The Low Lands is known to tourists mainly for its Mennonite heritage, arcade houses or the Low Land water loop tourism product. This list should also include a place for bicycles. More and more emphasis is being placed on bicycle tourism here. Let's see what awaits cyclists in the Nowy Dwor Gdanski commune. Especially since summer does not let up and the excellent weather encourages cycling trips.
Being the informal capital of the Low Lands is an honourable position. There are many indications that Nowy Dwor Gdanski will soon also gain the title of the cycling capital of the Low Lands. There are more and more new cycling routes here. They often have high-quality asphalt surfaces, making the city an excellent base for cycling trips around the area. Who knows, maybe the Low Lands will be rediscovered by cyclists…
Drawbridge in Żuławy, photo: Pomorskie Travel
The main route running through the commune is the international R-10 cycling route currently under construction, which will eventually be included in the Euro Velo network. Today, the route is almost completely ready, and its most beautiful section runs north, on the flood embankments of the Tuga River. Enjoying the landscape of the Low Lands from this perspective takes on a completely new dimension. Here, we admire not only the landscape values, but also old hydrotechnical devices and structures such as locks, bridges and pumping stations. Along the way, you can also come across small marinas and mooring platforms.
EuroVelo 10/13 along the Tuga River, photo: Pomorskie Travel
The Tuga River crosses Nowy Dwor Gdanski, lazily flowing through the very heart of the city. A picturesque boulevard begins at the brick building of the district office, which leads along the river. A small marina has also been built nearby recently. Driving along the R-10 route south, we will reach the charming village of Kmiecin, where you can visit a unique, Gothic church. To get to Elblag, we use the bicycle lane along the former national road. Today, it is safe and convenient, as all car traffic has moved to the new expressway. Cyclists can feel at ease here.
Marina in Drewnica in Szkarpawa, photo: Pomorskie Travel
When visiting Jazowa, right on the border with the Warmian-Masurian Voivodeship, we have two options for getting to Elblag. Continuing along the former national road or taking a picturesque loop along the Nogat River and then across the bridge in Kepki. We definitely recommend the second option, because, like in the case of the Tuga, the section by the Nogat is particularly charming.
From Nowy Dwor Gdanski, it is easy to reach other parts of the Low Lands by bike. We are talking about the village of Tuja, located near the Swieta River, which is part of the already mentioned Tuga River. We reach the village via an asphalt bicycle path built along the former narrow-gauge railway line. This short trip can be an attractive proposition for both locals and visiting cycling enthusiasts. The route interestingly characterizes the specificity of the Low Land landscape. There is also no shortage of monuments. In Tuja you can see a magnificent Gothic church, and on the way in Orlowo a beautiful and well-maintained arcaded house.
Nowa Kościelnica Arcade House, photo: Pomorskie Travel
The arcaded houses in the Low Lands
Vistula Bicycle Route / EuroVelo 9 (Vistula Bicycle Route)
More persistent cyclists will probably not end their trip here. Nowy Staw is really not far away. From there, for example, we will head east to the village of Lichnowy on the Vistula Cycling Route or south to Malbork. In both cases, we will ride on asphalt cycling paths.
The low Lands may soon become a destination for many cyclists who are looking for new challenges and interesting, unusual places to visit. This is definitely a land that needs to be rediscovered. By bike, of course…
