Discover Chodzież: lakes, trails and culture

• Chodzież lies in the Chodzieskie Lake District, characterised by glacial landforms, pine and mixed forests, and lakes.
• Jezioro Miejskie is the largest of the three lakes within the city limits. Its promenade is over 3.1 km long; the illuminated walking and cycling path is 2.5 to 5 m wide.
• The R-1a “Gontyniec” cycling route is about 17.5 km long. The R-1 “Dolina Noteci” cycling route is about 20 km long.
• Cultural highlights include the city history department at the city library and St Florian's Church.

The lakes, forests and glacial landforms give Chodzież a distinctive natural character. At Jezioro Miejskie, you can use the promenade on foot or by bike. The path is illuminated and between 2.5 and 5 m wide; its length of over 3.1 km is a useful reference point when planning activities by the lake. Three sailing bases, a fishing base and a base for the WOPR water rescue service are also located at Jezioro Miejskie.

Two differently named circular routes are available for cycling. The R-1a “Gontyniec” runs from Chodzież via Oleśnica, Trojanka and Papiernia to the Karczewnik forester's lodge, then returns to Chodzież via Leśna Street. It is about 17.5 km long. The R-1 “Dolina Noteci” is about 20 km long and runs via Studzieniec, Milczek and Nietuszkowo to Trojanka, then back to Chodzież via Oleśnica.

Another option is the Tadeusz Siejak literary and tourist trail. It runs through the town centre, walking and recreation areas, forests and the surrounding hills. The route described connects different urban and natural areas, though no distance is given.

Jezioro Karczewnik is home to Chodzież's largest beach. The beach is 60 m long, adjoins a beach volleyball court and includes a supervised swimming area. This makes the offer at Karczewnik different from that at Jezioro Miejskie, where sailing, fishing and the water rescue service are mentioned.

The Chodzieski stok narciarski ski slope is another specific option in Chodzież: it is 300 m long and has a 200 m ski lift. Outside the winter season, mountain bikers use the slope; an MTB trail is nearby.

The City History and Tradition Department of the Chodzież City Library has three exhibition rooms. The exhibits cover local history and culture from the earliest times to the mid-20th century. This historical span makes a visit an opportunity to explore different periods of the city's history in one exhibition.

St Florian's Church is one of the oldest architectural monuments in Chodzież and was built before the town received its town charter. A late Baroque church, it retains Gothic walls. For travellers interested in culture, both its historical context and the combination of different architectural periods are of interest. The ruins of Chodzież Castle also survive to this day.

The city's history also includes the ceramics industry, which dates back to the mid-19th century. The two porcelain and faience factories operating in Chodzież made the town an important centre for this industry. The historical significance of ceramics complements the picture of the town offered by the church, castle ruins and exhibition on local history.

If you would like to compare other destinations alongside Chodzież, you can also include Laskowo, Margonin, Szamocin, Podanin, Dziewoklucz and Budzyń in your selection. Ciszewo can also be considered as a destination in its own right.

How do the R-1a and R-1 cycling routes differ?

The R-1a “Gontyniec” is about 17.5 km long and runs, among other places, via Oleśnica, Trojanka and Papiernia to the Karczewnik forester's lodge. The approximately 20 km long R-1 “Dolina Noteci” runs, among other places, via Studzieniec, Milczek and Nietuszkowo to Trojanka.

What is there to do at Jezioro Miejskie and Jezioro Karczewnik?

Jezioro Miejskie has a promenade over 3.1 km long, as well as three sailing bases, a fishing base and a base for the WOPR water rescue service. Jezioro Karczewnik is home to a 60 m-long beach with a supervised swimming area and an adjoining beach volleyball court.

What does the city history department display?

In three exhibition rooms, the Chodzież City Library department displays exhibits on local history and culture from the earliest times to the mid-20th century.

For the broader travel overview: Colmar.