Colmar between lakes and culture

• At 192 m high, Gontyniec is a terminal moraine hill with old beech trees and a lookout tower at its summit.
• At 18 ha, Jezioro Strzeleckie is the smallest of the Chodzież lakes and is completely surrounded by forest.
• Chodzież’s largest beach is on Jezioro Karczewnik, with a supervised bathing area; it is 60 m long.
• The R-1 “Dolina Noteci” cycling route is about 20 km long and leads from Chodzież through several places before returning to the town.

At Gontyniec, a prominent landform and a specific excursion destination come together: the hill has rich vegetation and old, stately beech trees, and a lookout tower stands at its summit. It is better to tackle the final ascent on foot than by bicycle; at the top, an impressive view awaits. The viewpoint at the ski lift offers a different perspective. From there, you can see Chodzież, Jezioro Miejskie and part of the Noteć Valley, bounded to the north by a chain of moraine hills.

The lakes also differ in their location and size. Jezioro Strzeleckie is the smallest of the Chodzież lakes and is wooded all around. Jezioro Miejskie, also called Jezioro Chodzieskie, is the largest of the three lakes within the town limits; it is only a few hundred metres from the market square. On a broader landscape scale, the wider Powiat chodzieski lies in the Noteć Valley and is surrounded by lakes and forests.

The 60 m-long beach with a supervised bathing area is on Jezioro Karczewnik. Since the beach and bathing facilities may be seasonal, check their current status before your visit. A car park is only a few dozen metres from the bathing area; parking rules may change. A beach volleyball court also borders the supervised bathing area, and its maintenance may be seasonal.

The R-1 “Dolina Noteci” cycling route leads from Chodzież through Studzieniec, Milczek, Nietuszkowo, Trojanka and Oleśnica before returning to Chodzież, and is about 20 km long. Near Oleśnica, it passes fishponds where many bird species, including swans, can be found. Check current information about trail conditions and signage before setting out.

The literary and tourist Tadeusz Siejak Trail connects different parts of the town: it runs through the town centre, walking and recreation areas, as well as forests and the surrounding hills. Six panels display quotations from the writer’s works. In addition, three points are marked on the map where there are no panels on the ground. This distinguishes the actual panels from the other map entries.

The Szlak Chodzieskich Karzełków Płomienistych offers another way to bring together history, local heritage and play. This tourist and educational attraction invites visitors to enjoy a family adventure, active recreation and an unusual way to discover the town. It opened on 8 September 2026.

The ski slope on Talerz Hill is 300 m long and is described as the longest facility of its kind in northern Poland; it operates seasonally. A mountain biking trail, laid out by cycling champions Czesław Lang and Lech Piasecki, is nearby. This means that different cycling and winter sports activities are found alongside one another in this area, without implying anything about current operating hours.

The industrial history is also multifaceted. The beginnings of the ceramics industry in Chodzież date back to the mid-19th century and are associated with the German entrepreneur Herman Heim, owner of the Chodzież faience factory. At the beginning of its operations, the Chodzież Porcelain Factory employed about 600 people and was considered one of the most modern and largest porcelain manufactories in the German state of the time. The factory invites visitors to tour the manufactory; check with the operator for visitor arrangements, as current opening hours are not provided.

Chodzież is on National Road 11. The railway station is in the town centre; direct train connections include Poznań, Wrocław, Kraków and Kołobrzeg. Services and timetables may change, so check the latest information before travelling. These reference points help you plan your journey separately from local highlights such as the lake, a viewpoint or a themed trail.

Discover more destinations: Szamocin, Margonin, Dziewoklucz, Chodzież, Laskowo, Budzyń, Podanin, Wollstein.

Where is the supervised bathing area?

Chodzież’s largest beach is on Jezioro Karczewnik, with a 60 m-long supervised bathing area. The bathing facilities and beach may be seasonal; check their current status before your visit.

How long is the R-1 cycling route?

The R-1 “Dolina Noteci” route is about 20 km long. It leads from Chodzież through Studzieniec, Milczek, Nietuszkowo, Trojanka and Oleśnica before returning to Chodzież. Check current trail conditions and signage.

Which train connections are available from Chodzież?

The railway station in the town centre offers direct connections to Poznań, Wrocław, Kraków and Kołobrzeg. Since timetables and connections may change, check the current service before departure.

For the broader travel overview: Greater Poland.