Lake Malta

Lake Malta is a long artificial lake just east of the centre of Poznan, formed in 1952 by damming the Cybina river. It doubles as one of the best rowing and canoe courses in Europe and as the city's main outdoor playground. The water runs dead straight for a little over two kilometres, which is what makes it useful for racing and easy to walk right around.

This is where Poznan comes to move. The lake gives you a flat, uninterrupted loop close to the Old Town, plus a cluster of attractions along the shore that keep families busy for a full day. It works in most weather and across the year: trails and races in the warm months, the ski slope and the baths when it turns cold.

A flat path circles the water, popular with walkers, runners and cyclists. Along the shore are Malta Ski, a year-round dry ski and snowboard slope with a summer toboggan run, and Termy Maltanskie, a large thermal baths and pool complex on the north side. The Maltanka, a narrow-gauge railway, runs along the north shore in season, hauled by a steam engine toward the New Zoo. The regatta course itself, a little over two kilometres long, has hosted world and European championships in rowing and canoeing, so regattas and dragon-boat races fill the summer calendar.

The lake was created in 1952 when the Cybina was dammed, and the shore was built up over the following decades into the sports and leisure park it is today. The rowing course was rebuilt to international standard and has held major championships, which is why the venue is known well beyond the city.

Late spring to early autumn is the busiest and best for the water, when the Maltanka runs and races are on. Summer weekends draw the crowds, so come early for a quiet lap. In winter the ski slope and the baths carry the place, and the loop is still a good cold-weather walk.

The lake is a short tram ride or a walk east from the Old Town, with stops near the western end by the dam. Combine it with the Old Market Square or the green hill of Cytadela. See the Poznan guide for city transport.

The lake sits between the Old Town and the eastern edge of the city:

• The Old Market Square and the town hall goats, back towards the centre.
• Cytadela, the fortress-hill park to the north.
• The New Zoo, at the far end of the Maltanka railway line.

Yes. A flat path runs the full way around the water, a loop of roughly five to six kilometres, and it is free and open at all times.

Malta Ski runs a year-round dry slope, and in the warm months it also opens a summer toboggan run. Check the operator's official channels for current hours.