Elbląg is a city full of nature and beautiful German buildings, located near the Vistula Lagoon and featuring unique slipways. Isn't this the perfect place for cycling? I invite you to explore my city.
Returning across the Wysoki Bridge, we'll see the To Specjal Pub building, a unique place where you can enjoy a beer (non-alcoholic, of course) after the tour. Continuing on, we'll come across St. Nicholas Cathedral, the tallest religious building on the right bank of the Vistula River. From May 1st to October 15th, free admission is available to the observation deck located on the cathedral tower. A beautiful view of the city and surrounding area unfolds around it. In front of the cathedral, there are also colorful fountains, their coolness encouraging a break along the route.
I suggest ending your walk around the old town at the Archaeological Museum (tickets: PLN 15 standard, PLN 10 concession), where you can explore interactively using VR technology.
From this point towards the city, I recommend returning via the yellow trail, which is narrow and steep and climbs past the highest peaks in the area. It's a rather challenging route, but it allows you to reach the wide and comfortable blue trail, which is a pure pleasure to ride downhill. However, if you're not feeling up to it and don't have a bike suitable for more off-road riding, I advise against riding the red trail, especially the yellow trail. The red trail is undergoing roadworks, and the path is narrow in places, so I recommend taking extra care.
I'd also like to recommend two restaurants. The first is La Capra pizzeria, which serves delicious pizza. It's located on a bike path, and you'll find bike racks underneath. The restaurant also has an electric van that delivers pizzas. If you're interested in supporting ecology, I highly recommend this restaurant. The second restaurant is located in the Old Town – Studio Smaków. It's a bit more expensive, but the food is delicious. Like La Capra, there are bike racks in front of the restaurant.
How to get there
The easiest way to get to Elbląg is by car via the recently renovated National Road No. 7 or by train (direct connections from Szczecin, Gdańsk, Malbork, Olsztyn, and Białystok). Alternatively, you can take a bus to Gdańsk. The Green Velo eastern cycling trail also runs through the city, starting in Elbląg's Old Town and ending in the Świętokrzyskie Mountains.
Condition of bicycle infrastructure
The network of bike paths is particularly extensive in the northern districts of the city. Their surfaces are mostly paved, with occasional asphalt sections. In a few places, the paths are broken. You can see a map of the bike paths on the map I created. Recently, bike racks for cyclists have appeared on Elbląg's streets. For several years, there has also been an ongoing discussion about creating a city bike rental system. As the administrator of a fan page promoting this idea among Elbląg residents, I hope we'll be able to welcome you to this great solution someday.
What's worth seeing
The Old Town, rebuilt after World War II, is the most representative part of the city and a must-see on any sightseeing map. Fortunately, interesting buildings have survived and are worth visiting. The Piekarczyk Trail app, available for Android phones, can be helpful for exploring. Driving along Słowiański Square, you'll spot the 1887 post office building.
Market Gate
Next, we approach the Market Gate – a landmark of the city, known from postcards and commemorative coins. It is connected with the story of Piekarczyk, a young man who, by shoveling the ropes holding the city gate, saved it from a Teutonic invasion. A statue of Piekarczyk standing beneath the gate is a reminder of this event – rubbing its nose is said to bring good luck.EL Gallery
Next, we head to Galeria EL, an art gallery located on the site of a former Gothic church (tickets: PLN 8 standard, PLN 4 concession). Crossing the Low Bridge, we reach Granary Island, the site of the city's former warehouses. Here, we can see the historic Church of the Good Shepherd, originally a Mennonite church.
Returning across the Wysoki Bridge, we'll see the To Specjal Pub building, a unique place where you can enjoy a beer (non-alcoholic, of course) after the tour. Continuing on, we'll come across St. Nicholas Cathedral, the tallest religious building on the right bank of the Vistula River. From May 1st to October 15th, free admission is available to the observation deck located on the cathedral tower. A beautiful view of the city and surrounding area unfolds around it. In front of the cathedral, there are also colorful fountains, their coolness encouraging a break along the route.
I suggest ending your walk around the old town at the Archaeological Museum (tickets: PLN 15 standard, PLN 10 concession), where you can explore interactively using VR technology.
Bicycle routes
Along the Kumiela River
Elbląg also offers interesting routes for admiring nature. A scenic route runs through the city, following the Kumiela River. We begin our ride near Grunwaldzki Square. After crossing a few bridges, we'll see a historic Greek Catholic church on a hill in Traugutta Park, which is the former cemetery chapel of the destroyed St. Anne's Church. Continuing, we'll spot the atmospheric Elbląg Amphitheater, now falling into ruin. However, let's leave it behind and continue on.
Waterfalls of Dolinka Park
The sound of water can be heard in the distance – these are the waterfalls located in Dolinka Park. This route will take us through much of Elbląg's green spaces and allow us to continue our journey to Bażantarnia. You probably associate Elbląg with depressions and flat terrain? – and you couldn't be further from the truth! The suburban Bażantarnia Forest will make you feel like you're in the mountains. Located near the Elbląg Upland, it offers interesting cycling routes.Ferris wheel
Following the red trail along the river, we'll spot the Devil's Stone – a large boulder that, according to legend, was carried by the devil, who thought he was helping build an inn. When he realized he'd been deceived, he helped build a church. In anger, he threw the stone into the stream, where it remains to this day. Continuing on, we should reach the Elewów Bridge – but there's no trace of it. It was destroyed by the flood that Elbląg experienced in 2017. The emptiness that lies behind it is a stark reminder of the power of nature hidden within this unassuming stream.
From this point towards the city, I recommend returning via the yellow trail, which is narrow and steep and climbs past the highest peaks in the area. It's a rather challenging route, but it allows you to reach the wide and comfortable blue trail, which is a pure pleasure to ride downhill. However, if you're not feeling up to it and don't have a bike suitable for more off-road riding, I advise against riding the red trail, especially the yellow trail. The red trail is undergoing roadworks, and the path is narrow in places, so I recommend taking extra care.
On the trail of the Elbląg slipways and Lake Drużno
The Elbląg area is particularly known for its unique system of slipways, which allow ships to be transported over land. While in Elbląg, it's worth visiting this one of the Seven Wonders of Poland. Five slipways can be seen on the Elbląg Canal: Buczyniec, Kąty, Oleśnica, Jelenie, and Całuny. Along the way, we'll also pass Lake Drużno – a Ramsar-listed waterfowl and marsh bird sanctuary. Returning, we'll visit Raczki Elbląskie – the lowest natural point in Poland. The entire route from Elbląg to the slipway and back is approximately 70 km and takes about 6 hours (including stops and sightseeing).
On the Vistula Lagoon
The area around Elbląg is closely linked to the Vistula Lagoon. Of the towns located on this body of water, I particularly recommend visiting Kadyny – a popular destination in ancient times for the German Emperor himself – and Frombork, where Nicolaus Copernicus created his great work On the Revolutions of the Heavenly Spheres. Today, the cathedral building hosts the International Organ Music Festivals during the summer. Also very interesting are the arcade houses, which are representative rural buildings characteristic of the Żuławy Wiślane region. Unfortunately, there are relatively few of them left (around 50), and the best-preserved ones can be admired in Trutnowy, Żuławaki, Marynowy, Nowa Kościelnica, and Przemysław.Bicycle-friendly places
Galeria CH Ogrody is the largest shopping center of its kind in the city. A bike path leads right to the front door from Płk. Dąbka Street. Next to it is a bike storage area.
I'd also like to recommend two restaurants. The first is La Capra pizzeria, which serves delicious pizza. It's located on a bike path, and you'll find bike racks underneath. The restaurant also has an electric van that delivers pizzas. If you're interested in supporting ecology, I highly recommend this restaurant. The second restaurant is located in the Old Town – Studio Smaków. It's a bit more expensive, but the food is delicious. Like La Capra, there are bike racks in front of the restaurant.
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