Tricity Coastal Loop: Gravel Trails from the Moraine Hills of Gdańsk to the Shores of Gdynia

The morning air atop the moraine hills of Gdańsk carries a unique freshness unseen further inland. It combines the cool dampness of beech woods with a faint, salty tang lifted off the waters of Gdańsk Bay. When I clipped into my Specialized Diverge Expert Carbon in the early afternoon, the urban buzz below was just finding its rhythm. The day's objective was simple: complete a 60-kilometer loop threading three distinct urban characters—historic Gdańsk, the elegant resort of Sopot, and bold, modernist Gdynia.

This ride is far more than a typical spin along city paths. It is an engaging masterclass in local geography and landscape architecture, where steep glacial moraine ridges quickly open out onto flat maritime shores, wave crests murmur through pine parklands, and contemporary cycleways trace the edges of historic resort villas.

The journey kicked off from the highest crest of the entire loop—a moraine plateau standing at 100 meters above sea level. Before getting fully up to cruising speed, a glance eastward over the rooftops revealed the blue sheen of the Baltic Sea on the horizon. The opening kilometers delivered pure downhill flow. Dropping over sixty vertical meters down into the coastal valley required focused handling, but the FACT 9r carbon frame paired with the stability of Roval Terra C carbon wheels inspired immediate confidence.

Leaving the upper terrain behind, the route joined a continuous ribbon of dedicated bike paths and park avenues. My 700x40c Pirelli Cinturato Gravel M tires rolled smoothly across the mixed surfaces, gliding effortlessly from pristine tarmac to firm, damp gravel. Around kilometer 11, I paused briefly at a designated rest stop in Gdańsk. A swift three-minute break was all it took to adjust my saddlebag strap, take a deep breath, and watch the street bustle fade into the tranquility of the seaside park.

Shortly after, the trail traced directly along the shoreline. At the Entrance 34 rest area in Gdańsk (km 12.2), the pine forest parted to unveil pale coastal dunes. Leaning the Diverge against a wooden railing, the aroma of sun-warmed pine needles blended with the fresh maritime breeze—the hallmark Baltic atmosphere that makes every pedal stroke worthwhile.

Heading north, you join one of Poland's most scenic coastal shared paths. The route skirts Ronald Reagan Park before crossing seamlessly into Sopot. Here, riding cadence drops naturally—not from fatigue, but from the desire to absorb the seaside aura. Ornate Art Nouveau seaside villas peeking through old-growth trees offer a striking visual counterpoint to the raw shoreline.

At kilometer 22, it was time for a longer pause near Entrance 20 in Sopot. This renowned coastal strip buzzes with quiet energy year-round. Leaning back by the bike with views of rolling surf and white sand, I had a sip from my bottle while watching gulls wheeling overhead. The Future Shock 2.0 system integrated into the headset worked wonders, soaking up wooden boardwalk transitions and tile seams so my upper body remained completely relaxed.

Reaching Gdynia marked the halfway turnaround. Crossing into its city limits, the scenery shifted dramatically. Resort elegance gave way to monumental modernist facades, broad maritime boulevards, and the brisk coastal character of a port born from maritime dreams. Taking a brief breather at the Gdynia rest point (km 31.7) at low coastal elevation, the flat terrain was reflected in a solid rolling average around 19 km/h.

Turning back southwards, I routed onto alternative path variants to keep the perspective fresh. The late afternoon sun began casting long shadows across the coastal tree lines, bathing the pine canopies in warm amber tones. Spinning back toward Gdańsk felt remarkably meditative. The level profile over the next dozen kilometers allowed an unbroken, steady wattage output.

At kilometer 46, by the Jelitkowska rest point in Gdańsk, I stopped for a seven-minute break. Jelitkowo is an old fishing settlement that preserves its heritage in timber-framed cottages tucked along side lanes. Sitting on a park bench watching the Oliwa Stream empty quietly into the bay, the legs began to feel the accumulation of distance. Yet the fast roll of the Roval Terra C wheels and the crisp indexing of the SRAM Rival 1 eTap AXS drivetrain kept the effort light and engaging.

A true test of climbing power remained saved for the finale. Leaving the shoreline flats behind, the route pointed inward and upward toward Gdańsk's upper moraine terrace. After miles of pancake-flat terrain, the moraine slopes reared up like miniature alpine passes.

The segment between kilometers 57.5 and 58.6 distills Gdańsk's unique topography: a 700-meter climb packing 50 meters of elevation gain, kicking up to a maximum gradient of 14%. A quick five-minute breather at Franciszka Rakoczego street (km 57.7, 36 m a.s.l.) offered a chance to regroup before tackling the steepest pitch. The wide gearing of the SRAM XPLR 10-44T cassette paired with a 40T chainring allowed me to stay seated and spin smoothly up the wall without unseating.

Rolling through the final turn with the computer clocking 60.1 km and 233 meters of climbing, any fatigue transformed into genuine satisfaction. Seen from the saddle of a gravel bike, the Tricity emerges as a beautifully cohesive corridor where quiet moraine forests blend seamlessly with the broad Baltic horizon.

• ↳ Ronald Reagan Seaside Park in Gdańsk: One of Poland's premier coastal parks, flanking Przymorze and Brzeźno. It pays to divert onto the crushed-limestone gravel lanes looping around the ponds, alive with waterfowl and sheltered under tall coastal pines.
• ↳ Historic Fishermen's Settlement in Jelitkowo: Nestled where the Oliwa Stream meets the sea, this enclave features preserved turn-of-the-century timber-framed homes that evoke the historic roots of the Baltic coastline.
• ↳ Kępa Redłowska Reserve & Gdynia Cliffs (Optional Detour): Near the halfway mark in Gdynia, a 20-minute detour leads into Kępa Redłowska. One of Poland's oldest nature reserves, it boasts dramatic active coastal bluffs and ancient beech trees sloping down toward the sea.

• ↳ Coffee Stops & Local Flavor: Take advantage of authentic seaside stops. Around km 11.4, the Gdańsk rest point is great for an equipment check. For an extended espresso stop with sea views, check out the eateries near Entrance 20 in Sopot (km 22) for excellent coffee and pastries.
• ↳ Hydration & Rest Stops: During warmer months, drinking fountains operate along the coastal promenades of Gdańsk and Sopot. Sheltered pavilions and benches are widely available throughout Ronald Reagan Park and at dune beach gates.
• ↳ Bike & Tire Recommendations: A gravel bike or lightweight cross bike fits the route best. Tubeless tires between 38 and 42 mm with a low-profile center tread (such as the Pirelli Cinturato Gravel M) offer the sweetest blend of road speed and loose gravel traction.
• ↳ Navigation & GPX: Navigating the Tricity can be tricky due to intersecting cycling paths. Download the supplied GPX track to stay on the scenic line without missing the best viewpoints.