The Trail of 100 Lakes begins in Poznań, at Lake Malta, and leads west to the region of Greater Poland called the Land of 100 Lakes. It’s mainly a nature trail, winding among lakes and gentle hills, and is almost 111 km long.
In the beginning, the trail runs through Poznań, where you’ll already encounter first lakes. In the western part of the city, there are as many as three lakes, all connected by cycling and walking routes. Out of the city, the trail turns north toward Szamotuły. There, you won’t regret stopping for a moment to visit the castle and the famous Halszka’s Tower, which is supposedly haunted by a ghost of a beautiful noblewoman imprisoned there by her jealous husband.
Then, the trail turns west again, meandering through the Land of 100 Lakes. You’ll find some appealing highlights here, including the viewpoint on a hill in the village of Łężeczki, offering a marvelous panoramic view of the surrounding area, as well as the nearby historic railway bridge in Chrzypsko. In recent years, this region has become renowned for its rapid development of winemaking, so you may consider exploring one of the local wineries.
The informal heart of the Land of 100 Lakes is the town of Sieraków, located on the Warta River and at the edge of the Noteć Forest. Notable sights here are the partially reconstructed castle, the Baroque church and the well-known stud farm.
The trail ends in Międzychód, where it meets the international R-1cycling route, which leads from Calais (France) to Saint Petersburg (Russia). An outstanding attraction in Międzychód is the so-called “laufpompa”, that is, a deep artesian well in the town center. Its water is believed to have healing properties. This town is also an important hub on the Great Waterway Loop of Greater Poland, making it an ideal place to swap your bike for a boat or kayak.
