eKajaki.pl • Łeba • moraine ridges, a mountain current and shifting dunes

Łeba – a kayaking trip from moraine ridges to the dunes of Słowiński NP

The Łeba is a changeable river. It delights with moraine ridges and an almost mountain character, only to calmly lead you onto a broad coastal plain moments later. And it saves the best for last – at its mouth an extraordinary lake surrounded by shifting dunes awaits.

It's a river for those seeking a challenge and a trapper-style adventure away from the kayaking crowds – one of the more difficult routes of the Polish Lowland, with a strong finale on the Baltic.

a river of mountain character for experienced paddlers PTTK Mountain Kayaking Badge Słowiński NP and the dunes finish at the Baltic

Location

The Łeba flows through the Kashubian and Słowiński Lake Districts. It rises near Borzestowo and reaches the Baltic at Łeba. It's a typical lakeland river with a large drop from its sources to Strzebielino – in places it has a mountain character. The largest town on the river is Lębork. Of its five larger tributaries the Chełst is navigable; on it you can paddle upstream all the way to Lake Sarbsko.

Route difficulty and camping conditions

The Łeba is one of the more difficult rivers – it's worth choosing durable polyethylene kayaks. The Miłoszewo–Bożepole Małe section (22.5 km) is one of the most strenuous in the whole Polish Lowland. For the Łeba you already need some experience and common sense. The tourist base is poorly developed (the exception: Lębork and touristy Łeba) – no kayak stations or campsites, but numerous wild camps; it's worth stopping with riverside hosts. Supplies are no problem – one-day stocks are enough.

Route description – what awaits you on the water

Upper section – better to start from Lake Sianowskie

The stretch to Lake Sianowskie can be so shallow that instead of paddling you face towing – so it's sensible to start the trip from the lake. The stage to Lębork takes an average of four days: charming, but not easy – a narrow channel, a brisk current and riverside bushes that hinder paddling.

Miłoszewo – Bożepole Małe: a section for the PTTK Badge

This 22.5 km stretch can count towards earning the PTTK Mountain Kayaking Badge – in difficulty it matches the Łupawa and the Radunia Gorge. Watch out especially for roots and stones in the channel.

Lębork – Łeba: a calm finale

These two days are an easy stretch, requiring no experience – you paddle across a plain with numerous drainage canals. The reward is the vastness of Lake Łebsko and the charm of the town of Łeba.

Note: Lake Łebsko and Słowiński NP

Crossing Lake Łebsko requires permission from the Słowiński National Park authority. It is rarely issued and only when windless, sunny weather is forecast – Łebsko has a marine character, conditions are changeable and high waves can appear unexpectedly. Safety first.

It's worth paddling the Łeba all the way to the Baltic – six days of trapper-style travel will leave memories for a long time. And one more thing: here you won't meet hordes of paddlers ticking off another river.