The Brda, which flows down from the Tuchola Forest to Bydgoszcz, is one of Poland's most famous canoeing rivers: clear water, a lively current and campsites on the banks. Here you'll find the best spot, with the level of experience it needs and the rules to know.
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For each spot: level, best time and the winds that make it calm or best avoided.
A clear, lively river between pine woods and meadows, with stretches of a few hours or several days and campsites on the banks: the classic canoe trip of the Tuchola Forest, here on the stretch from Woziwoda towards Koronowo.
Windyes Normal water level, days without thunderstorms · no Floods after rain
Full details →Before choosing a spot, check where the wind is coming from: the same cove can be a swimming pool or a place to avoid.
In Poland you may swim only at supervised bathing areas (kąpielisko) or where swimming is not prohibited: supervised beaches have WOPR lifeguards and fly a white flag when swimming is allowed and a red one when it is not. Always check the local rules before going in.
Along the Brda there are nature reserves where you may not land: stop only at the marked rest areas and campsites.
White flag: swimming allowed, with lifeguards on duty. Red flag: swimming prohibited. No flag: unsupervised beach, swim at your own risk.
Always wear a life jacket in a kayak and a leash on a SUP: if you fall off, the wind pushes the board away faster than you can swim.
In summer thunderstorms arrive quickly and on the big lakes they whip up high waves within minutes: get out of the water at the first rumble of thunder. On the Masurian lakes, harbours have flashing storm-warning lights.
Most rivers need few permits for canoeing, but in national parks the park decides which stretches can be paddled and when: check before you set off.
Single emergency number 112; WOPR water rescue 601 100 100 or 984.
