The Brodnica Lake District has for several years been emerging as one of the most interesting kayaking destinations in Poland. In 2026, with increasing crowds in the Masurian Lakes, the peaceful lakes here and the wild stretches of the Drwęca River will be even more valued.
Below you will find a practical guide to which kayak routes in the Brodnica Lake District to choose in 2026 – from short outings to multi-day trips, with concrete proposals for start points, finish points and logistics for organizing a paddle with Kajak CBR.
1. Why the Brodnica Lake District for kayaking in 2026?
The Brodnica Lake District is over 100 lakes, the Brodnicki Landscape Park, the Drwęca River reserve and the Natura 2000 area Bagienna Dolina Drwęcy. In practice this means three things important for kayakers:
- quiet and almost no motorboats – on most water bodies the use of combustion engines is prohibited,
- large choice of routes – from short loops on lakes to long river paddles,
- good accessibility – from Warsaw, Gdańsk or Łódź you can reach Brodnica by car in about 2.5 hours.
In 2026 it is worth considering the Brodnica Lake District as an alternative to the crowded Masurian Lakes: prices are lower and the nature is just as impressive. Kajak CBR operates locally here, so it will help choose a route suitable for the group's level and organize kayak transport.
2. Most popular one-day routes
Partęczyny – Bachotek (via Dębno, Kurzyny, Strażym)
This is one of the most frequently chosen kayak routes in the Brodnica Lake District – ideal for a full day on the water.
- Start: Ośrodek Wypoczynkowy Partęczyny (Jez. Partęczyny Wielkie)
- Finish: Lake Bachotek (PTTK marina or area near the monument)
- Length: approx. 18 km
- Paddling time: 4–5 hours of relaxed paddling
- Route character: mainly lakes connected by short channels, practically no current
- Difficulty level: easy, good for families with children
Along the way you pass places such as Dębno, Kurzyny, Lake Strażym and enter Bachotek – one of the most beautiful lakes in the region. Because Skarlanka has minimal current, this route can also be planned in 2026 in the reverse direction (Bachotek → Partęczyny) if that is more convenient logistically.
Why choose it? - lots of spots for swimming and breaks, - option to end the day with a bonfire or overnight stay at PTTK Bachotek, - easy access and kayak pickup organized by Kajak CBR.
Brodzka Dam – Brodnica (regular Kajak CBR route)
This is a classic when it comes to Bachotek Brodnica kayaking and the surroundings – a stretch of the Drwęca River ideal for a first contact with the river.
- Start: Brodzka Dam (approx. 100 km of the Drwęca)
- Finish: Brodnica, "Zakole Drwęcy" marina (87,6 km)
- Length: approx. 12.5–13 km
- Paddling time: 3–4 hours
- Route character: river with a gentle but noticeable current, many meanders
- Difficulty level: easy/medium – good for beginners but a "real river"
Kajak CBR offers this route as a regular option: - 70 zł/os (two-person kayak), - 90 zł/os (single-person kayak), - included: kayak rental, paddles, life jackets, transport of equipment and transfer of participants.
This is a great choice for a one-day trip: launch in the morning, an afternoon walk around Brodnica (castle ruins, Large Market Square, Mazurian Tower), and return to base in the evening.
3. Multi-day routes and combining lakes with the river (Skarlanka → Drwęca)
The biggest advantage of the Brodnica Lake District is the possibility to combine peaceful lakes with the Drwęca River as part of a single multi-day paddle.
Classic 2 days: Wielkie Partęczyny – Bachotek – Brodnica
Day 1: Wielkie Partęczyny → Bachotek
Variant via Dębno – Kurzyny – Strażym (as in the one-day route). Overnight stay:
- at PTTK Bachotek,
- or at another resort on Bachotek.
Day 2: Bachotek → Brodzka Dam → Brodnica
- in the morning you set off from Bachotek,
- paddle Skarlanka to Brodzka Dam,
- then the Drwęca to Brodnica (approx. 19 km in total).
This is an ideal arrangement for groups that want to experience both lakes and the river but don’t have time for a longer holiday.
3–4 days: Nowe Miasto Lubawskie – Głęboczek – Brodnica – Kupno – Golub-Dobrzyń
For those seeking a longer adventure Kajak CBR proposes, among others, the following plan:
- Nowe Miasto Lubawskie → Wielki Głęboczek
First day on the Drwęca, a gentle introduction to the river. - Wielki Głęboczek → Brodnica (28 km) or shorter to Brodzka Dam (15,5 km)
- Brodnica → Kupno (19 km) – overnight at the campsite "Miejscówka Kupno" right on the Drwęca (showers, kitchen, shelter, bonfire area).
- Kupno → Golub-Dobrzyń (23,5 km) – finale under the castle in Golub.
Routes can be shortened or extended, e.g. finishing in Konstancjewo instead of Golub. Kajak CBR helps tailor daily stretches to the group's fitness and books accommodations (Bachotek, Brodnica, Kupno).
4. Routes for beginners vs advanced (including the Wel stretch)
For beginners and families
The safest and most predictable routes in 2026 will be:
Lake routes, without current:
- Partęczyny → Bachotek,
- Ciche → Karaś → Zbiczno → Strażym → Bachotek (approx. 16 km, 5 h),
- shorter variants around a single lake (e.g. just Bachotek).
Gentle river:
- Brodzka Dam → Brodnica,
- Głęboczek → Brodzka Dam (15 km, approx. 4 h),
- Brodnica → Kupno (5–6 h).
Features of these routes: - wide riverbed, no thresholds or rapids, - possibility to easily interrupt the paddle and get ashore, - good accessibility for transport and kayak pickup.
For families Kajak CBR has three-person kayaks (e.g. BeKayaker Family 3) and two-person kayaks with a child seat (Finder Active II, Luna Exo). Life jackets are available for children from about 6 years of age.
For advanced paddlers – Wel and "Piekiełko"
If you already have river experience and are looking for adrenaline, consider the Wel – a right tributary of the Drwęca, about 25 km from the Brodnica Lake District.
The most interesting section is the famous "Piekiełko": - a stretch of approx. 2 km between Chełsty and Trzcin, - fast current, numerous bends, obstacles in the channel, - character resembling a mountain stream.
Kajak CBR organizes Wel paddles only for larger, organized groups and only for people who: - have already paddled the Drwęca or similar rivers well, - can maneuver a kayak in fast current, - are fit enough.
Wel is a great complement to the calmer routes on the lakes and the Drwęca, but it is not a "first-time" proposition.
5. Logistics – kayak transport, start and end points, maps
How to organize a paddle with Kajak CBR?
Contact:
- phone: 500 159 361 (Michał Muszyński),
- e-mail: kajakcbr@gmail.com,
- form: https://www.kajakcbr.pl/kontakt.
Deciding on the route:
- you provide the date, number of people and experience level,
- you choose together the stretch (e.g. Partęczyny → Bachotek, Bachotek → Brodnica, Brodnica → Kupno),
- for multi-day paddles – also accommodations (Bachotek, Brodnica, "Miejscówka Kupno").
Transport:
- Kajak CBR delivers kayaks to the start point and picks them up at the finish,
- equipment transport rate: from 4 zł/km (van + trailer, up to 15 kayaks, up to 8 passengers without extra charge),
- for the regular Brodzka Dam – Brodnica route transport is already included.
Equipment:
- included in the rental: kayak, 2 paddles, 2 life jackets, optionally 1 dry bag,
- fleet: e.g. Aquarius Pro Tour 470, BeKayaker Finder Active II, Aquarius Traper.
Formalities and safety:
- identity document is required,
- wearing life jackets is mandatory,
- alcohol consumption during the paddle is prohibited,
- the paddle must end before dusk.
Start and finish points – practical examples
- Lakes: Partęczyny, Ciche, Rytebłota, Grzmięca, Bachotek (PTTK or monument), Łąkorek.
- Drwęca (upper river): Kurzętnik, Nielbark, Wielki Głęboczek, Bartniczka, Brodzka Dam, Brodnica.
- Drwęca (lower river): Brodnica, Kominy, Kupno ("Miejscówka Kupno"), Konstancjewo, Golub-Dobrzyń.
Kajak CBR is mobile – you can suggest your own variant and the company will adapt the logistics.
Maps and navigation
- it is worth having a paper map of the water trail of the Brodnica Lake District (Kajak CBR can lend one for the paddle),
- on the Drwęca it is helpful to know the kilometre markings (e.g. 100 km – Brodzka Dam, 87,6 km – "Zakole Drwęcy", 68,5 km – "Miejscówka Kupno"),
- on lakes an app with offline maps works well (e.g. Mapy.cz, Locus, OSMand).
6. Best season and water conditions in 2026
When to paddle?
Based on previous seasons and the character of the region, it can be assumed that in 2026 the optimal periods will be:
May – June:
- high water levels after spring,
- fewer tourists, many birds in the Bagienna Dolina Drwęcy,
- cooler but stable weather.
July – August:
- peak season, warmest water,
- more people on popular stretches (Partęczyny, Bachotek, Brodzka Dam – Brodnica),
- it is worth booking kayaks and accommodation in advance.
September:
- quieter on the trails,
- still pleasant temperatures,
- a great time for longer Drwęca paddles.
Water conditions – what to watch for in 2026?
- Skarlanka and the lakes – with typical rainfall they remain navigable in both directions (practically no current). In dry years shallower channels may appear, but usually this does not hinder paddling.
- Drwęca – as a nature reserve it is maintained in a as-natural-as-possible state. Water level depends on rainfall:
- after heavy rains the current speeds up and more fallen trees appear,
- in drought periods the river is shallower but still navigable on stretches served by Kajak CBR.
- Wel – especially in the "Piekiełko" area conditions can change quickly. Before planning a paddle in 2026 be sure to contact Kajak CBR to assess the current water level and safety.
When planning a Drwęca paddle (routes 2026) or lake trips in the Brodnica Lake District, it is worth using local support. Kajak CBR will help choose a route (from Partęczyny and Bachotek to Brodnica and Kupno), organize kayak transport and accommodations.
If you want to plan a specific paddle – one-day, weekend or multi-day – contact Kajak CBR:
- phone: 500 159 361
- form: https://www.kajakcbr.pl/kontakt
Book a date for 2026 now and discover the Brodnica Lake District from a kayak.
