Pomerania: Nature, Hiking Trails and Monastic Culture

Nature Between River and Coast

Pomerania brings together natural and cultural highlights, stretching from the river basin to dunes and wide sandy beaches. The Dolina Słupi Landscape Park was established in 1981 in the Słupia River basin and along its middle and lower reaches. It aims to protect the area’s natural assets and rich cultural heritage and preserve their balance. There are nine landscape parks in the Pomeranian Voivodeship, covering a total area of almost 168,000 hectares; seven of them lie entirely within the voivodeship’s borders. Protected landscapes are therefore an important consideration when planning a trip to the region.

The Vistula Spit Landscape Park protects the wildlife and landscape of the Vistula Spit. Key features of the park include pristine forests with diverse plant life, large coastal dunes where sea holly often grows, and wide sandy beaches. In contrast to the Słupia River basin, the focus here is on forests, dunes and beaches. If you are factoring nature into your travel plans, you can weigh up whether river landscapes or coastal landforms matter more to you.

Hiking and Monastic Culture

Słowiński National Park has 131 kilometres of hiking trails. This trail length is a useful point of reference when choosing a base for your trip if hiking is a consideration. Trail lengths can change, so check the latest park information before making plans.

The region’s cultural history offers another distinct focus. Three of the most important former Cistercian monastic complexes in the Pomeranian Voivodeship are Oliwa and Pelplin, former monasteries for men, and Żarnowiec, a former convent for women. The three sites share their association with the Cistercians, while differing in their former monastic roles. If you are interested in monastic history, these places are cultural landmarks alongside the nature parks and hiking trails.

Regional Cuisine and Polish Traditions

In Kociewie, Szandar is a traditional potato cake served warm with onions and a salad of pickled cucumbers. Poland provides a broader culinary context: pierogi are small dumplings with a variety of fillings. These include savoury versions with potatoes and cheese, cabbage and mushrooms, meat or vegetables, as well as sweet versions with curd cheese or fruit; pierogi are popular throughout Poland. Bigos combines sauerkraut, various kinds of meat and plenty of seasoning. Kopytka are elongated dumplings served with meat sauces or stews, or on their own, sprinkled with sugar and drizzled with melted butter.

Polish potato pancakes also have different ways of being served: usually savoury, but in some regions with sweet cream and sugar. Polish broth is served with homemade noodles. Cheesecake, poppy-seed cake and apple pie are considered leading Polish desserts; poppy-seed cake is especially often eaten at Christmas and Easter. The dish associated with Kociewie and Poland’s nationwide traditions can thus be considered distinct culinary reference points.

Getting Around Poland

As a general guide to travelling in Poland, Intercity Express trains connect larger cities and do not stop at smaller stations. Check current connections and timetables for your specific journey.

Discover More Destinations

Discover more destinations: Starogard Gdański, Bytów, Słupsk, Puck, Wejherowo, Sztum, Kartuzy, Kwidzyn, Chojnice, Malbork, Kościerzyna, Gdańsk, Gdynia, Lębork, Nowy Dwór Gdański, Tczew, Człuchów, Sopot, Starogard County.