Sokołówka Valley

Sokołówka Valley is a nature and landscape complex encompassing the natural river valley of the Sokołówka along with Park nad Sokołówką [park over the Sokołówka], stretching through several Łódź districts from Zgierska Street to Włókniarzy Avenue. The protected area covers nearly 220 hectares and combines green spaces along the river with a young municipal park.

Sokołówka River

The Sokołówka is 13.3 kilometres long and is the only river in Łódź that has not been channelled into sewerage; it flows in a natural, open channel along its entire length. The tributaries Brzoza, Aniołówka and Zimna Woda flow into the river. This natural watercourse is the main reason why the entire valley is subject to landscape protection, unlike most other watercourses in the city.

Park nad Sokołówką

Park nad Sokołówką is the youngest park in Łódź, occupying 13 hectares within the valley. It was created as part of the development of land along the river and serves as the main recreational point of the entire nature and landscape complex, combining the function of a municipal park with protection of the natural river channel.

Protection status and development plans

The nature and landscape complex was established by a resolution of Łódź City Council on 7 July 2010. The city is conducting a river renaturalisation project intended to restore a more natural character where the channel was previously modified. In parallel, after two rounds of public consultation in 2020, a tourist and cycling route project was being prepared along the entire valley, with planned EU co-funding. The current status of the route is worth checking before your visit.

Access to the area

The area does not have a single main entrance, as it stretches along the entire river valley. The most commonly indicated access point is the vicinity of Pojezierska Street, near the Liściaste residential estate, from where entry to the park and valley area is available.

Practical information

• Address: the area stretches along the river from Zgierska Street to Włókniarzy Avenue; access and parking from Pojezierska Street (the address Liściasta 44 is the building number of the estate adjacent to the park, not the official entrance)
• Getting there: Liściasta bus stop and municipal transport lines in this area
• What to expect: natural river valley with green spaces and park, no formal opening hours, area accessible daily
• It is worth checking the current status of the cycling route project before your visit, as available data comes from consultations from 2020