Gostynin – Lakes, Trails and City History

Gostynin lies within the Skrwa Lewa catchment area, between the Kutno Plain, the Kuyavian Lake District and the Płock Basin. The town offers different ways to shape a stay: trails and lakes in the surrounding countryside, as well as architectural history in town. When planning a hotel stay, you can first consider whether hiking trails and natural areas or Gostynin’s historic buildings will be your main focus.

Lakeside Scenery and Protected Areas

About 60 lakes lie around Gostynin, forming the geographical area of the Gostynin Lake District. Some of Gostynin’s wooded areas are protected within the Gostynin-Włocławek Landscape Park. Several nature reserves also preserve a variety of landscapes and woodland communities. The Dolina Skrwy Reserve protects the landscape of the Skrwa Lewa gorge and diverse woodlands, consisting mainly of oak-hornbeam forests. The Drzewce Reserve protects oak-hornbeam forest communities in the ancient valley of the Skrwa Lewa.

The Lubaty Reserve protects the natural landscape around Lake Lubaty, including the surrounding marshes and forests; part of the lake lies within the protected area. Lucień is on the north shore of Lake Lucieńskie. In addition to woodland, the reserve includes a 50-metre-wide belt of reeds. Together, these protected areas encompass woodland and river landscapes, lake shores, marshes and reed beds.

Hiking Trails and Cycling Routes

The green “Leśna pętla” hiking trail is 15.5 kilometres long and runs from Gostynin’s market square via Lake Bratoszewo, Brzozówka, Zalesie and Lake Gaśno to Gostynin railway station. The yellow “Szlak rynnowych jezior polodowcowych” trail also starts at the station, passing Lakes Kocioł and Czarne, Ziejkowa and Lake Przytomne, before heading towards Lake Skrzyneckie. Their routes therefore differ from the outset: the green trail ends at the station, while the yellow trail starts there and heads towards another lake. Trail conditions may change; check their current status before setting out.

Gostynin is also a starting and ending point for cycling trips: the local tourist cycling route network consists of circular routes that explore the area around the town. The red “Bolesław Krzywousty” trail follows a different route. Its southern section passes through Gostynin on the Płock-to-Kutno route.

Architectural History in Town

The town hall was built between 1821 and 1824 and has a four-sided clock tower with an openwork crown. The former inn at Rynek 16 was built in the 1820s on Baroque foundations and cellars dating from the 18th century. Another example from the early 19th century is the brick residential building at Floriańska 14: dating from 1828, it has two Tuscan columns on its façade. Kramów, at Floriańska 23, is a building constructed around 1927 as a modern municipal market hall or row of stalls.

The Tadeusz Kościuszko Secondary School building at 3 Maja 15 was built between 1904 and 1907. It retains its original architecture, except for the historic attic walls at the top. Gostynin’s railway complex dates from 1924, when the railway line reached the town. St James’s Chapel represents a different period of construction: the neo-Gothic church was built between 1883 and 1886. Every year on the last Sunday in July, a traditional, lively indulgence fair is held there in honour of the Apostle James.

Another way to explore Gostynin’s history was the “Miniszlak Wielokulturowego Gostynina,” established from July 2018: a walking tour through the town, with eleven information boards at various locations. The tour, established from July 2018, included information boards telling the stories of the Germans, Poles, Russians and Jews who once lived in Gostynin.

Getting There and Seasonal Activities

The Kutno–Płock–Sierpc railway line, operated by Koleje Mazowieckie, runs through Gostynin. Check the timetable before travelling. Several roads also meet in the town: Voivodeship Road 573 from Nowy Duninów to Żychlin, its branch, Road 574, from Szczawin Borowy to Gąbin, as well as Roads 265 to Kowal and 581 to Krośniewice.

For the summer holidays, a supervised municipal swimming area is listed at the Bratoszewo reservoir on Dybanka Street. It is open daily from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; free pedal boats are also available. Before visiting, check whether this seasonal offering is available during the holiday period in question.

Discover more destinations: Zwoleń, Kamieniec, Solec, Gostynin, Warsaw, Legionowski, Garwoliński, Płock.

For the regional travel overview: Masovia.