Stary Kolejowy Szlak, or the Old Railway Trail, crosses the lake districts of West Pomerania between the Baltic coast and Wałcz. West Pomerania’s regional cycling guide describes a journey shaped by disused railway corridors, with an additional connection towards Świdwin.
From the coast into the lake districts
The regional route guide describes the main journey from Kołobrzeg, or from Mielno, towards Wałcz. Its published stages link Kołobrzeg with Białogard, Białogard with Złocieniec, and Złocieniec with Wałcz; the guide also lists a continuation from Wałcz towards Dobino. These place names are useful reference points when choosing how much of the route to ride.
The old railways are central to the itinerary’s identity. West Pomerania says that 94 km of the approximately 170 km between Kołobrzeg and Wałcz use former railway lines. Its guide also describes a railway connection towards Świdwin. Historic stations, churches and palaces add points of interest to the countryside journey.
The Połczyn-Zdrój and Złocieniec section
Połczyn-Zdrój is a useful reference point for a shorter ride. The municipality describes an approximately 27 km path to Złocieniec on a former railway embankment. The tracks were removed and the corridor surfaced with asphalt for cyclists. The route passes through Drawsko Landscape Park, and the municipality notes that the former railway alignment avoids steep climbs.
In Połczyn-Zdrój, the path is reached from ul. Koszalińska. The municipality also describes an approach from the town centre along Chrobrego and Sobieskiego streets and through the English section of the spa park. Along the way, Toporzyk offers a landmark in its nineteenth-century neo-Gothic church.
Choosing a ride and checking conditions
The railway sections are only part of the wider itinerary. The regional guide describes a mixture of separated cycling infrastructure, public roads and forest or field roads on its Kołobrzeg–Piła itinerary. Riders should therefore check the character of their chosen section rather than assume the entire journey follows a traffic-free railway path.
For road bikes, the regional guide recommends travelling from Wierzchowo via Osiek to Złocieniec. Its separate disruption page reports a poor forest section between Wierzchowo and Wąsosz, where sand and wet-weather mud can make riding difficult. It also lists possible roadwork-related diversions near Wałcz. Consult that page before setting out, as works and access arrangements can change.