Szczecin Lagoon Cycle Route - Stage II [Modrzewie k. Goleniowa – Wolin]

Stage II: Modrzewie (Goleniów) - Wolin [48 km]

Marking of the trail is placed on the whole section. 

The trail continues along the road to Stepnica. A bicycle path is being built here. It will be finished in autumn, although it is already possible to use it in many places. After the village of Kąty, we turn into a forest gravel road to Stepnica, known for its large beach with sand brought from Świnoujście. We cover the last stretch before the town on the old railway track. Stepnica obtained city rights only in 2014, but it is a fishing village with a history reaching to the 13th century. We can grab something to eat in one of the most characteristic buildings on the Szczecin Lagoon - Panorama Tavern. It was built in 1840 and quickly became a popular spot among the citizens of Szczecin. The original decorations are preserved, which is quite unique in Western Pomerania. The interior is decorated in a maritime style, and the building serves also as a hotel.

2.5 km south of the town you can find one of the most valuable natural areas in Poland. Olszanka Nature Reserve has the highest density of white-tailed eagle nests not only in Poland but all of Europe. Olszanka is a huge raised bog, heavily transformed by man. Melioration took place there, and trees were planted. In 1989, over 300 ha of the forest was consumed by a great fire, which paradoxically contributed to the rescue of the place. In 1998 a reserve was established, and the landscape shaped in this way turned out to be perfect for Poland's national bird. It feeds in the nearby "canteen" that is the Szczecin Lagoon.  

We go to Czarnocin on a local road with little traffic, passing the "Białodrzew Kopicki" Nature Reserve. In Czarnocin, we enter a gravel bicycle route. This is one of the most beautiful sections of the trail, leading along the flood embankments of The Lagoon. We are in The Nature Park of the Szczecin Lagoon. This is a model area where the principles of the European Ecological Network Nature 2000 are implemented. On 4,000 hectares of meadows and pastures, you can see wild Polish Konik and hairy Scottish Highland cows. Sometimes the animals can be seen directly on our path. A resting place for cyclists will be built here by autumn 2022. From Zagórze we go again along the local road and reach Wolin.