In Poland you can find several scenic railways that can be called beautiful and rank among the most beautiful in Central Europe or Europe. Unfortunately, most of the scenic railways in Poland is closed for regular passenger services. One of the railway lines is being rebuilt.
Reda – Hel – a scenic railway line built on a spit (Hel Peninsula) in Pomeranian voivodeship. The length of the line is 62.8 km, and after trains depart from Puck towards Hel, the most beautiful section of the line begins. From the train windows, you can admire Puck Bay and the sea. In some places, it seems as if the train is running right next to the beach. I highly recommend taking a ride on this line – I personally enjoyed it very much. Outside the season, railbuses run on the line from Gdynia to Władysławowo and Gdynia to Hel. In the season, there are also PKP Intercity express trains. During the season, the trains are often overcrowded, because popular seaside resorts are located along the line. It is a perfect idea for one-day train trip from Gdansk.
Klodzko Glowne – Walbrzych Glowny – a 52 km long scenic railway line in the Lower Silesian voivodeship. The tracks run along hills and rivers, and the train passes through two long tunnels – the Sajdak Tunnel and the Small Wołowiec Tunnel – the longest railway tunnel in Poland. Between the stations Jedlina-Zdroj and Walbrzych Glowny, the train crosses a viaduct from which you can see the panorama of Walbrzych. Currently, trains on the route are operated by Koleje Dolnoslaskie. Trains are packed on weekends and during summer season. Walbrzych Glowny and Klodzko Glowne train stations are located on the outskirts of the cities of Walbrzych and Klodzko.
Tarnow – Muszyna – Leluchów – 145.48 km long railway line in Lesser Poland. The scenic railway runs along the Poprad River for much of its route. Along the line, there are hills and river valleys, and sometimes the train runs alongside the road. I had the opportunity to travel the section from Tarnów to Stary Sącz, and I especially liked the so-called Grybów Loop, where the train climbs up a hill, making a loop with breathtaking views. Some trains are operated by old EN57 units with opening windows, which allow for beautiful photographs. Along the way, there are many interesting towns (including Nowy Sącz and Stary Sącz), with a unique atmosphere, definitely worth a ride. Unfortunately, trains are often replaced by buses on sections of the route.
Bobr Valley Railway – A scenic railway line in the Lower Silesian voivodeship, connecting Jelenia Góra and Lwówek Śląski. The most scenic section is 33 kilometers long, though the line actually extends further to the town of Ławszowa, listed as the Jelenia Góra – Ławszowa line (77 km) in the list of railway lines in Poland. On the Jelenia Góra – Lwówek Śląski section, the train passes through three tunnels and four bridges and viaducts. Despite its scenic qualities, the underfunded line deteriorated over the years until train speeds dropped to 10 km/h. Trains have not run for several years, but there are reports of a possible reactivation of passenger services in the future.
Swidnica – Jedlina-Zdroj railway – a scenic railway in the Lower Silesian voivodeship – passenger trains have been recently reinstated. If you have an accomodation in Wroclaw, you can plan one-day trip through two scenic railways – Klodzko – Walbrzych and Swidnica – Jedlina-Zdroj.
Vistula Lagoon Railway (Kolej Nadzalewowa) – An inactive railway line connecting Elbląg with Braniewo (48 km). Some sections are located along the shore of the Vistula Lagoon, with popular towns such as Tolkmicko and Frombork along the route, and in Braniewo, the line connects with the railway to Kaliningrad. Despite its potential, the line fell into ruin, with an attempt to establish a draisine railway on some sections, and the potential was wasted. Due to costs, it is difficult to expect the line to be renovated in the near future. Currently, draisines run seasonally on short section from Frombork.
I have not traveled on the Zagórz – Krościenko railway line, which is also said to be one of the most beautiful in Poland. Passenger trains between Zagorz and Ustrzyki Dolne have been reinstated recently.
The scenic Żywiec – Sucha Beskidzka railway line will be renovated in the coming years.
There are all scenic railways in Poland, but some of the mountain railway lines are well-known for scenic sections.
Related articles:
Train travel in Poland – a comprehensive guide
Narrow-gauge railways in Poland
Railway museums in Poland
