Kashubian Scenic Route

The Kashubian Scenic Route (Droga Kaszubska) is a beautiful drive located in northern Poland, traversing the heart of the Kaszubski Park Krajobrazowy (Kashubian Landscape Park) just west of the Baltic cities of Gdańsk and Gdynia. Spanning 65 kilometers from the coastal city of Gdynia to the lakeside village of Chmielno, the route takes you through a landscape formed by glaciers, characterized by gentle rolling hills, dense pine and beech forests, and dozens of interconnected glacial lakes. The region is home to the Kashubian people, an ethnic minority with their own distinct language, traditional embroidery, and unique folk culture.

Driving the Kashubian Route in a classic camper is a peaceful, slow-paced experience. The road is well-surfaced and winds gently through forests and beside lakes. While the landscape is hilly (often referred to as 'Kashubian Switzerland' due to its elevated topography compared to the rest of flat northern Poland), the gradients are very moderate, rarely exceeding 5%, making it easy driving for older engines. The route passes through Kartuzy, the historical capital of Kashubia, famous for its 14th-century Carthusian Collegiate Church. Further south, the road climbs to Złota Góra (Golden Mountain), which features a viewing platform offering a spectacular panoramic view of the Great Raduńskie Lakes chain. The route ends in Chmielno, a picturesque village nestled between two lakes, famous for its traditional Kashubian pottery workshop run by the Necel family for over ten generations.

The region is ideal for van life, offering numerous lakeside camping spots, clean water, and rich culture. Kashubians have a strong connection to the land and water, and local fish dishes (particularly herring and lake trout) are excellent. Summer is perfect for swimming and renting canoes, while autumn brings golden forests and abundance of wild mushrooms.