Where to go for a walk? Water dams in Poland from a new perspective

Water dams in Poland are not only important hydrotechnical infrastructure but also places worth visiting – even just for a walk along their crests. They allow you to see the landscape from a different perspective and understand the role they play in water management. We have selected a few dams for you that combine technical function with tourist appeal – not only for engineering enthusiasts.

Świnna Poręba – tourist season 2025 opened!

In May 2025, the Regional Water Management Authority in Krakow once again opened the crest of the Świnna Poręba dam for visitors. Located on the Skawa River at km 26+600, the flood control reservoir stretches for 11 km, with a winding and very picturesque shoreline from which you can admire the vast water surface surrounded by the forested slopes of the Little Beskids. The facility is open to visitors on selected days from May to September, so it’s worth taking the opportunity.

Pilchowice – a historic dam in the Bóbr Valley

The Pilchowice Dam, built in 1906, is one of the most beautiful hydrotechnical structures in Poland. It is located at the 196+700 kilometer of the Bóbr River, and its structure, 69 m high and with a volume of 260 thousand m³, was constructed as a single, dilation-free entity in the form of an arch with a radius of 250 m measured at the crest level. It is the second-largest water dam in Poland. Its monumental silhouette towers over the picturesque Bóbr Valley, and a walk along the dam’s crest, possible all year round, allows you to admire not only the beauty of the surrounding nature but also the historic railway bridge, which has become a cinematic landmark of the region. The views are unforgettable – it’s absolutely worth visiting.

Solina – the icon of Polish dams

The dam in Solina is a true icon of Polish hydrotechnics and one of the most frequently visited facilities of this type in the country. It’s no wonder – the arch-shaped structure, 82 m high, creates the largest retention reservoir in Poland, stretching over more than 22 km². A walk along the Solina dam allows you to admire not only the monumental construction but also picturesque views of the Bieszczady Mountains and the vast water surface. Walking along the crest is free and accessible all year round. You can also visit the dam’s gallery – it’s worth doing to see the hydrotechnical structure up close.

Niedzica – a view of castles and the Tatra Mountains

The dam in Niedzica, damming the waters of the Dunajec River and forming the so-called Czorsztyn Lake, is one of the most beautifully situated dams in Poland. The Czorsztyn Reservoir, created by the main dam, is located at the junction of three mountain ranges: to the northwest, it is surrounded by the Gorce Mountains, to the northeast by the Czorsztyn Pieniny, and to the south, it borders the Spisz Pieniny. It is one of the largest reservoir dams located in the Polish mountains – its length is 10.5 km. At its deepest point, near the Niedzica Dam, the reservoir reaches a depth of about 50 m.

Why walk on a dam? A few reasons to do it

Although hydrotechnical facilities are not usually the first choice for a trip, a walk along the dam or its surroundings allows not only contact with nature. It is also an opportunity to discover fascinating water engineering structures, often like the dams in Pilchowice and Lubachów, which are unique hydrotechnical objects. It is worth visiting these extraordinary places and seeing Polish landscapes from a completely new perspective.