Stare Wierzchowo on the Gwda

Stare Wierzchowo lies on the Gwda and combines a distinctive church history with routes for kayaking and cycling. The “Gwda” kayaking route passes through the village between Jezioro Wierzchowo and Jezioro Smolęsko; the “Szczecineckie Jeziora” cycling route also runs through here. Other attractions include a restored half-timbered cottage and the Church of Our Lady of Good Counsel. If you want to focus on culture, riverside scenery and active outings during your trip, Stare Wierzchowo offers several points of interest.

A church with an earlier history

The Neo-Baroque Church of Our Lady of Good Counsel was built in 1928. It replaced an earlier half-timbered church, built in 1757 and funded by the landowner at the time, Jurgen Hans von Zarten. These two building phases give the village a tangible historical thread: the present-day church followed an older half-timbered building whose construction date and benefactor are recorded.

The details of the present-day building are also noteworthy. From the level of the upper floor, the tower is built using half-timbering; at the top, it has a bulbous dome with a lantern. The church also retains a wooden ceiling with its original polychrome decoration. Alongside the village’s history, visitors interested in different architectural forms and decorated interiors will find another subject to explore here. Stare Wierzchowo also welcomes visitors with a restored half-timbered cottage.

Kayaking on the Gwda

The “Gwda” kayaking route passes through Stare Wierzchowo and, on this section, connects Jezioro Wierzchowo with Jezioro Smolęsko. The village’s location on the Gwda is therefore not just a feature of the landscape, but also part of a specific kayaking route. When planning your trip, you can link the village with an interest in paddling and a route between the two named lakes.

Stare Wierzchowo also lies on the 61.4 km “Pętla Szczecinecka” kayaking route. Another landmark is the stone-and-brick bridge over the Gwda: on both sides, there are suitable spots for a short break or to start a kayaking trip. This gives you a named location in the village for a stopover or a possible starting point, without conflating the two routes described.

An alternative on two wheels

If you would rather cycle than go kayaking, you can consider including the red-marked “Szczecineckie Jeziora” cycling route in your travel plans. It is 65.1 km long and also passes through Stare Wierzchowo. The route’s stated length gives you a clear idea of the cycling distance; the kayaking routes, in turn, are defined by their connections to the river and lakes. This means the village offers several distinct, clearly named options for an active trip.

When choosing a holiday apartment, you might consider whether you want to include Stare Wierzchowo in your search primarily for its kayaking routes, cycling route or architectural history. These interests offer different focuses: paddling on the Gwda, a longer marked cycling route, or a closer look at the church and its preserved details. The choice depends on which side of the village best suits your travel plans.

Discover other places

If you would also like to explore other places in the same broader destination, you can find Sępolno Wielkie, Silnowo, Krągi, Rakowo, Spore, Szczecinek, Lubowo and Sitno here.

For the broader travel overview: Neustettin.