Discover Ocypel: forests, trails and lakeside culture

Hiking trails and exercise in the forest

A marked section of the Izydora-Gulgowski Trail runs for 22.4 kilometres from Kaliska to Ocypel. It is marked in blue. In Ocypel, this trail connects with the red Kociewie Lakes Trail, from where you can continue your hike southwards. The length of the described section provides a concrete reference point for planning your day. The connection between the two trails offers the option to continue, without implying a specific walking time.

The forests around Ocypel also offer space for Nordic walking, running and cycling, independently of this hiking route. You can tailor your stay to your preferred kind of exercise: the long-distance trail provides a marked route between two places, while the forest activities encompass different ways of getting around. No special equipment is needed to observe nature. However, binoculars, a telescope or a magnifying glass can be useful if you’d like to take a closer look at natural details.

Summer events and activities by the lake

The Letni Dom Kultury in Ocypel is a series of summer open-air concerts and arts events. The events take place by the lake and in public spaces, with the surrounding forests and sunset forming the backdrop. Culture thus complements the options available to visitors who don’t want to focus solely on outdoor activities during their time in Ocypel.

The summer festival series “Lato na Kociewiu” also takes place in July and August in Lubichowo, Szteklin and Ocypel. Another event for sports enthusiasts is “Biegaj w Ocyplu – Leśne Wandry,” a sporting event organised by Stowarzyszenie Przyjaciół Ocypla. It has been attracting more and more participants and spectators over the years. The programme includes runs for children, teenagers and adults, recreational distances, and routes for more experienced runners. The different formats cater to varying age groups and levels of running experience, without implying any particular personal suitability.

As part of the marina project, a water tourism building, a playground, a fire pit and a car park were built. There is also a pier, along with designated areas for swimming and for mooring boats, kayaks and pedal boats. These features serve different functions: the facility includes both areas for spending time by the water and designated places for mooring watercraft.

Local history and forest produce

Among the village’s historical landmarks is the Chapel of the Blessed Virgin Mary. It is a reconstruction of a chapel destroyed by the Germans in 1943. The rebuilding was based on the pre-war chapel and a surviving photograph. On 3 May 2004, Father Alfons Fonfara consecrated the reconstructed chapel; he was the parish priest of Matki Bożej Królowej in Ocypel. There is also an unusual feature at the railway station: an abandoned pre-war German Pullman-type railway carriage stands in a shady corner of a siding.

The wooden buildings in the village of Ocypel are counted among the attractions in the area around Lubichowo. There are also mushrooms in the forests around Ocypel, and knowledgeable guidance is recommended when gathering them. Foraged forest produce can be eaten fresh or used in cakes and desserts. So, alongside hiking trails and events, your travel interests can also include the forest and regional produce.

Other destinations in this selection include Mermet, Piece and Huta Kalna.

For the broader travel overview: Czarna Woda.