Dog-Friendly Gorzow Wielkopolski: Parks, Rivers and Forest Walks
Gorzow Wielkopolski is well suited for dogs: a long riverside promenade along the Warta, the green Klodawka valley trail, extensive forests just outside the city and a network of city parks. A lead is required on all public land; fenced dog runs are available for off-lead time (including in Park Gorczynski). Rules can change, so always check current information before you go.
Gorzow Wielkopolski tends to fly under the radar as a city for dog walks - which is a mistake. This city on the Warta River has over a dozen parks, a long riverside promenade, a green valley trail along the Klodawka, and access to vast forests right on the city's edge. If you know the right spots, daily walks here are anything but ordinary.
Park Gorczynski - the city's main green space
Park Gorczynski is one of the largest green spaces in the centre of Gorzow - tree-lined paths, a fountain, a children's playground and an outdoor gym. At ul. Kombatantow 3 within the park there is a fenced off-lead area (Psia Polana), free to use and open around the clock - handy if you need some off-lead time before setting off on the park paths. A lead is required everywhere outside the fenced area.
Warta riverside boulevard - the river walk
The Warta boulevard is one of Gorzow's signature landmarks - a renovated promenade along the right bank of the river, with viewing terraces, benches, and mooring for boats. The railway viaduct running above the boulevard is reportedly the longest in Poland at 2,116 metres - hard to miss, and hard to get tired of. The promenade connects to a pedestrian and cycling path towards Lubuski Bridge.
Dogs are welcome here on a lead. The boulevard gets busier at weekends and during city events, so an early morning visit is the quieter option - just you, the river and the dog.
Klodawka trail - the green corridor through the city
The Klodawka is a river that flows through Gorzow before joining the Warta. A pedestrian and cycling trail roughly 2.5 km long runs along its banks, from the Klodawka mouth to ul. Chodkiewicza. It is the kind of walk where it is easier to hear birdsong than city noise - bridges over the stream, bends in the river, trees on both sides. The path has benches, outdoor fitness equipment and a playground, making it popular with families and dog owners alike.
A lead is required throughout, but there is enough space here for a proper walk rather than just a pavement shuffle.
City parks - everyday options
Gorzow has nine city parks. Two worth mentioning for dog walks:
- Park Siemiradzkiego - the oldest park in the city, laid out at the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries. Dense trees give it more of a forest feel than a classic urban park, with paths winding between small hills.
- Park Wiosny Ludow - 4.7 ha in the city centre, arranged around a pond. A quieter, more enclosed atmosphere. Note that the park closes at 11 PM.
A lead is required in both parks. Check current signage on site, as rules may be updated by the parks management.
Forests around Gorzow - for when the city is not enough
If urban green space is not enough, the forests around Gorzow are just a short drive away. Two large complexes flank the city:
- Puszcza Gorzowska (part of the Barlinecko-Gorzowski Landscape Park) - north of the city, with walking and cycling trails through forest with lakes, including a trail along Lake Grabino. Dogs must be on a lead (required in State Forests and landscape parks).
- Puszcza Notecka - south and east of Gorzow, one of the largest forest complexes in Poland. Forest tracks, quiet, no crowds. Lead required here too.
Check information boards at trail entrances - some nature reserves within these areas may exclude dogs.
Quick reference table
| Place | Dogs allowed | Lead | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Psia Polana (Park Gorczynski) | Yes | No | Fenced run, free entry |
| Park Gorczynski (outside the run) | Yes | Yes | Paths, fountain |
| Warta riverside boulevard | Yes | Yes | Busy at weekends |
| Klodawka trail | Yes | Yes | Approx. 2.5 km, benches |
| Park Siemiradzkiego | Yes | Yes | Forest character |
| Park Wiosny Ludow | Yes | Yes | Closed after 11 PM |
| Puszcza Gorzowska / forests | Yes | Yes (always) | Lead required in forests |
Dog rules in Gorzow - what to know
The standard Polish rules apply across Gorzow: lead required on public land, owners must clean up after their dogs and keep away from areas with explicit no-dog signage. Off-lead is permitted only inside fenced dog runs. City wardens do issue fines for owners who do not clean up.
Find more spots on the map
There is more to Gorzow than this article covers. Neighbourhood squares, riverside paths and newer walking routes all turn up on the DOGOUT map, where local dog owners tag their favourite spots and leave reviews. You can also find a walking buddy nearby or see where other people in Gorzow are walking their dogs right now.
For dog-friendly walks in nearby cities, check our guides to Szczecin and Poznan, or browse the full overview of where to go with your dog in Poland.
Get out there. Gorzow is waiting - and so is your dog.
Frequently asked questions
- Where can dogs run off-lead in Gorzow Wielkopolski?
- In fenced dog runs - the main one is Psia Polana in Park Gorczynski at ul. Kombatantow 3, plus runs on the Staszica estate. A lead is required everywhere else.
- Can I walk my dog along the Warta riverside in Gorzow?
- Yes, the Warta boulevard is open to leashed dogs year-round. The promenade runs along the right bank of the river and is popular with local dog owners.
- Are dogs allowed in the forests around Gorzow?
- Yes, the forests of Puszcza Gorzowska (Barlinecko-Gorzowski Landscape Park) and Puszcza Notecka are accessible with dogs on a lead - as required on all State Forest land. Check signage at trail entrances.
- How do I find more dog-friendly spots in Gorzow?
- Open the DOGOUT map to see places tagged by other dog owners in the area, with reviews and routes they have already tested.
