Szczelina Lechicka Gravel Ride: Kashubian Trails and 127 km of Gravel Freedom in Pomerania

A crisp morning in Gdańsk welcomed me with fresh air and the distinct scent of damp earth. The Specialized Diverge Expert Carbon was dialled and ready — tires set to 2.2 bar, sealant freshly topped up, and the drivetrain spotless. Today was never going to be a boring asphalt affair. The objective was the "Szczelina Lechicka" loop — a route carving through the rolling terrain of Kashubian Switzerland, testing both fitness and gear reliability across ever-changing surfaces.

- Distance: 127.2 km
- Elevation Gain: +1174 m / -1290 m
- Moving Time: 5h 52m
- Highest Point: 233 m a.s.l. (km 34.1)
- Crux Climb: 1.2 km, +50 m vertical (avg 4.2%, max 9%)
- Physical Difficulty: 4.5 / 5
- Technical Difficulty: 3 / 5
- Recommended Rig: Specialized Diverge Expert Carbon

Starting out from Gdańsk, I quickly left the urban bustle behind in favour of quiet forest tracks. The first 30 kilometres offered a textbook aerobic warm-up. Around Przodkowo (km 27.5), the terrain began to roll and genuine gravel gritted beneath the tires. The Diverge's Future Shock system soaked up the chatter with ease, keeping wrists fresh while maintaining a solid tempo.

The defining moment of the ride. The crux climb at km 40 serves up a 1.2 km tussle with gravity. As the gradient pitched up to 9%, I dropped into the easiest cog, hunkered down in the drops, and spun smoothly. Wattage spiked, the heart rate knocked on threshold territory, but topping out at 233 m a.s.l. rewarded every drop of sweat.

Reaching Kartuzy is not just an athletic milestone; it is pure visual reward. Kashubian Switzerland unfurls in all its glory — the Raduńskie Lakes shimmering under the sun amid a rolling landscape that completely defies the stereotype of a flat northern Poland.

The tail end of the loop is pure joy. A fast 1.4 km descent allowed me to keep on the pedals along the straight, hitting a top speed of 58.2 km/h. Adrenaline, cool wind rushing past, and the bike holding a rock-solid line on fast gravel — the absolute definition of gravel flow.

The route threads through the vibrant heart of the Pomeranian Voivodeship. The Kashubian Lake District is phenomenal — an intricate mosaic of dense woodland, glacial valleys, and ribbon lakes. Passing Przodkowo and Kartuzy, you encounter scenic viewpoints that rival low-mountain passes. This region truly breathes cycling!

Maintaining an average speed of 21.7 km/h over a 127 km loop with 1,174 m of climbing made for a thoroughly rewarding day. The steepest kickers (>12%) were short yet sharp, showing up as sharp spikes in the heart rate graph. Burning roughly 3,500 kcal demanded disciplined on-the-bike fueling.

Kartuzy is the quintessential espresso stop. It is well worth detouring slightly towards the town square. A double espresso overlooking the lake provides the ultimate mid-ride recharge. Water bidons were easily topped up at local volunteer fire stations along the route — a classic and reliable trick in Kashubia.

1. Tire Choice: 40-42 mm is the sweet spot. Pressures between 2.0 and 2.3 bar deliver comfort on exposed roots without sacrificing rolling speed on gravel.
2. Gearing: A 1x setup paired with a 10-44T cassette is ideal for tackling Kashubian rolling hills.
3. Navigation: A dependable GPX track is essential — in the labyrinth of forest roads around Kartuzy, it is easy to take a wrong turn.

Download the GPX track and experience the Kashubian gravel flow firsthand. See you out on the trails!