Due to its very slow and almost indiscernible current, it may be travelled in two directions, which allows you to go up and down the river, alternatively starting or finishing in Gdańsk. The river’s tranquil course flows through the plains of Żuławy Gdańskie, passing numerous historical items along the way, such as the charming church in Wróblewo, the ruins of a mediaeval Teutonic residence in Grabiny-Zameczek, and many old arcade houses. The river enters the centre of Gdańsk through Kamienna Grodza, branching out into a network of canals around the Isles of Spichrzów and Ołowianka, to meet the Martwa Wisła near Polski Hak (note – harbour canal – ships; a permit from the port authority required).

A trip on the Motława may be made more attractive if you take the course of the old moat along the majestic bastions of the Opływ Motławy to the Martwa Wisła, which at times looks more like a big lake (attention – waves!) than a river. The Wisła Śmiała is its arm, featuring numerous marinas and harbours. Further on the trip, we pass by the refinery, numerous river bank shipyards and marinas, eventually reaching the pontoon bridge in Sobieszewo, behind which is a small heap of phospho-gypsum. We can conclude the trip in Przegalin by the sluice (you can enter the Przekop Wisły) or in the new marina in Błotnik.

The Motława Route: 23 km

Martwa Wisła: 26 km

The recommended route:

(1) Gdańsk – Suchy Dąb – Wróblewo – Opływ Motławy – Polski Hak

– Gdańsk (54 km);

(2) Gdańsk – Opływ Motławy – Błotnik – Polski Hak – Gdańsk (52 km)

Number of days: 2×2 days

Difficulty: easy; no obstacles,

The Martwa Wisła – only in good weather!

Number of portages: 0 (on the Opływ Motławy and Kamienna Grodza there are floodgates)