Do you love the Polish sea, but the crowded beaches put you off? Or maybe it is hard for you to sit still and you prefer active recreation? Do you like sightseeing and getting to know interesting places? The perfect place for you may be the Tri-City Coastal Route – a bicycle route between Gdańsk and Gdynia, leading along the Baltic coast.
The Costal Route is an approximately 30-kilometre section of the EuroVelo 10/13 route from Gdańsk, through Sopot to Gdynia (or the other way around). A significant part of the route runs along the dunes, and therefore, you can admire the Baltic views all the time. You usually traverse hardened, asphalt surface.
The conventional crossing points of the route are Wyspa Spichrzów (Granary Island) in Gdańsk and Kościuszko Square in Gdynia, but you can easily enter it from any place in the Tri-City – follow the signs of the EuroVelo 10/13 route. Thanks to the Fast Urban Railway (SKM), you can easily modify the length of the trip or end it in the event of bad weather or equipment failure – SKM stations are scattered densely along the Costal Route.
The markings of the trail are clearly visible, the route is intuitive – you should follow the marked cycle path along the shoreline practically all the time. The only part where you should be vigilant is the area of Orłowski Cliff, where the route takes off the coast and runs along the main road. It is possible to ride a bike by the sea, through Kępa Redłowska, however, it is a section with a steep, demanding climb, recommended for rather experienced cyclists. It is definitely not worth choosing this road with children or luggage.
Atrakcje na trasie – historia i sztuka
Przejazd Trasą Nadmorską daje okazję do odwiedzenia wielu ciekawych miejsc w obrębie Trójmiasta. Już sam początek – w Gdańsku – prowadzi przez ulicę Ogarną, na której pomalowane przez gdańskich artystów fasady kamienic fascynują artyzmem i niebanalnością. Tuż obok, w Wieży Więziennej, mieści się Muzeum Bursztynu. Kawałek dalej warto zatrzymać się w okolicy Stoczni Gdańskiej – odwiedzić Europejskie Centrum Solidarności (multimedialne wystawy przybliżają historię PRL i narodzin demokracji w Polsce), Pomnik poległych Stoczniowców i Słynną bramę nr 2. Kawałek za Brzeźnem trasa prowadzi obrzeżami Parku im. Reagana, gdzie oprócz przyjemnych miejsc na postój i piknik można znaleźć stałą wystawę rzeźb “Wielcy Gdańszczanie” oraz instalacje artystyczne.
Cycling with a view of the Baltic Sea
A must-see place in Sopot is, of course, the famous pier – the longest pier on the Baltic Sea (admission fee: PLN 9 for adults, PLN 4.5 for children). In the Northern Park in Sopot, you can stop for a walk on the wooden piers built over the local wetlands and by the Sopot dunes – both places are located right next to the route. Near Orłów, on the northern edge of the Kolibki Park, there is an extraordinary vantage point, dating back to the times of John III Sobieski – “Grota Marysieńki” (Marie Casimire’s Cave). When in Orłowo, it is worth straying from the beaten path for a moment to take a look at the Baltic Sea from the local pier and visit Orłowski Cliff. If the cycling challenges do not scare you, you can continue your ride along the shore and drive to Gdynia through the Kępa Redłowska Nature Reserve. This section is attractive in terms of nature, but technically very demanding.
Gdynia: fauna, flora and fleet
The last point of the programme is Gdynia – the Coastal Route ends in the most representative place in the city – at Kościuszko Square, from where you can easily reach the quay where the famous ships – Dar Pomorza and Błyskawica – are moored. Fans of the undersea fauna and flora are encouraged to visit the Gdynia Aquarium with a museum exhibition and live specimens that can be seen at specially prepared stands, similar to the natural living conditions of individual animals.
The Costal Route – a bicycle trip for everyone
Thanks to the fact that the route runs between cities, it is easy to access shops, restaurants and bars along the way – you do not have to worry about taking provisions. However, if you dream of a bicycle picnic, you will surely find the right place in one of the parks you bike through. When on a trip, you can, of course, also visit one of the many Baltic beaches. Particularly interesting are those less popular, such as Gdynia Redłowo or the beach at Sopot Cliff (in the south of Kolibki Park).
You can easily set off on the Costal Route with children – both riding independently (the entire route runs along separate paths for bicycles), and with children in car seats or trailers. It is easy, varied, with many options for stopping or interrupting at any time. Along the way, there are stopping points with information boards and a place to rest. The proximity of the SKM station allows you to adjust the length of the trip to the group’s capabilities.
Useful information
The exact route with marked points of interest can be found on the website: https://www.traseo.pl/trasa/poznaj-pomorskie-rowerem-trasa-nadmorska.
Connection diagram and SKM timetable, which will help you plan the starting and ending points and plan a possible return by cable car: https://skm.trojmiasto.pl.
There is currently no city bike system operating within the Tri-City area, but there are many bike rentals – an example list: https://katalog.trojmiasto.pl/sport_i_rekreacja/wypozyczalnia_rowerow_/
It is worth booking in advance and making sure about availability. You can come to the vicinity of the route by car and easily use one of the numerous paid parking lots in Gdańsk, Sopot or Gdynia.
