Poland's eighth-largest lake - shallow, wide open, inside Słowiński National Park. The viewing platform is in Gardna Wielka; the small Kamienna Island in the middle is a strict bird-breeding reserve.
Lake Gardno is a broad, shallow coastal lake lying entirely within Słowiński National Park, separated from the Baltic by a narrow sandbar and linked to the sea by the Łupawa river. It covers 2469 hectares but averages just 1.3 metres deep, so the water warms up quickly, and the steady wind makes it one of the favourite spots for Polish windsurfers and kitesurfers. The best view opens up from the platform in Gardna Wielka, about 10 minutes by car from Rowy.
How to reach Gardno from Rowy
The simplest way is to drive to Gardna Wielka, about 10 minutes from Rowy. From Rowy you can also paddle to the lake by kayak, up the Łupawa river, which connects Gardno to the sea.
The viewing platform and the birds
The viewing platform on the shore at Gardna Wielka is one of the best observation points in the whole park. In the middle of the lake lies the 0.6-hectare Wyspa Kamienna, under strict protection as a breeding ground for waterfowl; it can only be watched from the shore.
Windsurfing and kitesurfing
Shallow, quick-to-warm water and a steady, strong wind have long made Gardno one of the favourite spots for Polish windsurfers and kitesurfers. The lake covers 2469 hectares but averages just 1.3 metres deep.
Gardno and Słowiński National Park
The whole lake lies within the boundaries of Słowiński National Park, separated from the Baltic by a narrow sandbar. When you head down to the water, the park rules apply here, so we stick to the marked paths and respect the protected zones. We write more about the park itself in a separate guide.
