Ideas for a day out in Pałuki

Not sure where to start? We have put together eight ready-made plans - from two hours by the lake with children to a weekend by bike. Each plan combines specific trails from our map, so for each one you have a route description, directions to the start and a GPX file.

A Pałuki Classic: by Narrow-Gauge Train and on Foot

a full dayfamilies with children, first-time visitors to Pałukiwhen the narrow-gauge railway is running (from May)

  1. In the morning, board the narrow-gauge train in Żnin and get off at the Wenecja Muzeum stop.
  2. Visit the Narrow-Gauge Railway Museum and the ruins of the castle of the Devil of Wenecja (Diabeł Wenecki) - both are right by the station.
  3. Walk the red-waymarked Piast Trail hiking route (Pieszy Szlak Piastowski) from Wenecja to Biskupin: about 2.3 km between the lakes.
  4. Visit the Archaeological Museum in Biskupin - allow 2-3 hours for it.
  5. Take the narrow-gauge train back from the Biskupin stop to Żnin.

Before you set off, check the departure times with the Museum of the Pałuki Region (Muzeum Ziemi Pałuckiej), tel. 52 30 20 293 - the whole plan depends on them.

Żnin Narrow-Gauge Railway (Żnińska Kolej Wąskotorowa) →Piast Trail, hiking route (Pieszy Szlak Piastowski) →

In the Footsteps of Leszek the White

half a daywalkers, history loversall year round (narrow-gauge railway from May)

  1. Start at the gate of the museum in Biskupin and follow the yellow-waymarked Leszek the White Trail (Szlak im. Leszka Białego) to Marcinkowo Górne (about 4 km).
  2. Beside the road stands a monument to Duke Leszek the White (Leszek Biały), who was killed here in 1227 during an assembly of dukes.
  3. Return the same way to Biskupin, or take the narrow-gauge train one stop to Gąsawa.
  4. In Gąsawa, see the wooden Church of St Nicholas with its Baroque wall paintings - it is about 0.8 km from the narrow-gauge railway station.

The church in Gąsawa is open around Mass times - you will find the times on the church's page.

To Biskupin →Leszek the White Trail (Szlak im. Leszka Białego) →Żnin Narrow-Gauge Railway (Żnińska Kolej Wąskotorowa) →

Three Museums by Bike

half a day's riding + sightseeingfamilies, leisure cyclistsApril-October

  1. Start at the Museum of the Pałuki Region (Muzeum Ziemi Pałuckiej) in Żnin - the Tower (Baszta) and an exhibition on the town's history.
  2. Via Skarbienice to Wenecja: the Narrow-Gauge Railway Museum and the castle ruins.
  3. On to Biskupin and the Archaeological Museum.
  4. Return via Gogółkowo and Bożejewice to Żnin. 26.4 km in total.

A suggested route with no waymarks of its own - take the GPX track with you.

Museum Route →

The Palace on the Noteć

half a daywalkers, photographersall year round

  1. Visit the neoclassical palace of the Skórzewski family in Lubostroń and its park on the Noteć.
  2. Follow the blue-waymarked Pałuki Trail (Szlak Pałucki) from Lubostroń through Smerzyn to Łabiszyn: about 8.2 km.
  3. In Łabiszyn, explore the old town on an island encircled by the Noteć.
  4. Along the way, in Smerzyn, there is a lakeside beach.

This is a one-way route - plan your return by bus or with a second car.

Pałuki Trail (Szlak Pałucki) →

Five Wooden Churches in One Day

a full dayfit cyclists, badge collectorsApril-October

  1. An 85.4 km loop from Żnin through the south of the county.
  2. Along the way, five churches from the badge: Skórki, Ryszewko, Niestronno, Parlin and Gąsawa.
  3. Take your record book or a printed chronicle - collect proof of your visit at each church.
  4. Return via Wenecja, where you can rest by the lake.

The churches are often locked outside Mass times. Before you set off, check the times on the church pages or make arrangements with the parish.

Pałuki Churches Trail, part 2 (Szlak Pałuckich Kościołów) →

An Afternoon by the Lake

2-3 hoursfamilies with young childrenMay-September

  1. A short 12.3 km loop around Lake Żnińskie Duże, much of it on cycle paths.
  2. Along the way, the beach and bathing area in Żnin.
  3. To finish, relax at our lakeside hostel.

Town Route around Lake Żnińskie Duże →

A Day in a Kayak

half a day on the waterbeginner kayakersMay-September

  1. The Struga Foluska Water Trail (Szlak Strugi Foluskiej): 14.8 km across lakes Kierzkowskie, Ostrowieckie, Foluskie and Chomiąskie.
  2. There is one portage on the route - about 250 m.
  3. The trail runs upstream, but the current is weak.

The branch organises guided kayak trips - check the events calendar.

Struga Foluska Water Trail (Szlak Strugi Foluskiej) →

A Weekend on the Pałuki Cycle Trail

2 daystouring cyclistsApril-October

  1. Day 1: Żnin - Cerekwica - Świątkowo with its wooden church - Janowiec Wielkopolski - Kołdrąb - the Rogowo area (about 40 km).
  2. Overnight stay by the lake near Rogowo.
  3. Day 2: Rogowo - Marcinkowo Górne - Gąsawa - Biskupin - Wenecja - Żnin (about 35 km).

The trail was laid out by our branch's trail markers. Waymarks are missing in places - ride with the GPX track.

Pałuki Cycle Trail (Pałucki Szlak Rowerowy) →

Times and distances are approximate. The narrow-gauge railway runs in season - confirm the timetable with Muzeum Ziemi Pałuckiej (Pałuki Regional Museum). You will find all the trails from the plans on the trail map.