Rest in the labyrinths of nature
Brda

Brda

Kayaking routes proposal

1. Świeszyno – Nowa Brda (26 km)
2.Nowa Brda – Przechlewo OSiR (28 km)
3.Przechlewo OSiR-Małe Swornegacie (26 km)
4.Małe Swornegacie – Mylof (29 km)
5.Mylof – Woziwoda (28 km)
6.Woziwoda – Świt (27 km)
7.Świt – Sokole Kuźnica (20 km)
8.Sokole Kuźnica – Samociążek (23 km)
9.Samociążek – Janowo (14 km)
10.Janowo – Bydgoszcz (most na Fordonie) (23 km)

Kayaking attractions

1. Przytoń Nature Reserve
2. Osiedle Kormoranów Reserve
3. Gródek Island on the Szczytno Lake
4. Lakes Charzykowskie and Karsińskie
5. Zaborski Landscape Park
6. “Bory Tucholskie” National Park and the Tuchola Forest Biosphere Reserve
7. Historical water dam in Mylof
8. Great Canal of Brda
9. Tuchola Landscape Park
10. Koronowski Reservoir
11. Post-Cistercian Complex in Koronowo
12. Old Town in Bydgoszcz

Worth seeing

Przytoń Nature Reserve – it is a reserve protecting the canyon section of the Brda river above the mouth to Ruda. It protects the beautiful beech forest, and the multiple fallen trees will constitute quite a challenge and an attraction for kayakers at this section of the trail. Lakes Szczytno and Krępsko. Two large and connected ribbon lakes with a diverse coastline, on the Brda trail. Remains of the Slavic Grodzisko can be found on the Gródek Island, and a beautiful half-timbered church in Gwieździn. Lakes Charzykowskie and Karsińskie. Two vast lakes connected with an isthmus, located at the end of the Tuchola Forest National Park. Popular tourist establishments are located by it: Charzykowy in the south side and Swornegacie at the north end of the lake. Brda goes through them, with Chocina also having its mouth there. Historical water dam in Mylof. Mylof or Zapora (Dam) is a location where in 1849 a 12 m high dam, partitioning the Brda river, has been erected. It is the oldest water dam in Poland. Currently it serves as the location of a water power plant and the largest trout farm in Poland. This is where the Great Canal of Brda starts. The Great Canal of Brda it is one of the most interesting hydrotechnical constructions in Poland. Created in the 19th century in order to irrigate the sandy area of the Tuchola Forest. Between Konigort and Fojutowo it constitutes a picturesque kayaking trail which biggest attraction is the famous Fojutowo aqueduct.
Brda is one of the best known and most often visited kayaking trails in Poland. It is perfectly suitable for people who are just beginning their kayaking. Its advantage consists not only in a slow current and lack of obstacles in the water, but primarily the beauty of the Tuchola Forest. It’s impossible to be bored on this river. It is remarkably enchanting and changing. It lazily meanders across grasslands and forests just to turn into a rapid stream with narrow sides in a moment. In its upper section, going almost entirely through vast and wild forests, easy obstacles appear from time to time. The current is faster because the river flows in a narrow basin. A unique attraction consists in Brda’s canyon in the Przytoń reserve. Before entering the Szczytno Lake it is possible to observe herons and cormorants which there are many within these areas. The central section (vastly visited during the season) between Przechlew and Mylof (Zapora) is perfect for family trips and calm relaxation in the water. The river flows in a wide stream, slowly going through six charming lakes. The last stage of the trip, due to the river’s larger drop, is characterized by a more rapid stream, although the section is still easy. Brda is perfectly marked and possesses a great developed tourist infrastructure in the form of accommodation facilities. It is one of the best developed rivers in Poland. Its multiple tributaries may constitute a complementary element of the trip or a challenge in the form of additional kayaking trips. The most interesting ones include: Lipczynka, Chocina, Modra, Ruda, and Zbrzyca.

Information
  • Trail length: 244
  • Number of days: 10
  • Number of portages: 5
  • Recommended route of the trip: Świeszyno (J. Głębokie) - Bydgoszcz (244 km)
  • Difficulty: the upper section (to Garbaty Most) - medium difficult, middle and lower sections - easy
  • Tributaries (available to canoeists): Zbrzyca, Chocina, Wielki Kanał Brdy, Ruda i Kuśnia, Lipczynka