The Drawa River is a canoeing trail with some of the most diverse landscapes in Greater Poland. The river can be tough and is rather not recommended for beginners. However, due to its charm, the trail is very popular, so it can sometimes get crowded. This shouldn’t drive you away, though. The weekend section from Prostynia to Bogdanka (34 km) is the most common. The entire Drawa Trail takes 8-10 days to complete.
The Drawa is the right tributary of the Noteć River. Its source is situated near the town of Połczyn Zdrój, and it disembogues into the Noteć near Krzyż Wielkopolski.
The Drawa canoeing trail is 173 km long and begins in Czaplinek (13 km downstream from the river’s source). Canoes can be launched there. The trail is clearly divided into two sections. Why is that? The Drawa in its middle course passes through a military training ground, where access is prohibited.
Trail for experienced canoeists
We recommend the Drawa River to more experienced canoeists. Upstream, there are lakes that are apparently calm. But watch out, note that high waves can occur with strong winds. The river banks are sometimes flat, sometimes steep, sometimes marshy, sandy or densely wooded. The bottom is sometimes rocky, and minutes later can turn into shallows. The riverbed, which is a few meters wide, can quickly grow to a dozen.
Canoeists appreciate most the 41-kilometer section in Drawa National Park, where Drawa resembles a mountain river. An additional attraction is the abundance of rare, strictly protected plants and animal species. It’s common to see tree trunks and branches lying in the water here. Visiting the park is not free of charge. The river is open to canoesits from July 1 to March 15, due to the birds’ nesting season.