BÓBR (BOBER, BOBR, POBER, BOBRAWA) The Bóbr is a completely different route than the peaceful Szprotawa. In the Lower Silesian Forest section it has the character of mountain water, often deep and wide. It flows out on the Czech side of the Karkonosze Mountains near a village of the same name as the river.

And it’s hard to believe that an innocent muddy spring soon turns into a respectable water element. The Bóbr is 272 kilometers long and is the largest left-bank tributary of the Oder River, into which it flows at Krosno Odrzanskie.

The once annual international canoeing event “Bóbr River of the Piasts” started in Jelenia Gora and ended in Zagan, always attracting hundreds of canoeists from the country, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, the former USSR, Hungary and Germany (DDR). It was a really good event, combined with sports competition for those willing to participate.

Through the area of the Lower Silesian Forests, the river flows first in the Lower Silesian and then in the Lubuskie Voivodeship. The subject of interest in this article is the section Boleslawiec – Szprotawa, flowing meridionally through the forest, about 45 km long. It is best to break it up into 2-3 days of rafting.

The current of the river is generally dynamic, with the exception of flooding in front of dams and weirs. The river bottom is mostly gravel, here and there with sandy patches. One has to reckon with trees lying on the bottom and protruding sharp barbs. The width of the riverbed proper varies between 15-20 m, reaching its greatest widths at the bends.

River rafting is very pleasant at medium and medium-low water levels. After rainfall and at the opening of the dams, when the water becomes murky, you can’t see the bottom and all the underwater obstacles.

We start in Boleslawiec from under the weir by the impressive historic railroad bridge. The city has a beautifully restored market square and is world-famous for its production of original ceramics (you can tour the production line and purchase souvenir wares). It should be added that in the Bóbr river valley there are many former gravel and sand pits, which now serve as fishing and recreational ponds where you can camp. This is also the case with the first villages of Boleslawice and Łąka that are passed on the route. The entire route of the rafting trip runs parallel and close to the provincial road No. 297, which ensures close contact with the road route if necessary.

Still before Krępnica we will pass under the bridge linking the A4 road. A few kilometers further on we will pass under the bridge linking the road connecting the villages of Krępnica and Dąbrowa. The surrounding landscape is captivating. The next village on the route is Golnice (bridge). In the forest, on the left bank of the Bóbr River, there is a military shooting range that is part of the large military training ground Żagań-Świętoszów. We pass under the bridge linking the A18 (Berlin-Wrocław) road and reach Parkoszów (bridge). Nearby, on the right bank, by the ponds, is the now ruined Falklandy resort. The next bridge we pass splices the road between Trzebień (on the right bank) and Trzebień Mały (on the left bank). In Trzebień there is a restaurant. Reaching the vicinity of Trzebień Mały and then Stara Oleszna (on the right bank), we find ourselves in the land of fishing and recreational ponds (Bobrowieckie Ponds). Attention is drawn to the high mountains of sand (dunes). In Stara Oleszna there is a dam, to the left the riverbed may be dry or the water too shallow, to the right we arrive at a hydroelectric power plant with the necessity of portage. Right next to it is a bridge. This area and the neighboring (a little farther downstream) Kozlow are recommended for a stopover and overnight stay. In Stara Oleszna there is a store, in Kozlow there is a bar “Nad Stawami”. To the left of the bridge grows a natural monument – oak “Lach” (about 400 years old). One of the ponds near Kozlow is a protected area as a breeding ground for the laughing gull. The ponds are located on both sides of the Bóbr River, those on the left are connected to each other. Most of the ponds on the left bank are privately owned, but they are just for fishing and recreation.

Leaving Kozlow, we soon arrive at a large concrete double bridge (post-German). One of the spans was once blown up and its remains linger in the water. Just ahead is a sapper’s bridge, and just behind is a small weir (a portage or canoe crossing is necessary). It is worth mooring here to view the surrounding area from the bridge. The bridge leads to the military training ground, to the abandoned military settlement of Pstrąże (Strachów) – on the left bank. Behind the bridge, as well as before, the high broken riverbanks are impressive.

Another bridge is located at the corner of the hamlet of Buczek. Here, too, on both sides of the river are ponds and post-work ponds. Behind Buczek there is a railroad bridge (view from the bridge) and a large weir with a power plant in Upper Leszno. Behind the weir on the right bank the buildings of a large tannery (until 1945 a pulp and paper factory). The branch leading to the right is a power canal – we don’t go there. The portage is best made on the left bank of the weir, even before the concrete threshold (be careful). In Upper Leszno (on the right bank) there are grocery stores and a bar. On the left bank – the village of Sierakow.

The route continues to the villages of Leszno Dolne (right bank) and Bobrowice (left bank), which lie across the river, with a hydroelectric power plant (portage) just before them. In Leszno Dolne there is a Baroque Catholic church and the ruins of an Evangelical church, as well as a palace and the remains of a former manor house. South of Bobrowice – agritourism farm “Nad Bobrem” (recommended for its food specialties – wild boar in the Swiecian way, pine syrup, liqueurs).

Then meandering, the river flows to a weir and hydroelectric power plant near the villages of Dziećmiarowice (right bank) and Nowa Kopernia (left bank). Dziećmiarowice borders Wiechlice, where there is an old disused military airfield. In Wiechlice – a hotel.

We arrive at the turnpike of Sprotava. On the left the district of Puszczyków (Gothic church and penitential cross), on the right the historic park “Dęby”. Soon the dam and hydroelectric power plant, and before it to the right the entrance to the lagoon. We sail left towards the power plant and make a portage on the right bank.

A few hundred meters after the power plant, there is a bridge (under the bridge watch out for stones and concrete blocks lying in the water). Just after the bridge, on the left side of the meadow (Szprotawskie Błonia), where you can finish the canoeing – here was always the inter-stage station of the international canoeing trip “Bóbr River of Piasts”.

Nearby (on the right bank) is the Sprotava Land Museum in the historic Zagan Gate. The canoeist should also take a look at the nearby mouth of the river Szprotawa (right tributary) to the Bober. In the city center – the town hall with a crooked tower, a Gothic church and beautifully landscaped park promenades. A hotel is also available.

Attention!

The author cautions that the above description of the route does not include all elements and does not guarantee safe rafting. The river is an element that constantly changes the conditions of rafting, and man constantly transforms the environment, creating new circumstances (such as new weirs and hydroelectric power plants). You should always be reliably acquainted with the rafting route, including by seeking advice from a kayaker familiar with it. The rafting trip should be led by an experienced pilot.

Article author: Maciej Boryna

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