorskie.travel

The surrounding forests are also the site of horse trails, photo: P. Książek / Pomorskie.travel

Also check out these other hikes or trails in this area:

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