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Żuławy Loop

The Żuławy loop is a touristically and environmentally attractive network of waterways, joining together the rivers: Wisła, Martwa Wisła, Szkarpawa, Wisła Królewiecka, Nogat, Jagiellonian Canal, Elbląg, Pasłęka, as well as the waters of the Vistula Lagoon (Zalew Wiślany). It is 303 km of unforgettable adventure that you can experience while canoening, yachting, motorboating or houseboating. What’s worth emphasizing, is that Żuławy Loop is also a part of the International Waterway no E70, having its beginning in Antwerp and Rotterdam, continuing through the Berlin Junction of inland waterways, Northern Poland, to Kaliningrad, and further on, by the waterway of Neman River (by the Pregolya and Deyma Rivers of Klaipeda).

Finally The Loop of Żuławy is a network of ports, harbours and gangways of the highest quality, built within the frame of projects “The Żuławy Loop Projects – Water Tourism Development. Stage I”, co-financed by the European Union from the European Regional Development Fund and released by the partners, representing Pomorskie and Warmińsko-Mazurskie Voivodeships. Apart from the water routes situated in Vistula Delta and the infrastructure for water tourism, the Żuławy Loop aggregates several attractions connected with the cultural heritage of the Vistula Żuławy. The area is extremely rich in historical objects unique on nation scale,as gothic castles or arcade houses, as well as hydrotechnical historical objects: drawbridges, floodgates. The area of Żuławy Loop is, undoubtedly, a place of a rest, active recreation, unusual landscapes and fascinating nature.

Rivers: The Motława, The Martwa Wisła, The Wisła, The Szkarpawa, The Nogat, The Jagiellonski Canal, The Elbląg

Town and cities: The Motława, Drewnica, Rybina, Elbląg, Malbork, Tczew, Gdańsk

Level of difficulty: With favorable weather this is the route for a sailer. Worse weather conditions make the Wisła River disturbed and more difficult to navigate. Navigation from BiałaGóra to Przegalina doesn’t cause any problems if one follows shore signs. On Szkarpawa and Nogat Rivers the plants contaminate engine propeller.

Duration: Six days of easy sailing, c. 24 hrs all together. Possible modification-the beginning and the end of Rybina. The route counts then four days of sailing and is about 160 km long.

Length: c. 200 km

Floodgates: The number of floodgates to cross: 7

Bridges: The number of drawbridges, turning bridges, pontoon bridges: 7

Passages: The number of ferry passages: 1

Vessels: Yachts with maximum draft of 1,4 m (when the level of Wisła drops, one should control water state reports), including hull yachts if it’s possible to lay the mast under certain bridges (the lowest passage 3,7-3,3 m, depending on water level).

Starting point: Gdańsk; while, as the route has a shape of a loop, it can be started in any place.

Rivers: The Wisła Królewiecka, Sztutowo, Kąty Rybackie, Osłonka, Rybina

Town and Cities: Rybina, Sztutowo, Kąty Rybackie, Osłonka

Level of difficulty: The route for responsible sailers. One should remember that the Vistula Lagoon makes part of internal maritime waters- appropriate powers and equipment are obligatory.

Duration: Two days of recreational sailing, c. 8 hours altogether. Possible modification for houseboats: Rybina-Sztutowo-Rybina. Then it becomes a one day excursion for c. 2,5 hrs of sailing (15 km).

Length: c. 45km

Bridges: The number of drawbridges, turning bridges, pontoon bridges: 3

Vessels: Drop keel yachts  with maximum draft of 1,4 m

Starting point: Rybina, while, as the rute has a shape of a loop, it can be started in Sztutowo or Kąty Rybackie.

Rivers: The Motława, The Martwa Wisła, The Wisła, The Szkarpawa, The Vistula Lagoon

Level of difficulty: The route from Gdańsk to the Vistula Lagoon is suitable for any sailor. The Vistula Lagoon makes part of internal maritime waters- appropriate powers and equipment are obligatory.

Duration: Two days of sailing, c. 10 hours in total- c. 5 hrs per day

Lenght:c. 60 km

Floodgates: The number of floodgate to cross: 2

Bridges:The number of drawbridges, turning or pontoon bridges:5

Passages: The number of Ferry passages: 1

Vessels: Yachts with maximum draft of 1,4 m, including hull yachts which, owing to the modernization of the route will be able to pass through the drawbridge in Przegalina.

Starting point: Gdańsk

Rivers: The Szkarpawa, The Tuga

Town and cities: Rybina, Cyganek, Nowy Dwór Gdański

Level of difficulty: Route suitable for the majority of sailors, although the problems with cleaning the engine propeller or cooling system contaminated by the plants may appear.

Duration: One day, c. 5-6 hours in total

Length: c. 30 km

Bridges: The number of drawbridges, turning bridges, pontoon bridges:1

Vessels: Yachts with the maximum draft of 1 m and the height of c. 2 m (depending on variable water level in Tuga).

Starting point: Rybina- the pool between the bridges.

Rivers: The Wisła, The martwa Wisła, The Motława

Town and Cities: Korzeniewo, Tczew, Gdańsk

Level of difficulty: From Korzeniewo to Biała Góra Groins far in the current of the river; barely visible while higher water state. The closer ti Tczew and Przegalina, the easier it is to find the current and transit depths are greater.

Duration: 2 days of easy sailing, c. 8 hours in total

Length: c. 80 km

Floodgates: The number of floodgates to cross: 1

Bridges: The number of drawbridges, turning or pontoon bridges:2

Passages: The number of ferry passages: 1

Vessels: Yachts with the maximum draft of 1 m, including hull yachts

Starting point: Korzeniewo near the ferry