Gostynin – Lakes, forests and a historic town
Accommodation in Gostynin
Lakes, protected areas and distinctive historic buildings give Gostynin a varied character. When planning your trip, consider whether you would like to focus on trails through the lake district, natural areas or the town’s architectural history.
Gostynin at a glance
Gostynin lies at the intersection of the Kutno Plain, the Kujawy Lake District and the Płock Basin, in the Skrwa Lewa catchment area. There are 60 lakes around the town, forming the geographical area of the Gostynin Lake District. Some of the wooded areas are protected within the Gostynin-Włocławek Landscape Park.
The Kutno–Płock–Sierpc railway line, operated by Koleje Mazowieckie, runs through Gostynin. Several regional roads also meet here: road 573 from Nowy Duninów to Żychlin, with road 574 branching off from Szczawin Borowy to Gąbin, as well as roads 265 to Kowal and 581 to Krośniewice.
What natural areas shape the surroundings?
The nature reserves differ in the landscapes they protect. Dolina Skrwy protects the gorge of the Skrwa Lewa and a variety of forest communities, mainly oak-hornbeam forests. The Drzewce Nature Reserve also focuses on oak-hornbeam forest communities in the valley of the Skrwa Lewa.
Lubaty encompasses the natural landscape around Lake Lubaty, as well as the surrounding marshes and forests; part of the lake lies within the protected area. Lucień is located on the northern shore of Lake Lucieńskie. The protected areas there include woodland and a 50-metre-wide belt of reeds. These varied descriptions can help you choose between forests, river landscapes, lakes and wetlands when planning your trip.
Which routes and activities can you include in your plans?
The green “Leśna pętla” hiking trail is 15.5 km long. It runs from the market square in Gostynin, via Lake Bratoszewo, Brzozówka, Zalesie and Lake Gaśno, to Gostynin railway station. The yellow “Szlak rynnowych jezior polodowcowych” also starts at the station and runs past Lakes Kocioł and Czarne, Ziejkowa and Lake Przytomne, towards Lake Skrzyneckie. The two routes described therefore differ in their course and the places they pass through.
The red “Bolesław Krzywousty” trail also runs through Gostynin: its southern section passes through the town on the route from Płock to Kutno. For cycling trips, Gostynin is the central starting and finishing point for the local network of tourist cycling routes, whose circular routes explore the surrounding area. If you are planning your day around a particular route, keep its stated itinerary and length in mind rather than treating different routes as interchangeable.
At the Bratoszewo waterside area on Dybanka Street, there is a supervised municipal swimming area open daily from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. throughout the summer holidays. Pedal boats are also available free of charge. The “Miniszlak Wielokulturowego Gostynina” cultural walking route was established in July 2018, with 11 information boards at various points around the town. The boards tell the stories of the Germans, Poles, Russians and Jews who once lived in Gostynin.
Which historic buildings are worth seeing?
The town hall was built between 1821 and 1824. Its distinctive features include a four-sided clock tower and an openwork crown. The former inn at Rynek 16 dates from the 1820s and stands on Baroque foundations, with cellars from the 18th century. At Floriańska 14, there is a brick house dating from 1828, with two Tuscan columns on its façade.
Other buildings add to the picture of the town’s different periods: St James’s Chapel is a Neo-Gothic church built between 1883 and 1886. The Tadeusz Kościuszko Gymnasium building at 3 Maja 15 was built between 1904 and 1907. Its original architecture has been preserved, apart from the historic attic walls at the top. Kramów at Floriańska 23 was built around 1927 as a modern urban market hall or set of sales stalls. Gostynin’s railway complex dates from 1924, when the railway line reached the town.
A traditional, lively indulgence fair in honour of the Apostle James takes place every year on the last Sunday in July at St James’s Chapel. If this event is relevant to your trip, the date is a useful point of reference when planning the year.
Compare the town pages for Gostynin, Solec, Kamieniec and Zwoleń. You can compare other destinations on the pages for Pułtusk County, Otwock, Warsaw West and Białobrzegi.
FAQ
How long is the “Leśna pętla” hiking trail?
The green hiking trail is 15.5 km long and runs from the market square in Gostynin to the railway station, via Lake Bratoszewo, Brzozówka, Zalesie and Lake Gaśno.
Which railway line runs through Gostynin?
The Kutno–Płock–Sierpc line, operated by Koleje Mazowieckie, runs through Gostynin.
When does the indulgence fair at St James’s Chapel take place?
The traditional fair in honour of the Apostle James takes place every year on the last Sunday in July.
When is the swimming area at Bratoszewo open?
The supervised municipal swimming area is open daily from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. throughout the summer holidays. Pedal boats are also available free of charge.
For the main travel overview: Masovia.
