Płotki Lake Beach in Piła

The lake that people in Piła call Płotki is officially named Płocie – the popular name comes from the holiday centre on its shore. At its eastern end there is a lifeguarded bathing area with a sandy beach of almost 10,000 m², while on the northern shore concrete bunkers hide among the trees, remnants of the so-called Piła Position fortifications. It is the closest place to town for a swim, a kayak trip or a bike ride.

A lake in the Gwda valley

Płocie lies in the eastern part of Piła, in the Gwda valley, about 3.5 km outside the town on the road to Zelgniewo. Its area is given as anything from 31 to 44 ha, depending on the source, but it is surprisingly deep: 10.8 m on average and up to 23.9 m. The water is rated class II for purity. In recent years the water level has dropped noticeably, which is worth knowing if you compare old photos with today's shoreline.

What you'll find

The Płotki holiday centre is run by Piła's municipal sports and recreation centre (MOSiR). On site there are:

• a lifeguarded bathing area 150 m long on a 300 m stretch of shore,
• a playground, a rope park and an outdoor gym,
• beach volleyball and basketball courts,
• water-sports rental – kayaks, rowing boats, pedal boats and boards,
• food stands including a fried-fish bar,
• a shelter with a brick barbecue and a campfire spot,
• bases for scuba divers.

The centre also has 37 year-round holiday cabins, and MOSiR offers 124 beds in total.

Tripto tip

A cycle path leads from Piła's centre to the lake, so on a summer weekend a bike can be easier than finding a space in the unattended car park. Lifeguards are on duty only during the bathing season – check the dates and the current water-quality rating in the Chief Sanitary Inspectorate's bathing-water service (GIS) and on the notice board at the beach entrance. Out of season Płotki is good for a walk along the shore and a look at the bunkers on the northern edge of the lake, but do not go inside them. Allow a few hours for a beach day with children, or about an hour for a walk.