The Wel River

Introduction

The Wel River is the left tributary of the Drwęca River. It flows through three provinces: Olsztyn, Ciechanów and Toruń. Its source starts in the village of Bartek and it is situated next to Dąbrowa Wielka Lake(in the Province of Olsztyn).

Around the area of Cibórz the river meanders and changes its direction heading north-west; it continues its meandering through the town of Lidzbark flowing under nine bridges. It flows out of Lidzbark Lake through the areas of Kurojady and Chełsty where it changes into a typical mountainous stream and continues into the Province of Toruń.

The river then flows to the border of Welski Landscape Park where it splits into two channels. One of them is called Bałwanka; it flows into Tylickie(Fabryczne) Lake. Around the area of Bratian the river ends and flows into the Drwęca River; at which there is a greater flow of water.

In several of the mountainous parts there are fish of great attraction trout, carp and other salmon-like fish. Warning: if you want to fish here you must pay an additional fee for mountainous rivers.

Length of the kayaking Route: 98.5 km from Dąbrowa Wielka Lake to Drwęca

1. Train Connections

From the direction of Działdowo via Lidzbark to Brodnica get out at Lidzbark

Miasto Station

From the direction of Działdowo to Iława get out at Tuczki Station

From the direction of Brodnica to Iława get out at Bratian Station

2. Bus Connections

1. Fields for Tents(Camping): Dąbrowno (Działdowska Street next to Dąbrowa Mała

Lake)

Rybno (Center for Resting Foundation Poland-Belgium, next to Rumian Lake)

Rybno Recreation-Sport Complex (beach next to Zarybinek Lake)

Lidzbark (Town beach next to Lidzbark Lake)

2. Center of Rest: Kalbornia, Dąbrówno, Nowa Wies, and Lidzbark
3. Private Lodging: Rybno-Agrotour tel. (0-23) 697 1005 ext. 125 or 131

1. The easy part: from 84.1 km (Szczpuliny) to 53 km (Podcibórz) we advise a two day kayaking trip for less experienced kayakers. This part is very beautiful and safe.
2. The difficult part: from 94.9 km (Wądzyn) to 84.1 km (road bridge Szczpuliny) it is about a three to four hour trip.

. Description of Route

The Wel River has a balanced flow during the whole year, which is caused by retention of the lakes through which the river flows: Dąbrowa Wielka Lake 98.5 km and Dąbrowa Mała Lake 96.8 km, Pancer Lake 94.9 km (Olsztyn Province), Rumian Lake 83.8 km, Zarybinek Lake 80.0 km, Tarczyńskie Lake 70.3 km, Grądy Lake 64.9 km, Zakrocz Lake 62.3 km, Lidzbarskie Lake 44.0 km (Ciechanów Province), Fabryczne Lake 16.5 km (Toruń Province).

Dąbrowa Wielka and Dąbrowa Mała are post-glacial lakes and have a channel depth (above 20 m) which signifies that they are post- glacial lakes; so that is why it is necessary to take preservation precautions particularly by the beginner water-runs.

We flow on the Pancer Lake (area: 1.1 ha, 163 meters above sea level) the lake is beautifully situated next to a hill covered with trees. The outflow (94.9 km) is at the southwest end of the lake. Beyond the lake the current is weak and the river is wide. We are close to the forest on the right side of the bank, the area becomes an attractive landscape. Farther along, there is the village Wądzyn.

We pass two surface water intakes for a gravel pit in Grzybina (through which unfortunately we must pick up the kayaks for the length of several meters) and now we flow in the alder forest complex at the Olszyny Grzybińskie reserve.

After a short time we flow under a road bridge 84.1 km (the Dąbrówno-Tuczki road) and after 300 meters we flow into Rumian Lake (area: 305 ha, 152 meters above sea level, depth: 12 m, length: 6 km). On the right side (north-east) you can see the recreational building at Nowa Wies and the high banks with forests.

Farther, we pass an Alder forest on the left side, then there is the inflow to Zarybinek Lake (area 73.8 ha, depth: medium 2.4 m, 151 meters above sea level) on 79.1 km route, around which there exists a recreation area with summer cottages. In the summer there are eating stops. We find the outflow when we flow on the left side (south-east lake) in groups of bamboo. The river flows very slowly, we pass an alcohol distillery in Tuczki on the left side, and then we flow under the road bridge 76.9 km (Działdowo-Rybno) and under the railway bridge (Warsaw-Gdańsk). In the vicinity of The Hillar’s mill in Tuczki (Agrotourist ecological farm), you must pick up and carry the kayaks on the left side.

The next 4 km we flow along the river through a picturesque forest cut by oxbow lakes. From the village Grabacz down to Tarczyńskie Lake there spreads out an extensive (130 ha) protected ecological Valley of the Wel River. Paddling, we admire a variety of natural plant communities-(plant association)-alder carr and riverside carr, rushes, wet meadows with a rich fauna of birds.

Passing 70.3 km we flow into Tarczyńskie Lake (area: 163.8 ha, depth: medium 3.8 m, 143 meters above sea level). On the right bank beside the entrance to the bay, there is the village Wery (close behind the village there is the reserve OstrówTarczyński, separating the lakes Tarczyński and Grądy). The outflow from Tarczyńskie Lake is easy to find; it is in the north west of the lake and along its bank there grows bamboo. Entering the so-called short river 68.1 km we flow into Grądy Lake (area: 112.7 ha, depth: medium 4.7 m, length: 5 km) then we go on the left to the place Tarczyny leaving the village Grądy on the right side (for curious people there is an interesting place to visit; a medieval castle which is opposite of this village, on a distinct peninsula. After flowing two kilometers at 64.9 km we find the outflow to the lake, and we go along the south side bank of the lake (ruins of a wood bridge). Nearby, west of the route there is a protected ecological area Torfowisko Wąpierskie. The river flows lazily, and we flow into Zakrocz Lake (15.1 ha) with a picturesque wooded bank, we go south-east to the outflow 62.3km. The river here is the easiest part, we suggest it for a one day excursion for beginning kayakers. In the stand of trees called Range Ząbek (on the east from the route) it is dominated by pine and spruce. This Range belongs to the project reservation Koszelewskie Ostoje (area about 140 ha) it has a characteristic fauna and landscape. In the west from the route after moraine hills (about 0.3 km) there is the next attraction for “ecological-watermen” a designated reserve Jeleńskie Bagna(swamps). This big complex (about 150 ha) is a transitional moor with marshy coniferous forests and an overgrowing lake. There is an interesting reservation there, it is a place of rare and protected plants (sundew, licopodiuem, marsh tea etc...). Farther, we flow next to the ecological protected area Bladowo (about 140 ha), within which there is another plant association: peat bog and meadows, rushes, riverside carr and alder carr.

We pass a place named Koty (58,7 km) and then we flow into Podcibórz where before the railway bridge (53.0 km) you may feel a faster current and we suggest this part for experienced kayakers. In the place Cibórz there is a park mansion with big old trees. We flow under the Działdowo-Lidzbark Bridge (rapids!) after 500 meters we flow to the accumulation of water before the old mill. WARNING. You should stop on the bank and look what will be next. From Cibórz to Lidzbark we flow through the strong meandering river admiring rare occasions of the Polish torrential rivers-the sandy banks which are several meters high. In the high village Bełk (51.5 km) on the left side, we pass the stream juncture of the Wel River and the Wkra River called Działdowka-water here inflows or outflows depending on the level of the water in the rivers. In the village Olszewo we flow under a wood bridge 50.0 km and we flow next to a closed mill in the Jamielnik-Bełk village (49.3 km) where the river changes it’s direction from the west to the north. Farther along, the route goes through the ecological protected area Okóle (above 80 m), it encircles the Wel River and its valley in the south from Lidzbark and the tree complexes in Nowy Dwór. The river in this region strongly meanders and cuts the valley. The swamped part of the valley is with many bushes makes a good place for many species of birds , amphibians and reptiles (almost all from native species). After leaving this difficult part with many obstructions we flow into the old red mill in Lidzbark passing the water scarp on the left side (in the part from Cibórz to Lidzbark Lake the slope is over 13 meters).

You may rest on Lidzbark Lake 44.0 km (area: 122 ha, depth: medium 10.1 m to a maximum of 27.7 m, length: 3.5 km), seeing Ekofloks which repairs the quality of the water; on the south bank there are many resting centers; on the south-east part there is a Forest Educational Path; around the lake there are many sources and ravines. We encounter here the biggest forest complexes in the province. The outflow is next to the inflow (the river is divided by a peninsula), farther, we flow through a small lake named Marek and next we go under the Lidzbark-Brodnica Bridge and head in the direction of Kurojady. Once again we flow through a picturesque ravine along the length of the nature reserve LAS NADWELSKI-a forest complex that is growing in the area full of outwash cut by the Wel Valley. On the west side of the Wel River there are the fields of Ciechanówko Village and there is a small (about 3 ha) protected ecological area KUROJADY encircling a meander of the Wel River. In Kurojady (38.5 km) we have to once again pick up and carry the kayaks on the left bank (private area). After 3 km we flow under the bridge and jump aside of the river next to the closed mill in Chełsty 36.0 km, here we pick up the kayaks on the right side. After the mill there are 400 meters of rapids, you need kayaking experience here. It will be better for you to see from the bank how to continue to kayak. In the north from the village there is a wet meandering valley where bamboo grows, and so do rushes with a plant community typical for a peat bog (with pine and birches), it is a good place for existing species of water birds. The encircled area is protected like the ecological protected area of Chełsty (area: about 14 ha).

After a moment the river flows gently again, then it hastens up to the character of a mountain stream. WARNING: difficult part. We kayak in the range Piekło(Hell) (a designated reserve in the Toruń Province) where the river cuts a deep ravine in altitude. A strong current, downfallen trees raise up the attractiveness of the beautiful mountain part. This lovely fragment is advisable for very experienced kayakers, particularly near low levels of water where there are protruding stones which if exposed, are implements of destruction. In the non-existent village Straszewy (28.5 km) there is a wood bridge before which it would be advisable to use discretion passing on the bank-it is dangerous to go under the bridge. We flow under a concrete road bridge (600 meters on the right there is a store in the village Trzcin), there are round strongly varying earth sculptures. With a gentle current, the river meanders through a meadow, under a bridge (Lorki), and flows to an open mill. Here the river splits into two branches, which join again only after several kilometers. The west left branch is called Bałwanka, it flows by a mill and hurries in the direction of Tylickie(Fabryczne) Lake. Once, the right branch constituted the main river bed which moved a mill which is closed at present. Gentler and more interesting to kayak is the left branch of the river. We flow in to Fabryczne(Tylickie) Lake which is very shallow (area: 80 ha, 98 meters above sea level) there are shaggy river rushes along the outflow in the northwest part of the Lake (right bank) which is very hard to find. Then the branch joins the old riverbed (15.3 km), farther, we kayak under the closed railway bridge and the road bridge Tylice-Linowiec. After two kilometers we see the road bridge Grodziczno-Nowe Miasto (11.7 km) from here to PKP Station Zajączkowo Lubawskie there is a distance of 3 km. Along the right side we pass the village Jakubkowo and the lake with the same name. The next road bridge is Jakubkowo-Kaczek where the river suddenly accelerates, and on the right side there is a fish pond. The river changes its course in the north-west to west. In the place Kaczek –power station for the private area- pick up the kayaks. We approach the place Bratian, whose landscape is dominated by a hill with the ruins of a castle which was occupied by the Teutonic Knights at the turn of the 13^th and 14^th centuries. The river divides and flows under two bridges and with such strange floodwaters the Wel River which has the greatest inflow on the left bank of the Drwęca River, ends.

After finishing kayaking it is worth watching the Wel River’s escape and the Drwęca River from the castle hill, and admire the marvelous view of the Dobrynskiej Land.

Szczegółowa mapa Parku [ Mapa 1 drukuj ] [ Mapa 2 drukuj ] [ Rzeka Wel ] [ The Wel river ] [ Der Fluss Wel ] [foto ] [wel ] [ Welski Park Krajobrazowy ] [ List do autora ]