How to plan a cycling trip

There is no single best way to plan a cycling trip.

Everyone enjoys riding differently and has different expectations.

What types of cycling trips are popular?

1. Lightweight day trips
   We ride without carrying large amounts of luggage. This is the most common choice.

2. Bikepacking
   This involves riding with a small, lightweight load attached to the bike.
   It works well for both short and long routes.
   Less gear means it is easier to climb hills, overcome obstacles, and ride faster.
   One downside may be the lack of warm clothing if the weather changes suddenly.

3. Pannier touring cyclists
   These are people who travel with larger amounts of luggage carried in panniers.
   They often spend weeks, months, or even years on the road.
   Some carry a tent and everything they need, while others prefer staying in guesthouses or hotels.
   Don't be fooled—many pannier cyclists are extremely resilient and highly skilled riders.

All of these people have one thing in common: the bicycle.
It may be a trekking bike, road bike, gravel bike, MTB, tandem, or cargo bike.
Everyone chooses what suits them best.

It is difficult to create a single packing list

Every cyclist packs differently.
However, there are several excellent books that can help with preparation:

• GlobRower – Cyclist Traveler's Guide — Marcin Korzonek
• The Bicycle Adventure Handbook — Anna and Robert Maciąg
• A Small Guide to Great Expeditions — NINIWA
• The Bicycle Is the World — Karol Werner (Kołem się toczy)
• The Best Cycling Routes, Volume I — Szymon Nitka (ZnajKraj)

You can also find many guides and tips online.

The most important piece of advice, suitable for everyone:

Bring a good attitude.

It weighs nothing and helps when:

• you lose your way,
• you get caught in the rain,
• you get a flat tire,
• your chain breaks,
• or when all of these things happen on the same day.

A positive mindset is the key to a successful cycling adventure.

Planning trips in our region

If you would like to ride along the cycling routes of West Pomerania, download the Pomorze Zachodnie app.

In the app you will find:

• a map and navigation,
• Cyclist-Friendly Places (MPR), including restaurants, attractions, and accommodation where you can safely leave your bicycle and use basic repair tools,
• POIs (Points of Interest) such as monuments, memorials, viewpoints, and ferries,
• alerts about construction works or route-related issues,
• suggestions for shorter 1–2 day trips,
• the ability to plan your own route (selecting start and end points and using the “cycling infrastructure” layer),
• detailed descriptions of every route and stage, including surface types and traffic conditions.

And if you prefer the old-fashioned way, we provide maps for self-printing:

https://rowery.wzp.pl/do-pobrania

These maps are also available at selected Tourist Information Centers throughout the region.

Not sure about something? Have doubts? Join our Facebook group, which brings together 40,000 members. You will almost certainly find answers to any questions you may have:

https://www.facebook.com/groups/pomzachodnierowerem

Other useful apps

These are especially helpful when cycling outside the region:

• VeloPlanner – https://veloplanner.com/pl/routes#map
• Komoot – https://www.komoot.com/
• Mapy.com – https://mapy.com/

When you don't want to plan everything yourself

Some people prefer their trip to be planned by a company specializing in cycling tourism.

That is why it is worth exploring the offers of cycling tour operators who provide ready-made, convenient, and well-organized adventures.

Among them, we can certainly highlight:

BIRD SERVICE – self-guided tours (full logistics support)

The Great Pomeranian Cycling Tour
https://bird.pl/pomorze/
Traditional and electric bicycle rental available.

The Secrets of Pomerania on E-Bikes
https://bird.pl/ebike
Electric bike rental available.

Follow Me! – guided tours

Family Cycling Trip: Oder – Siekierki – Moryń
Date: 27 June 2026
https://followme.pl/wycieczki/27-06-2026-rodzinna-wycieczka-rowerowa-odra-siekierki-moryn/

KAMPIO – individual and group tours

Traditional and electric bicycle rental available.

Around the Szczecin Lagoon by Bike – Individual Tour (Self-Guided)
https://kampio.pl/rowerem-wokol-zalewu-szczecinskiego-indywidualnie/

Cycling Across Pomerania – Individual or Group Tour (with Guide)
https://kampio.pl/rowerem-po-pomorzu-w-grupie/

RoweLove Expeditions – for groups and individual travelers (with guide)

Bicycle rental available.

Along the Oder River and Around the Szczecin Lagoon
https://www.wyprawyrowelove.pl/wyprawa/z-nurtem-odry-i-wokol-zalewu-szczecinskiego/

A Journey with a Sea View – Kołobrzeg → Hel
https://www.wyprawyrowelove.pl/wyprawa/wyprawa-z-widokiem-na-morze-kolobrzeg-hel/

VIA VERDE – guided tours

Contact:
https://viaverde.com.pl/kontakt/

Baltic Coast – West
https://viaverde.com.pl/wyprawa/wybrzeze-baltyku-zachod-2/
Date: 29 August – 5 September 2026

Around the Great Waters
https://viaverde.com.pl/wyprawa/wokol-wielkiej-wody/
Date: 23–30 May 2026

B-Bike – guided cycling tours

Contact:
https://b-bike.pl/kontakt/

Polish Coast R10 – Group Tour
https://b-bike.pl/wybrzeze-polski-rowerem-r10/

Oder–Neisse Route – Group Tour
https://b-bike.pl/odra-nysa/

80 Rowerów – guided cycling expeditions

Contact:
https://80rowerow.pl/kontakt/

Along the Baltic Coast – Lighthouse Trail
https://80rowerow.pl/wyprawy/rowerem-szlak-latarni-wzdluz-baltyku/
Date: 31 August – 6 September 2026