Golden Autumn in the Tricity Landscape Park: Gravel Loop from Gdańsk to Gdynia

The crisp morning air in Gdańsk carried the fresh scent of cool moisture, fallen foliage, and deep autumn woodland. Leaving the urban fringe behind took only minutes before diving into an entirely different world: the monumental moraine elevations of the Tricity Landscape Park, where towering mature beeches formed a dense, coppery canopy. My goal was a complete loop connecting the deep woodland preserves of Gdańsk, Gdynia, and Sopot along winding forest gravel roads shaped by ancient glacial valleys. The soft hum of tires on packed earth and the fresh breeze blowing from the Bay of Gdańsk signaled a day packed with scenic discoveries.

The initial kilometers departing from the edge of Gdańsk immediately showcased the dramatic topography of this slice of northern Poland. The city sits nestled at the base of steep terminal moraine ridges, meaning that as soon as the forest canopy closed overhead, the trail kicked aggressively upward. Between kilometers 3.9 and 5.3 lay the crux climb of the day—a 700-meter wall featuring ramps spiking up to 16%. In the damp forest air, the rich scent of moss and wet pine bark was unmistakable, while the 40 mm Pirelli Cinturato tires bit firmly into the hard-packed gravel, delivering uninterrupted traction on every pedal stroke.

Elevation built quickly, leaving all urban murmurs behind a curtain of dense woodland. A calm hush fell over the trail, broken only by dropping acorns and the rustle of dry leaves kicked up by the tires. Morning sunlight filtered through lingering valley mist, casting long golden bands across the path. On reaching kilometer 5.3, the route touched its highest point at 162 m a.s.l. Here, the canopy slightly opened over the moraine plateau. Though dense trees still flanked the trail, the cool northern wind and the feeling of conquering the hardest climb injected fresh energy for the rolling terrain ahead.

The track pushed deeper into the park along wide fire roads and smooth walking trails that trace historic merchant paths and forester passages. Deep ravines that held the cool morning mist transitioned into gentle hillocks blanketed with slender pines and colossal oaks. Passing trail crossings in the Oliwa Forests, weathered wooden trail markers stood as quiet testaments to over a century of outdoor recreation on these slopes.

Around kilometer 28, the route crossed an invisible municipal border into Gdynia's forest district. The terrain flanking the Krzemionki Hills and the tributaries of the Kacza stream is remarkably tranquil. Despite being flanked by a bustling metropolis, these trails felt completely untouched. A lone roe deer darted across the trail ahead, and a black woodpecker drummed into dead beech snags hunting for food.

The riding surface here was pure gravel bliss: finely packed dirt and crushed stone allowed for fluid, rhythmic cruising without bleeding momentum. The carbon fork damped road chatter effortlessly, giving pinpoint precision on tight corners and switchbacks through the deep woods.

Past kilometer 32, the profile tilted decisively downward. The track unfolded into a continuous 1.5-kilometer gravel descent dropping more than 90 vertical meters. This was pure cycling flow: speed rose effortlessly, the rush of autumn air cooled tired muscles, and the tires traced clean lines across damp, smooth gravel arcs. In this sector, the coastal moraine descends in distinct geological terraces towards the Baltic Sea, creating superb downhill runs.

Around kilometer 46, the route grazed the southern perimeter of Sopot, bringing a gentle leveling of the terrain and the salty hint of the maritime breeze. Classic seaside resort villas and Art Nouveau architectural details from the late 19th and early 20th centuries peeked through the trees at the edge of the woods. Slipping between untouched wilderness and the refined spa heritage of Sopot within minutes highlights the unique nature of this route.

The final quarter of the loop wound back through the southern reaches of the park toward Gdańsk, skirting the ravines of Dolina Radości (Valley of Joy) and old country estates. The low afternoon sun cast warm honey tones across the forest floor. Fatigue from conquering more than 530 meters of punchy climbing began settling into the legs, yet the steady rhythm of flowing over endless rolling mounds kept spirits high.

A few local walkers and forestry workers crossed paths along the wide forestry track. The damp woodland soil gave off that distinctive, nostalgic scent of late autumn that cyclists appreciate best from the saddle. The closing kilometers gently shed altitude along a wide, manicured gravel arterial before exiting smoothly back into Gdańsk.

Stopping briefly before rejoining urban tarmac, looking back at the towering golden tree line sealed the impression: the Tricity Landscape Park stands as one of Poland's finest gravel havens—rugged, punchy, and breathtaking throughout the cycling calendar.

• ↳ Samborowo Valley and Ewa Valley: Deeply carved ravines in the Oliwa district of Gdańsk featuring almost subalpine gradients, glacial erratic boulders, and centuries-old monumental oak trees.
• ↳ Krzemionki Hills and Witomino Woods in Gdynia: A maze of erosion gullies and singletrack links. A short detour leads down to the Kacza stream, a lively river exhibiting a true mountain profile on its journey to the Baltic Sea.
• ↳ Dolina Radości (Valley of Joy) & Oliwa Manor: A tranquil historical enclave boasting old water-powered forges, historic mill ponds, and grand lime tree avenues glowing amber in autumn.

• ↳ Espresso Stop & Nutrition: This loop was ridden self-supported with energy bars and hydration mix. For an enjoyable post-ride coffee stop, head to the historic square of Stary Rynek Oliwski in Gdańsk, right on the park's edge, filled with bike-friendly specialty cafés.
• ↳ Water Refills and Shelters: There are no open potable water fountains deep within the park forest network; start with two full 750 ml bidons. Sheltered wooden huts for rest are situated in Samborowo Valley and near forest stations near Gdynia.
• ↳ Recommended Bike and Tires: A gravel bike or light cross bike fitted with 40–45 mm tires with distinct shoulder knobs is ideal. Running tubeless around 2.0–2.3 bar delivers maximum grip over wet roots and loose moraine gravel.
• ↳ Navigation: The trail density inside the Tricity Landscape Park can easily lead to wrong turns. Keep the GPX track loaded on your cycling computer or smartphone to navigate junctions smoothly.