Liwa – moderately difficult route (Gonty – Mareza)

Liwa – moderately difficult route (Gonty – Mareza)

Section length: 50 km

The section of the Liwa river from the village of Gonty to Piekarski Młyn is considered as moderately difficult. The river flows, strongly meandering, through wooded areas. When kayaking on this stretch of the river, you have to take into account numerous burdensome portages. There are serious problems with water on the river, especially in its most interesting middle section. When the water level is low or there is no water, kayaking is impossible. In the recent years it has been possible to go boating in late winter and early spring. The trip starts at the weir located where the Liwa River flows out from Lake Dzierzgoń, close to the railway and road bridge. You pass the nearby fields and meadows. Initially, the river may be overgrown. You enter Lake Liniewiec. Behind the island (ornithological reserve), on your right, you can barely see the outflow of the Liwa River. A woodland area begins, which will accompany you to Piekarski Młyn. The river shows its beauty. You pass Stary Młyn with the hydroelectric power station. You portage on the right side. A campsite can be found next to it. After a few kilometres, another hydroelectric power station (Młynisko). Another portage. Lots of fallen trees, practically no water; you have to tow your kayaks. On the way, you “navigate” under a railway bridge and then a road bridge. The route approaches Szadowski Młyn. You arrive at a dry, heavily overgrown backwater area. Another portage at the hydroelectric power station. On the right, there is a campsite at the white concrete bridge. Portage across the road, along the fence of the WOŚP (Great Orchestra of Christmas Charity) training centre – approx. 140 m. Along the way, you cross 2 artificial water thresholds (approx. 1 km apart). Before the bridge in Broków, there are quite difficult, rocky rapids to get through. Further on, you go under the bridge in Kamionka. The route reaches Piekarski Młyn (known as Biały Młyn); a portage of about 100 m; there are many fallen trees in the riverbed below. The stretch of kayaking over fallen trees ends here. In front of you, the buildings of Kwidzyn and the characteristic brick arched railway bridge. Slight rapids as long as there is water in the riverbed. You go around Kwidzyn from the east, on the way another portage; a flyover of national road 55 and ruins of a railway bridge. The stretch is heavily overgrown. You enter a forested area and reach the village of Białki, this time going around Kwidzyn from the south. In Białki, you will have to portage over a weir. At this point, the Liwa enters the Kwidzyn Valley, which is a kind of the Vistula gorge. The route goes past agricultural areas on the left while on the right you can see buildings in the western part of Kwidzyn, including the pulp and paper factory. The riverbed is narrow, overgrown and somewhat steep, which limits the views. You pass under the former railway line bridge, now converted into a cycle route, and a road bridge. On the left, the mouth of the Kanał Palemona canal. After passing the mouth of the canal, Mareza and the square – the end of your trip. In front of you is a panorama of the Teutonic Knights castle in Kwidzyn.

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