Trasa Pojezierzy Zachodnich, or the Western Lake Districts Cycle Route, begins at the Polish-German border in Siekierki and travels east through a chain of lake districts. West Pomerania’s official cycling guide divides the main R20 itinerary into six sections, ending at Miastko, and describes a separate R20A branch through Szczecin.
From the Oder to Myślibórz
The route’s western reference point is the European Bridge between Siekierki and Neurüdnitz. This former railway crossing now carries cyclists across the border, with a viewing terrace overlooking the Oder wetlands. The first section continues through Trzcińsko-Zdrój to Myślibórz, largely on an asphalt cycle path following a former railway embankment.
There are reasons to pause away from the saddle. The former station at Klępicz is a stopping place on the way to Trzcińsko-Zdrój, while Moryń is a short diversion from the route for its town walls and Lake Morzycko. In Trzcińsko-Zdrój, R20 meets the Blue Velo route; the town also has historic walls, gates and a former spa park.
Across the lake districts
Beyond Myślibórz, the official itinerary continues through Choszczno, Ińsko and Złocieniec before reaching Szczecinek and Miastko. Its landscape changes from the Myślibórz and Choszczno lake districts towards the Ińsko, Drawsko and Szczecinek lake districts. The main route passes through five landscape parks.
Between Złocieniec and Szczecinek, the guide describes a section through Czaplinek and Borne Sulinowo. Czaplinek offers a lakeside stop beside Lake Drawsko, while Siemczyno Palace is a diversion north from Nowe Kaleńsko. At Złocieniec, R20 crosses the Stary Kolejowy Szlak, providing an opportunity to combine two regional cycling routes.
The Szczecin branch
R20A gives riders another way into the lake-district network. The official branch description begins at the German border between Blankensee and Buk, enters Szczecin from the north and continues towards Stargard. It passes near the Puszcza Bukowa landscape park before reaching the main R20 at Kozy.
East of Ulikowo, the branch uses local roads and passes Pęzino Castle. At Marianowo it joins a cycle path following a former narrow-gauge railway. The regional guide describes a mixture of asphalt, forest and gravel sections and recommends a touring, gravel or mountain bike for the branch. It says signage is limited to selected stretches and advises using navigation.
Choosing sections and checking conditions
The riding is varied: the regional route overview includes separated cycle infrastructure, public roads and forest or field tracks, with asphalt, paving, aggregate and concrete surfaces. The Złocieniec–Szczecinek guide specifically notes a difficult unpaved stretch between Złocieniec and Bobrowo, so do not assume that the whole itinerary has the same surface as the western railway path.
Check West Pomerania’s disruption notices and route map before setting out. The regional authority reports a fire-damaged bridge between Sławęcin and Nosowo, with an unpaved diversion that can be sandy or muddy. It also lists construction and detours near Marianowo and Ińsko, and a rough temporary forest section between Brzeźniak and Kumki. Conditions and diversions can change.