Kopice by the Szczecin Lagoon: Trails, Nature and History

On the shores of the Szczecin Lagoon

Kopice is located directly on the shore of the Szczecin Lagoon. From the marina, you can enjoy views of sunsets over the lagoon and of larger vessels travelling along the international E-30 waterway. Two distinct sights can be seen from the same place: the lagoon at sunset and shipping on the waterway. If you are considering Kopice as a travel destination, its location directly on the water is a defining feature.

Promenada Słońca and its facilities

Promenada Słońca runs between Kopice and Czarnocin and serves both educational purposes and tourist recreation. At the start of the trail in Kopice, there is a shelter with tables and benches. Along the route, there are 15 information boards, signposts, a wind gauge, and bird nesting boxes. The details distinguish between the starting point and the facilities along the way: the shelter is at the Kopice end, while the boards, signposts, wind gauge, and nesting boxes are located along the trail.

The purpose of Promenada is also worth considering when planning your trip. It is described as an educational nature trail that also offers tourist recreation. If you would like to include a trail with an educational and nature focus in your stay, Promenada provides a specific option between Kopice and Czarnocin.

Cycling route and long-distance trail

For a cycling trip, the international R-66 cycle route, “Around the Szczecin Lagoon,” is a distinct option. It follows the lagoon through Gąsierzyno and Kopice to Czarnocin. Check the route before setting out. For walking, the green long-distance trail ZP-1007, “Szlak Stepnicki,” passes through Kopice. The names help distinguish the two options by mode of travel and character: R-66 is named as a cycle route around the lagoon, while ZP-1007 is a green long-distance trail through the village.

This gives you different trail options to consider when planning your trip, without confusing them: a cycling route that passes through several specifically named places, and a long-distance trail that goes through Kopice. Whether you would rather focus on a bike ride or a hike, you can use these separate routes as a guide; for R-66, remember to check the route before setting out.

Nearby landscapes

The “Krzewina” nature and landscape complex lies nearby, between Kopice and Czarnocin. It protects grey dunes with oak and pine forest, as well as grassland and pioneer plant communities. The description covers several distinct landscape features: dunes, woodland, and open plant communities. For nature enthusiasts, this diversity is a separate aspect of the destination, distinct from the immediate lagoon shore and its views.

Protected heritage in Kopice

The protected former churchyard in Kopice dates from the first half of the 16th century. After the church was demolished after 1945, a row of lime trees and several individual willows remained there. The churchyard’s date and the surviving trees provide two specific points of reference for its history: the period to which the former churchyard dates and what remained after the church was demolished.

A former Protestant cemetery in Kopice dates from the second half of the 18th century and is designated as protected cultural heritage. It therefore dates from a later period than the former churchyard. The two protected sites represent different historical periods and add a cultural and historical perspective on Kopice to its nature and trail offerings.

For the wider travel overview: Stepniczka.