Free: Szczecinek

Free things to do in Szczecinek: a park on Lake Trzesiecko, sandy beaches at Wierzchowo, canoeing on Studnica and three reserves nearby.

Szczecinek lies among the lakes and forests of the Drawsko Lakeland, so most places for a free afternoon need no ticket. All five places are marked free in the catalogue. That refers to the places themselves, not to services run alongside, such as equipment hire, so check their terms on the spot. Everything else in town is listed at things to do in Szczecinek, and more no-charge ideas from the region are in free attractions of West Pomerania.

Where to take a free walk in Szczecinek

The simplest choice is the Town Park, on Lake Trzesiecko, whose paths begin at Lelewela Street and end at the Town Stadium. With more time, head out of town to a lake or to the reserves. All the places described are open without sign-ups or reservations.

In town

Park Miejski w Szczecinku was laid out at the end of the nineteenth and the beginning of the twentieth century. It has old trees, a rose garden and a concert shell, and its cycling routes make up five trails. It is one of the town's main walking places, tied to Lake Trzesiecko. The wider setting of a town among lakes is described in the article Szczecinek on an isthmus between lakes: a walk round town.

By the water

Wierzchowo is a large lake in the Szczecinek municipality, about 712 to 732 hectares in area, with long sandy beaches. The Gwda, a river canoeists like to paddle, starts here. The lake is 9.6 metres deep on average and 26.5 metres at its deepest. Studnica, also called Drężno, is smaller: 102 hectares, 2.1 kilometres long and up to 0.8 kilometres wide. The Szczecinek Loop canoe route runs through it, and the village of Drężno lies on its eastern shore.

Reserves outside town

In Rezerwat przyrody Bagno Kusowo (the Bagno Kusowo reserve) a Baltic-type bog with a peat dome has been under protection since 2005. It lies about 12 kilometres north-west of Szczecinek, between lakes Trzebiechowo and Wielatowo, and an educational path leads over boardwalks. Rezerwat przyrody Dęby Wilczkowskie (the Dęby Wilczkowskie reserve) covers 3.15 hectares and protects old oak woodland and a rare plant, złoć pochwolistna. It lies about a kilometre from Świątki, a part of Szczecinek, beside cycle routes and the Las Klasztorny path.

How to combine the free places into one day

The park on Trzesiecko in the morning, then a trip to Wierzchowo or Studnica in the afternoon. Dęby Wilczkowskie lies by Świątki, which is part of Szczecinek. Bagno Kusowo needs a longer trip, but it gives a boardwalk path through the bog.

Frequently asked questions

Can you sightsee in Szczecinek without paying?

Yes: the park on Trzesiecko, two lakes and two reserves are marked free in the catalogue. Private services nearby may have their own terms.

Where are the sandy beaches near Szczecinek?

At Lake Wierzchowo in the Szczecinek municipality. The lake has long sandy beaches.

Where can you canoe near Szczecinek?

The Szczecinek Loop canoe route runs through Lake Studnica, and the Gwda, which canoeists favour, begins at Wierzchowo.

What does the Bagno Kusowo reserve protect?

A Baltic-type raised bog. An educational path with boardwalks leads through the reserve.