Blue Velo - Stage VI [Trzcińsko-Zdrój - Debno]

Stage VI: Trzcińsko-Zdrój – Dębno [37 km]

This section mainly runs along local roads with low traffic. Separate bicycle paths are available at the entrance to Dębno and on the section between Dębno and Chwarszczany.

Trzcińsko-Zdrój is one of the few towns in Pomerania that was not damaged during the war, which is why today we can see compact historic buildings and numerous relics from the Middle Ages. It seems to be a still undiscovered gem, which has the potential to attract more interest due to the intersection of two long-distance bicycle routes here - our Blue Velo and the Western Lake District Route. If we have time, it is a great idea to stay overnight in Trzcińsk and take the latter route to the European Bridge in Siekierki. It is a 38 km ride on a brand new asphalt bicycle path running along a railway embankment, with a spectacular finale in the form of the longest crossing on the Oder River. At the end of June 2022, the German part of the crossing was also opened, which opens up fantastic opportunities for cross-border cycling loops.

Trzcińsko itself is also worth seeing. The word "zdrój" (spa) in its name leaves no doubt that the town was once a health resort. In 1895, a local doctor discovered deposits of peat mud, and just three years later, the first health resort was established here. In 1907, it was granted the status of a health resort, which it unfortunately lost after the war. A reminder of those times is the spa park and the beautiful, picturesquely situated Dom Zdrojowy (Spa House), now a nursing home. In the middle of the market square stands one of the oldest and most valuable town halls in Poland, built in the 13th century as a merchant's house. In the 16th century, it was given decorative late Gothic gables. The old town area is surrounded by preserved city walls over 1.5 kilometers long, including the Myśliborska and Chojeńska gates. Gate enthusiasts can take a 10-kilometer detour from the trail to see the 15th-century Świecka Gate in Chojna. It is one of the most beautiful Gothic defensive gates in the country.

Driving south on local roads, you can take a 6 km detour to Brwice to see the largest and oldest giant sequoia in Poland. Giant sequoias, also known as redwoods, are the tallest trees in the world, reaching up to 130 m in height. Although "our" tree is almost 130 years old, it is "only" 27 m high, but its trunk circumference is 361 cm. It was probably planted in 1895 by the family of General Henning von Trescow, whom we will talk about in a moment.

Another interesting place on the route is Gogolice, where we can see a church built in the 13th century and extensively rebuilt in the 18th century. However, the heart of the village was the 18th-century, newly restored manor house. The other, quite impressive farm buildings are still very neglected, and the manor park has become overgrown. I wonder if they will also see better times?

We ask ourselves the same question in Smolnica, located before Dębno, although it must be admitted that the palace, which has housed the Agricultural School Complex for almost 40 years, is in quite good condition. However, it is enough to look at archival photos to realize what a comprehensive renovation could do.

On the way to Smolnica, we pass the small village of Chełm Dolny. Unfortunately, the von Trescow family manor house has not survived, but their mausoleum in the form of a small chapel has been preserved. The building itself may not be very impressive, but it is associated with the interesting story of the aforementioned Wehrmacht general Henning von Trescow. In 1944, he was buried here with honors, but when it came to light a month later that he was one of the conspirators who planned the assassination of Adolf Hitler, his body was exhumed and burned in the crematorium of the Sachsenhausen concentration camp.

Transport: PKP railway stations are located a dozen or so kilometers from the route along the communication line from Chojna to Kostrzyn. Connections are operated by POLREGIO and Intercity. The timetable can be found at https://portalpasazera.pl

Surface: asphalt 93%, aggregate 2%, cobblestones 5%.

Type of traffic: bicycle paths 5%, general traffic 95%.