Birnbaum: Lake District, Trails and Culture

In Międzychód County, a distinctly hilly landscape shaped by the Ice Age and numerous bodies of water meet cultural sites and trails for a range of activities. More than 100 lakes define the Międzychód-Sieraków Lake District. This gives you a choice of nature experiences, outdoor activities and historical sights as you plan your trip—depending on what you would like to focus on during your stay in Birnbaum.

Lake District and Trails

Sierakowski Landscape Park has an extensive network of hiking, horse-riding, cycling and water trails. The estimated total length of this network is about 1,000 km. This figure gives an idea of the size of the offering; it is not the length of any one route. If you would like to include a specific cycling route in your stay, you can choose from two routes described here: the international R-1 cycle route passes through the county via Lewice, Łowyń, Gorzyń, Wielowieś, Międzychód, Mierzyn and Sowią Góra. The Szlak Stu Jezior R-8 connects Międzychód, Olandia in Prusim, Chalin, Sieraków, Chrzypsko Wielkie, Łężeczki and Białokosz.

The International Way of St. James also passes through Międzychód County. Its route through the area is 38 km long and runs via Bucharzewo, Sieraków, Chalin and Międzychód. This means that, in addition to cycling routes, you can also choose hiking trails with their own distinct theme. For a shorter nature walk, Bucharzewo has the Ostępy Puszczy Noteckiej educational trail: it is 3 km long, has ten stops and covers nature conservation and forestry.

Water and Active Recreation

The region’s waters also offer opportunities for activities on the water. The Warta River is open to water traffic along its entire length through the county; there are water tourism stations in Międzychód and Sieraków. In Sierakowski Landscape Park, motorized water sports, kayaking and sailing are among the listed forms of active recreation, along with cycling, horse riding and cross-country skiing. When choosing what to do, you can weigh up options on the water and on land, as well as different ways to stay active.

WakePark Sieraków, with a two-tower cable ski lift, is located on Lake Jaroszewskie. Those interested in horses can also visit Stado Ogierów in Sieraków, a center for equestrian recreation and sport. It breeds Wielkopolska horses and Polish Konik horses. This adds a distinct focus on horses and riding to the region’s trail offerings.

History, Architecture and Regional Education

The Muzeum Zamek Opalińskich in Sieraków displays sarcophagi belonging to the Opaliński family, as well as archaeological finds from excavations. These include stove tiles, vessels, glass and personal items. The range of objects gives a museum visit a tangible connection to the people and material culture of the region.

Several religious and secular buildings also offer their own historical highlights. The Parish Church of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Kamionna was built in 1499. Its surviving furnishings include late-Gothic choir stalls, a late-Gothic crucifix and a 16th-century bell. The Parish Church of St. Adalbert in Chrzypsko Wielkie was built between 1600 and 1609 as a late-Gothic brick building. In 1828, a late-classical, plastered masonry building was erected in Kwilcz to a design by the architect Karol Fryderyk Schinkel: the local palace, which stands in an extensive park.

In Chalin, the Ośrodek Edukacji Przyrodniczej is housed in a restored 19th-century manor house. It is part of a historic manor complex surrounded by a park. The center offers six Nordic walking routes with a combined length of 50 km; it also provides one-day educational programs and nature excursions for school groups. In Mniszki, visitors can try making clay vessels and a wicker basket in workshops. Both places combine nature or regional education with hands-on activities, but each has a different focus.

Places to Help You Explore the Area

For further trip planning, here are the pages for Miedzychod, Gorzyń, Kamionna, Łowyń, Tuchola, Chrzypsko Wielkie, Bucharzewo, Kwilcz, Sieraków, Zatom Nowy, Wielowieś, Łężeczki and Śródka.

For the broader travel overview: Greater Poland.