Linking existing cycle routes and opening up new ones

The Berlin–Szczecin–Kołobrzeg (BSK) cycle route is a project that will open up entirely new horizons and make it easier to travel to parts of Western Pomerania that have hitherto been difficult to reach by bike. Ultimately, an 800-kilometre loop will be created. Today, it is perfectly safe to cycle from Berlin to Kołobrzeg, but you have to do so via the bridge at Siekierki, following the Western Lake District Route. A new feature will be the long sections running through the Goleniowska Forest, the Golczewo region and the Gryfice region – that is, the northern part of the loop.

The first section of this branch of the Berlin–Szczecin–Kołobrzeg cycle route is now complete! Around 5.3 km of new cycle path has been built here, with the work taking place on 6 November 2026. Signs bearing the number 800 and the BSK route logo have been installed on site. For the first time in our region, signs indicating the distances to all major towns along the route have been erected, modelled on road signage. These tell us that the distance from Golczewo to Szczecin is 88 km, and to Berlin 265 km. This gives us a glimpse of how, in the coming years, it will be possible to plan long-distance trips in this area. At the same time, work is underway on further sections. Documentation is currently being drawn up for the cycle route between Babigoszcz and Kłodzino (the section between Golczewo and Stepnica). As part of the project, over 82 km of new cycling infrastructure will be built along the Stepnica – Golczewo – Gryfice – Rymań route, whilst sections running along the existing network of cycle routes will be given new, consistent signage, as described above.

Work is also underway on the other side of the border. Our German partners are completing the first sections of the future tourist attraction. Since mid-June, renovation work has been underway on the cycle path between the border towns of Mescherin and Gartz. This is a very popular section amongst cyclists from Szczecin and the surrounding area. In the first phase of the project, new rest and recreation areas have already been created: covered shelters with seating. Charging stations for electric bikes and so-called ‘smartbenches’ are also to be installed there.

Demolition work on the old road surface has largely been completed. Work is currently underway on laying the aggregate base layers for the new cycle path. The laying of the asphalt surface at two major rest areas – in Gartz (Oder) and Mescherin – is scheduled for November 2026. The laying of the binder course and the wearing course of asphalt is planned for the first quarter of 2027.

Construction is also underway on the ‘Around the Szczecin Lagoon’ cycle route. A section of nearly 9.3 kilometres between Stepnica and Kopice is being built, which will run along the flood defences bordering the Szczecin Lagoon. The project, worth over 10 million zlotys, is funded by the European Union under the project entitled ‘Cycle Route Around the Szczecin Lagoon’, implemented as part of the Interreg VIA Mecklenburg-Vorpommern/Brandenburg/Poland Cooperation Programme 2021–2027. Completion of the project is scheduled for the end of 2027. This is a continuation of the construction of the cycle route running along the flood defences on the following sections: Szczecin-Dąbie – Lubczyna (16.68 km), Lubczyna – Modrzewie (12.69 km) and Czarnocin – Skoszewo (10.92 km).

The completion of this missing section will make it much easier to cycle from Szczecin to the Baltic Sea and to travel along the eastern shore of the Szczecin Lagoon. In addition to the completed sections mentioned above, it is possible to cycle along the section of the route leading from Wolin to Międzyzdroje.

To sum up, the Berlin–Szczecin–Kołobrzeg route will be a completely new tourist product, albeit one that makes partial use of existing routes and allows them to be linked together! Ultimately, a coherent Route 800 will be established across four districts – Goleniów, Gryfice, Kamień and Kołobrzeg – running from Stepnica, through Gryfice, all the way to Gościno, with the option to continue along the Blue Velo and Old Railway Trails. Meanwhile, although the ‘Around the Szczecin Lagoon’ route has been in operation for years, efforts are consistently being made to improve further sections of it.

This article is co-financed by the European Union under the project entitled ‘Berlin–Szczecin–Kołobrzeg Cycle Route’, implemented as part of the Interreg VIA Mecklenburg-Vorpommern/Brandenburg/Poland Cooperation Programme 2021–2027.