• Sailing
• Kayaking
• Angling
• Horses
• Skiing
• Gliding
• Off-roading
   

Sailing in Poland may be best enjoyed in the region of the Great Mazurian Lakes located in the northeastern part of the country. This lake district, with the highest concentration of lakes in Poland, picturesquely set among forests, attracts thousands of water sports enthusiasts.

The Mazurian lakeland boasts Poland's largest lakes such as Lake Sniardwy (106 sq. km.) with eight islands and Lake Mamry (104.9 sq. km.) with thirty-three islands.

The region has a comfortable system of canals interconnecting the lakes which allow for the functioning of both numerous passenger services and a great number possible of sailing routes. Many marinas are located on larger lakes such as Beldany, Nidzkie, Talty, Niegocin, Kisajno, Mamry, Swiecajty, Mikolajskie and Rynskie. Here sailors will find everything they might need: hoists, slips, workshops, easily accessible electric energy sources, equipment for recharging of batteries, etc. Chartering of yachts is also possible, but it is advisable to make such arrangements in advance. Most popular among sailors are sailing routes such as

• Pisz - Mikolajki (28 km.)

• Mikolajki - Gizycko - Wegorzewo (65 km.)

• Pisz - Ruciane-Nida - Karwica (55 km.)

• Gizycko - Mikolajki (37 km.).

For example, the Mikolajki harbour has moorings for about 150 yachts; there is also a hangar for safekeeping of yachts in wintertime, boatbuilder's workshop, shop with sailor's gear and two taverns.

Sailing is also popular on such lakes of the Pomeranian Lakeland as Drawskie, Charzykowskie, Wdzydze, Gardno, Miedwie and Dabie.

Poland's largest sailing academy is located on Szczecin Bay. At Trzebiel water sports enthusiasts can rent sailboats, improve their knowledge of sailing and also leave yachts for wintertime storage.

The Solina artificial lake, picturesquely situated in the mountainous landscape of the Bieszczady (southeastern part of Poland), is another water expanse perfectly suited for sailing. Sailors in Poland need a sailor's license and sailboat registration card.

 There are plenty of excellent kayaking routes in Poland, which put us in a very close contacts with the mysteries of plant life, birds, etc. National and international kayaking regattas are held every year. The most beautiful route is the almost two hundred kilometer long Krutynia route. The river winds its way among a picturesque landscape of lakes and streams. By the Krutynia route you will easily find tourist facilities such as bars, canteens, landing stages, bivouac grounds, and water sports equipment renting centers.

Natrure lovers may also choose the Czarna Hancza route along which they will be accompanied all the time by the rustle of reeds, the singing of birds' and the sight of huge, fallen tree trunks. The route follows the stream of the Czarna Hancza almost all the time, but some times leads across lakes, too. Thus, the kayakers paddle through the Wigry, Serwy and Niecko lakes as well as along the Augustowski canal built some 150 years ago.

Another interesting Mazurian route is that of the Drweca River. Relatively easy to get through is the Brda River route. which is considered by many kayakers as Europe's most beautiful: it runs through the scenic landscape of the Bory Tucholskie Forest and conjoins a few lakes.

Very exciting, although somewhat exhausting as it requires frequent transportation of kayaks over dry land, is the Gwda River route. This 146 kilometer long river springs from Lake Wierzchowo, northeast of Szczecinek. In its upper course the river flows through many lakes.

The Slupia, Drawa, and Ina Rivers in the Pomeranian Lakeland are also well-suited for kayak trips.

Even the most demanding angler will find an attractive spot in Poland, where the catch may include as many as thirty-three species of fish. Stream and rainbow trout, belonging to the Salmonid family, are most often encountered in:

Mountain rivers, such as

• Kwisa

• Bystrzyca

• Nysa Klodzka

• Sola

• Skawa

• Dunajec

• Poprad

• San

The Pomeranian rivers:

• Drawa

• Dobrzyca

• Pilawa

• Brda

• Wda

and the numerous rivers of the Mazurian Lakeland. The use of artificial lures is obligatory.

Pike, perch, and catfish live in the Mazurian lakes, and in western Poland in such rivers as Warta, Notec, and Gwda. Both live or dead natural lures are allowed. Fishing for pike-perch can be enjoyed in larger lowland rivers and artificial water reservoirs such as: Lake Turawskie near Opole and Lake Roznowskie near Nowy Sacz.

Strong and courageous barbel live in the lower courses of such mountain rivers as Dunajec and San or River Gwda in Pomerania, while chub are found in the rapid streams in southern and northern Poland. Roach, bream, and carp can be found everywhere, in mountain rivers, lakes, and canals.

Anglers in Poland find the winter catch as attractive as any other. There are also fans of ice fishing. Ice fishing provides the opportunity to catch a wide variety of fish, but mainly roach and perch. It is forbidden to fish for sturgeon, salmon, Pelecus cultratus, long-barbed and white-barbed gudgeon, and all varieties of minnows. The angling season in Poland lasts twelve months.

Accommodation and food are easily accessible, while angling shops can satisfy the needs of even very demanding enthusiasts of this sport.

For professional advice and assistance as well as in order to apply for an obligatory Polish angling license please contact any branch of the Polish Anglers' Association. Address in Warsaw: ul. Twarda 42, tel. (48-22) 6205083.

Boats for rent are available in many riverside and lakeside hostels run by the Polish Anglers' Association in different regions of the country. There are special landing-places for fly-fishermen.

Horse breeding has an extremely long history in Poland. Polish horses are famous throughout the world. Highly appreciated are our full-blooded English horses, purebred Arab horses and Anglo-Arab breeds [Malopolska (southern Poland), Wielkopolska (western Poland) and Slaska (Silesia)]. Tarpans (wild descendants of original steppe horses) and huculy (a breed kept by East Carpathian mountaineers) are also bred. The lovers of these beautiful animals come to the auctions regularly organized in Warsaw, Iwno, Janow Podlaski, Ksiaz, Sopot, and Lobez. Very popular are vacations in 'the saddle'. Numerous horse breeding centers throughout Poland, possessing comfortable accommodation facilities, welcome enthusiasts of this sport. Horseback riding lessons are available for beginners; experienced riders may gallop off into the beautiful countryside. Rides in horse-drawn carriages and St. Hubertus rides are also organized.

The best known centers are:

• Bialy Bor near Koszalin)

• Kadyny (near Elblag)

• Sierakow, Czerniejewo and Iwno (near Poznan)

• Racot (near Leszno)

• Ksiaz (near Walbrzych)

• Lack near Plock

• Boguslawice (near Piotrkow Trybunalski)

• Janow Podlaski (near Biala Podlaska).

In addition to big, state-owned stud-farms, there are a number of smaller, privately-owned equestrian centers. They offer riding lessons, horses to mount. organization of picnic events with bon - fire and dances.

Winter sports enthusiasts will find that Poland offers good conditions to practice their hobby, be it cross-country skiing, recreational skiing, or downhill racing. The Tatras in southern Poland, the youngest range in the Carpathian Mountains, have a decidedly alpine-like character. They are snow-covered from December through March, in upper parts the snow stays till May. The little town of Zakopane, situated at the foot of the Tatras is called Poland's winter capital. Numerous championships and other sporting events are often held here. There is a great number of skiing facilities in the environs and in the town itself as well as many hotels, pensions, and a lot of ski-service points and shops with skiing equipment on sale. Very popular with skiers are:

• the slopes of Mt. Kasprowy Wierch. The summit may be reached by a cable car from Kuznice or by chair-lifts from Hala Gasienicowa and Hala Goryczkowa. Both downhill runs lead to Kuznice: from Hala Gasienicowa via the Uplaz Pass or from Hala Goryczkowa along the Bystra Stream Valley via Hala Kondratowa.

• the slopes of Gubalowka Hill, the summit of which can be reached by funicular from the very center of Zakopane.

The total length of the downhill ski runs is approximately 24 km. Numerous ski-lifts are operated in the Tatras, the majority of which are found in the environs of Gubalowka and Antalowka Hills, on the northern slopes of the Gubalowka Range and the village of Bukowina Tatrzanska.

Cross-country skiing is best practiced along the Sciezka pod Reglami trail, as well as on the slopes of Cyrhla and Gubalowka Hills. Expert skiers may try the slalom course on Mt. Nosal. The snow cover in the nearby Beskidy Mountains does not last as long as in the Tatras, but they also offer a number of attractive ski trails. The best tourist facilities are available in the region of the Silesian Beskid (southwestern Poland). Particularly attractive are the environs of both Szczyrk, with the summit of Mt. Skrzyczne and Ustron with the summit of Mt. Czantoria Wielka. Local chair lifts operate throughout the year. Very exciting, although not very easy, is the expert ski run from the top of Mt. Skrzyczne (1,257 m.) down to Szczyrk (total length: 2,800 m., difference of altitudes: 650 m.). The summit of Mt. Skrzyczne may be reached from Szczyrk by chair lift. An interesting collection of folk instruments may be admired in the nearby village of Istebna, whose wooden houses are built in the traditional mountaineer style. The village of Koniakow located nearby, is famous for its traditional handmade lace.

In the Bieszczady Mountains (southeastern Poland) the best skiing grounds are found on the Polonina Wetlinska, Polonina Carynska. Mt. Szeroki Wierch, and Mts Wielka and Mala Rawka. The most scenic ski trail (approx. 9 hours) leads from Ustrzyki Gorne to Mt. Wielka Rawka (1,307 m.) and then down, along the high mountain meadows (poloniny), to Wetlina. Wetlina is a good starting point for trips to other mountain regions. Cross-country skiing may be practiced in lower parts of the Bieszczady Mountains, for example, from Smerek to Cisna and from Jaworzec to Wolkowyja.

The Karkonosze Mountains (southwestern Poland) are an unquestioned paradise for Polish enthusiasts of winter sports. The snow blankets the mountain slopes for six months out of the year. The main winter sports centers here are Karpacz and Szklarska Poreba. In Szklarska Poreba, skiers can reach the summit of Mt. Szrenica (1,362 m.) by chair lift (3 km.) and then speed down back to town. Local ski facilities offer slopes suitable for both expert skiers and beginners. From Karpacz, located at the foot of Mt. Sniezka (1,602 m.), a chair lift carries skiers to the top of Mt. Mala Kopa (1,375 m.), from where they may choose one of several ski runs having a total length of approx. 10 km. Also worth recommendation in the Sudety Mountains (southwestern Poland) are such winter sports centers as Zieleniec in the Orlickie Range and the Massif of Mt. Snieznik, where there is snow cover for eight months.

Cross-country skiing may be practiced also in northern Poland, especially in the Mazurian region - near Goldap, and in the Kaszuby region - near Wiezyca. The skiing trails have different markings: black for advanced skiers, red - difficult trail, blue - easy trail, green - for beginners.

Polish air sports centers offer excellent conditions to those who wish to practice gliding or parachuting. Glider pilots may use the centers in western Poland: Leszno, Jelenia Gora on Mt. In southern Poland in Zary near Bielsko-Biala and in central Poland at Lisie Katy near Grudziadz.

Those who wish to jump with a parachute may take advantage of the centers at Nowy Targ and Krosno (southern Poland). All centers offer comfortable accommodations (usually within the airport premises) and the necessary equipment. Training includes both theoretical and practical instruction on different levels. Enthusiasts of gliding may expect friendly atmosphere and professional advice from Polish glider pilots who enjoy an excellent reputation worldwide. Their supervision will guarantee a pleasant sojourn and the adventure of lifetime.

Poland is a paradise for off-road driving and offers a great deal of attractions to those who seek soft as well as extreme adventure off the beaten track. There are a number of clubs and companies both in the UK and in Poland organising trips for 4x4 enthusiasts who want something different than the typical "Open Day" off-road event in the UK.

In Poland, the areas accessible to off-roaders are incomparably larger than in most other European countries, offering stunning landscapes and varied terrain, from the Western Pomerania and the forests along the Baltic sea in the north to the Bieszczady Mountains in the south-eastern corner of Poland.

To get a taste of what you may expect in Poland, whether you drive your own Land Rover, Jeep, or a locally hired UAZ, read the reports published in WorldOffroad or an account of a trip to the Baltic sea.