Rowy – Fishing Harbor, Łupawa River and Coastal Trails

Rowy combines a fishing harbor at the mouth of the Łupawa River with coastal scenery, fishing village traditions and routes through the surrounding area. This means that several different aspects can shape your choice of destination: water, local history, cycling and nature.

The harbor and river as local landmarks

Rowy’s fishing harbor is located at the mouth of the Łupawa River. Kayakers can travel along the river. The harbor and river are therefore two distinct points of reference: the harbor is at the river mouth, while kayakers use the Łupawa as a waterway. If you are considering Rowy in terms of its waterways, this distinction helps set the location of the harbor apart from activities on the river.

Fishing village and architectural history

Rowy has a long tradition as a fishing village. The place was first mentioned as a fishing harbor in 1282. This year refers to the first mention; it should not be taken as a founding date. The history of fishing provides a historical context for the harbor, while the church offers another tangible glimpse into the history of the place.

The neo-Romanesque church in Rowy was built between 1844 and 1849 from worked glacial granite stones. Its façade also contains a “black stone,” which is associated with a weather legend: if it gets wet, a storm is said to be imminent. The story is part of local tradition and links a visible detail of the church with an interpretation of the weather.

Routes between Rowy, the forest and the coast

The 17-kilometer Rowy–Dołgie Małe–Rowy circular route passes through the forest complexes of Słowiński National Park to Lake Dołgie Małe. From there, the route continues through wooded dunes to the sea, then runs parallel to the coast back to Rowy. The distance refers to the entire circular route. Its description covers a sequence of different landscapes—forest, lake, dunes and coast—rather than just one destination.

Another route is the 20-kilometer stretch between Rowy and Przewłoka, called the “Szlak Zwiniętych Torów.” The routes differ in both length and endpoints, as well as in their form: one connects two places, while the other is a circular route that returns to Rowy.

For cycling, the international R-10 “Nadmorski” coastal cycle route is mentioned. It runs for 38 kilometers through the Gmina Ustka and extends as far as Rowy, on the municipality’s eastern border with the Gmina Smołdzino. The 38 kilometers refer to the route through the Gmina Ustka. Together with the other two routes, this offers a varied picture: one route explicitly designated as a cycle route, alongside two other routes with their own distances and locations.

The beach and nature in the museum

The Słowiński National Park Museum’s branch in Rowy presents the exhibition “Plaża – cztery pory roku” (“Beach – Four Seasons”). It explores changes in the coastal sandy area and the beach’s seasonal biological diversity, particularly the changing birdlife. Its seasonal perspective brings coastal scenery and nature observation together: the exhibition focuses not only on the beach itself, but also on its biological diversity throughout the year.

The museum branch is partially adapted for people with mobility impairments. Confirm this information before visiting if it is important for your plans.

Tourist information in Rowy

The tourist information office is located at ul. Nadmorska 17 and is open in July and August. If you plan to visit, check the seasonal opening hours before your trip. This way, you can take its summer opening period into account without assuming specific daily opening hours.

Discover more destinations: Runowo, Wodnica, Orzechowo, Strzelinko, Sycewice, Ustka, Pobłocie, Widzino.

For the broader travel overview: Słupsk.