Villa Gowidlino is not only an extraordinary holiday house. It is also an excellent base for exploring the Tricity and even the entire Pomeranian province! During their stay at Villa Gowidlino, our guests can combine a peaceful rest in the bosom of nature and relaxation in the beautiful surroundings of Gowidlińskie Lake with the unforgettable experience and attractions of the Tricity and the Pomeranian province.
Tricity
A polycentric metropolitan centre. It comprises three interconnected cities: Gdańsk, Sopot and Gdynia. It is also the inner city area of the Tricity agglomeration. Situated in northern Poland, at the Gulf of Gdańsk, it covers the area of 414.38 km². It offers countless tourist opportunities, yet it is only 80 minutes away from Villa Gowidlin, when travelling by car. The pier in Sopot, the Museum of the Navy in Gdynia or Długi Targ in Gdańsk? Decide for yourself where you will go on your excursion, and after an eventful day, return with your family or friends to the Villa, light a bonfire and enjoy the peace and quiet of the countryside.
Gowidlińskie Lake
This is a postglacial ribbon lake located south of Gowidlin. The area of the lake is 401 ha (including two islands of 8.2 ha), maximum depth 27m, width 1.2km, length 6.2km. The shoreline is strongly developed and abounds in numerous bays and peninsulas.
The shape of the lake bottom is varied, with numerous underwater hills and ditches. The dominant fish species in the lake are: roach, bream, pike, perch, eel, carp. The river Słupia flows through the lake and a canoe trail runs through it. The area is surrounded by picturesque moraine hills. The basin is perfect for practising water sports and fishing, and the sandy beach is ideal for sunbathing.
Gowidlino Beach
This is a communal beach with jetties and a marina. It was put into use in July 2019. The recreational part includes jetties, a bathing area guarded in summer, a children’s area and a sandy beach. There are mooring jetties and a canoe landing, as well as a camping area next to it, shelters for feasting and a bonfire pit. During the summer there is an open-air bar at the beach. Also, communal events are held. Near the beach there is a car park.
Cycling Trails
The commune of Sierakowice is intersected by four bicycle routes.
The most central route running through its area is Route 13, leading from Kamienica Królewska through Sierakowice to Kamienica Szlachecka and Borucino in the Stężyca commune. Along the section to Sierakowice it coincides with the red hiking trail.
Route 12 was designed in the western part of the commune. It starts in the village of Linia and enters the area of the Sierakowice commune near the Czarne Lake in the Potęgowskie Lakes complex. From here it runs through Kamienica Królewska to Pałubice. Close to the school in Palubice, there are peat pits flooded with water; they are a sanctuary for water fowl. In spring and summer, the voices of gulls and terns can be heard there all day long. It is the only site of this type in the commune. All others are smaller and less populated by birds. The route then runs along Bukowina through Załakowo and Łyśniewo; the numerous lakes in this area have contributed to the development of summer recreation. Many summer cottages have been built on its banks. In the summer, a lot of tourists come here and jokers say that it is not the comers who live with the inhabitants of Łyśniewo, but rather the inhabitants of Łyśniewo with the comers. During the last war, the Germans referred to Łyśniewo as a “nest of Polishness”, because only one person, who probably wanted to obtain an invalidity pension, signed an agreement to accept German citizenship of the third group. Rev. Antoni Pelpliński, poet and author of many songs and pastorals, was born in “Łyśniewski Dwór”; the priest’s brother, Aleksy Pelpliński, also a folk poet, author of several stage comedies and nativity plays written in Kashubian, also came from here.
As we pass through an almost forestless expanse of farmland, the trail reaches Gowidlino with its beautiful Gowidlińskie Lake, picturesquely located among forests; with the legendary Gowid Island. The village of Gowidlino is a real jewel of our commune, as it is classified as a leisure and recreation area. Holiday resorts that are very popular have been spread out on the shores of the Gowidlińskie Lake.
Only along a short section, route 14 runs through the northernmost part of the commune from Pałubice to Skrzeszewo (where you can watch a grey heron live and raise its offspring for hours on end) on the border of the Kashubian Landscape Park and crosses the Bukowina river twice on an outwash trail. It follows the Sierakowice-Lębork main road as far as the village of Bukowina, located in the Cewice commune. Further on, the trail runs along secondary roads west to Cewice, to reach Gowidlino again
Route 10 coincides in the area of the Sierakowice commune with the red hiking trail delineated on its northern periphery from Kamienica Królewska towards the east through the Mirachowskie Forests.
Already outside the commune it runs south along no less beautifully scenic roads through Miechucino, Borzestowo, Wygoda and Łączyńska Huta to Łączyn.
Fish
For every angler, the Gowidlinskie Lake is like a “pool of possibilities”, both in terms of the species of fish we intend to catch and the methods we can use.
The lake abounds in bream, roach, tench, pike, perch, carp and eel. And these are only the most frequently caught species.
Two- to three-day baiting from the pier at Villa Gowidlino practically guarantees good bites of bream and roach. After a week of baiting, catching carp weighing 2-3 kg is very likely.
From our pier, we have caught eels weighing almost 1 kg, tenches weighing over 1.5 kg and also tiny 30 cm catfish.
On many occasions, there were perches caught on a red worm; the bigger ones weighed over half a kilo.
The Gowidlińskie Lake changed its Lessee a few years ago and a miracle happened. Thanks to the professional approach of the current Lessee (Krzysztof), there really is no shortage of fish in the lake. To put it simply, the lake is systematically restocked and the fish harvesting is symbolic.
I highly recommend this fishery!!!
Kashubian Landscape Park
The Kashubian Landscape Park was established by Resolution No. XIX/82/83 of the Provincial National Council in Gdańsk of 15 June 1983. It covers the central ethnic area of Kashubia, located in the Kashubian Lake District. The area of the Kashubian Landscape Park is 33,202 ha, most of which is covered by farmland, i.e. 16,712 ha (50.3%), then forests, 11,230 ha (33.8%) and water resources, 3,430 ha (10.3%).
The area of the Park is located within the borders of three districts (Kartuzy, Kościerzyna, Wejherowo) and eight communes, of which Kartuzy, Chmielno, Sierakowice and Stężyca make up the majority of the Park’s area. The remaining part belongs to Somonino and Linia and marginally to Kościerzyna and Nowa Karczma.
The Landscape Park buffer zone covers an area of 32,494 ha. It surrounds almost the entire Park, lacking only in two places: at the section where the border of the Park overlaps with the border of the town of Kartuzy and to the north-west of the Park in the Cewice commune.
The Kashubian Landscape Park is adjacent to five areas of protected landscape: to the north with the Łeba Valley Protected Landscape Area, to the west with the Gowidlino Protected Landscape Area, to the east with the Kartuzy Protected Landscape Area and Radunia Valley Protected Landscape Area, and to the south-west with the Przywidz Protected Landscape Area.
Sierakowice
Papal altar
Field altar for the celebration of Holy Mass by Pope John Paul II on 6 June 1999, during his seventh pilgrimage to his homeland. The site is special, as it is a combination of natural, architectural and sacred elements, giving visitors the opportunity not only to stroll, sightsee or admire the green architecture, but also inviting them to ponder, reflect and contemplate.
St. Martin’s Neo-Gothic Church
Extended in 1902 from an existing wooden church dating from 1822. Some of the church furnishings date back to the late 18th century.
Car Route of the Kashubian Landscape Park Reserves
Sierakowice – Wygoda Sierakowska – Mojusz – Szopa – Bącka Huta – Bącz – Palestyna – Bukowskie Lake – “Kurze Grzędy” Nature Reserve – “Turzycowe Lake” Nature Reserve – “Lubygost Lake” Nature Reserve – Szczelina Lechicka – Kamienne Lake – Kamienica Królewska
Kashubian Trail (red)
Sierakowice – Kamienica Królewska – Kartuzy – Gołubie – Olpuch – Wdzydze
Trail length: 130.65 km, including 11.4 in the Sierakowice commune
The trail starts in the centre of the village of Sierakowice and along the section to Kamienica Królewska coincides with the old hiking trail. It is undoubtedly the most beautiful, longest and most popular trail in the Kashubian Lake District, probably not missing any of its pearls along its long route. The trail is beautiful both in the summer, when the numerous lakes tempt with their depths, and in the other seasons – not skimping on forest undergrowth, fresh greenery or simply unique views. The trail runs picturesquely along the banks of the Potęgowskie Lakes trough, leaving the commune in a place called Kamienicki Młyn – located by the Białe and Potęgowskie Lakes. In this place there is also a flat cemetery from the early Iron Age, a mound and a settlement in the valley between the Junno and Odnoga Lakes. In Kamienicki Młyn it is also worth visiting a glassworks from the 16th to 18th century.
The journey continues through the Kartuzy commune, which aspires to be the capital of the Kashubian region, and begins with a charming stretch delineated on the edge of three nature reserves: “Szczelina Lechicka”, “Żurawie Błota”, “Lubygość” and Kamienne Lakes, also known as Mirachowska Świteź. Further on, it goes along the Łeba valley and the border of the “Staniszewskie Zdroje” nature reserve.
After leaving Kartuzy, the route crosses the most popular part of the Kashubian Lake District called “Szwajcaria Kaszubska” (Kashubian Switzerland). The first stop is Chmielno – a village regarded as one of the most beautiful spots in the Kashubian region, also known for its Necel ceramics. It is also the starting point of the Raduń Circle Trail – Kashubian lakes connected by the Radunia River in the form of a loop, not far from the Szymbarskie Hills. It is also an ideal place for canoeists.
The route then heads towards the Wdzydze Lake, better known in this region as the “Kashubian Sea”. Along the way, it passes an equally charming area, Łubiana, which is gaining fame for its porcelain decorated with Kashubian patterns. The village is also historically important – one of the largest partisan battles in Kashubia took place here during World War II.
The trail ends at the confluence of all tributaries of the Wdzydze Lake, called “Krzyż”. Here is also the oldest open-air museum in Poland, which is worth visiting during your stay in the area – the Kashubian Ethnographic Park in Wdzydze Kiszewskie. It is a perfect place to end a beautiful car trip along the Kashubian Trail.
Stone Circles Trail (green)
Sierakowice – Tuchlino – Lipusz – Czarna Woda (length 94.35 km – in the Sierakowice commune 7.15 km)
This trail starts in Sierakowice and crosses the commune, leading through Tuchlino to the western shore of Tuchlińskie Lake, where it leaves the commune in Rębienica. In the first part of the trail, we wander through the sparsely wooded, undulating terrain of the Kashubian Lake District. The southern part of the areas crossed by the trail is nicknamed the “Czyste Pola” [Pure Fields]. The name originates from the fact that pure stones are more easily born here than ears.
In contrast, in the next part, the trail leads through a flat, wooded area of the Charzykowska and Tuchola plains, decorated with the cross of the Wdzydze Lakes at their confluence. The trail also enters the northern stretches of the Tuchola Forest, abundant in mushrooms, possessing so much charm that it can satisfy all those seeking the beauty of the native land.
It is not uncommon for the trails to lead to some mysterious wilderness or picturesque lakes, or to villages lost in the forest wilderness.
Undoubtedly, the greatest attraction of the trail is the cemetery with stone circles from the Roman period located on the Długie Lake near Węsiory. The area covered by the Stone Circles Trail was a place of activity of partisans of the Secret Military Organisation “Gryf Pomorski” during World War II, hence its second name – the “Partisan Trail”. Along the way, we will pass many places of martyrdom and fighting against the Nazis. The trail ends in Czarna Woda.
The Szymbark Hills Trail (black)
Sierakowice-Bącka Huta- Gołubie- Szymbark- Wieżyca-Sopot (length 121.55 km – in the Sierakowice commune 17.4 km).
It starts in the Tricity and leads into the central part of the Kashubian Lake District through the Szymbark Hills and the area of the Raduńskie Lakes into the Mirachowskie Forest, which was a mainstay of the resistance movement – the partisans of the Gryf Pomorski were active here. The trail enters the area of the Sierakowice commune in Bącka Huta, from where it reaches Sierakowice via charming forest paths.
Kashubia “Forest Park” – Rope Park
An amusement park for young and old. As it is open seasonally, the rope park will keep you occupied with activities and attractions for the whole day. Here you will find a water obstacle course, rope trails to walk and attractions for the little ones. It is worth visiting this place and feel the adrenaline rush. Seasonal attraction.
Trojan Horse Factory
Another proposal for families with children (but not only), however, this time also for warmer days. Here you can take a trip back in time to ancient times. The park has the largest replica of the Trojan Horse in the world, a mythical labyrinth, weapons and armament from antiquity and many other unusual items. There is also food and drink available during a longer stay. Seasonal attraction.
Educational Zoo Park – Exotic Kashubia
This is an ideal place for bad weather or a cooler day thanks to its complete roofing. Perfect for families with children, just 10 minutes away from Villa Gowidlino. Here you can see dozens of species of exotic animals, feed the parrots and take a guided tour or enjoy the 3D cinema. Payment in cash only.
Parish church
A half-timbered church, built in the neo-Gothic style between 1866 and 1868 from brick and stone. The square in front of the church offers a magnificent view of the lake with its entire rich scenery.
“Minigolf on the map of Kashubia” Amusement Park
This is a place created owing to the combination of tradition and modernity with the Kashubian culture. Here age does not play a role and every visitor will find something for themselves. The park offers fun at 10 themed holes, but not only. The beautiful scenery, animals and inseparable culture and tradition of Kashubia in one place. Education and fun in a nutshell. Seasonal attraction.
Gołubie Botanical Garden
This is something for nature lovers eager to deepen their knowledge of the plant world. The Botanical Garden in Gołubie is open to visitors from 1 April to 31 October, daily from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Admission is chargeable. Organised groups can take guided tours and take part in workshops or have a bonfire. Booking required.
Kashubian Park of Giants
Attractions in this park go beyond the standard size and take on a larger scale. Here you will find huge insects, an aeroplane that you can enter as a pilot or passenger, huge fish and birds and other objects of unusual size. There is also a play area for the youngest visitors. The Kashubian Miniature Park is also nearby. Seasonal attraction.
Railway Museum in Kościerzyna
Anyone who likes trains should visit this museum. Here you can take a ride on a hand draisine, a miniature train and also take a guided tour. The museum is open all year round.
Koszałkowo-Wieżyca Active Leisure Centre
The Active Leisure Centre changes depending on the seasons. In the summer, it is worth visiting the children’s play park, bicycle or scooter rental and taking a walk in the Kashubian Tales and Legends Park. It is also possible to organise a canoeing trip or a horse riding tour. In winter, on the other hand, the Centre welcomes all avid skiers who spend their time in Kashubia. Here visitors will find ski lifts, winter equipment rentals and ski schools. The Centre also offers a snowtubing area – an excellent attraction for children and adults, which guarantees great fun in the open air. There is also on-site catering. Open all year round.
Kashubian Scenic Point
This scenic point was built in 1997. It is 35 metres high. In order to get to the top of it, it is necessary to climb 182 steps! At the very top, there is an amazing view of the Kashubian forests and lakes, and with a bit of luck and completely cloudless weather, you can reportedly see the Hel Spit – if you are curious if this is true, be sure to visit the Kashubian Scenic Point.
American Old Cars Museum
For any fan of American motoring classics from the 1950s – 1980s, this is a must-see during your stay in Kashubia. The museum has around 30 collector’s pieces of the most classic cars from the United States. A unique place not only on the map of Kashubia, but also of the entire country.
Farma Alexa, Amusement Park
This is an agricultural amusement park – the first of its kind in Poland! Just an hour’s drive from Villa Gowidlino, a wealth of agricultural attractions awaits guests. An unforgettable adventure for young and old. Seasonal attraction.
Sea Park Sarbsk
A park of miniatures, a seal aquarium, an oceanarium, a trampoline park, a monkey grove and much more – all this can be found in one place – Sea Park Sarbsk. A great place for families and larger groups. Seasonal attraction.
Habenda – Windsurfing Course
Szkoła i wypożyczalnia sprzętu do windsurfingu. Na miejscu także restauracja.