A wooden bell tower stands on the façade of the Church of Our Lady of Mount Carmel in Wierzchowo. Together with the rectangular brick building, it forms a distinctive architectural landmark. The church was completed and blessed in 1990; it was consecrated on 18 July 1992. The history of the village goes back further: in the Middle Ages, Wierzchowo belonged to the Teutonic Order.

Church history and architecture

The feast day of Our Lady of Mount Carmel is also associated with a specific date: 16 July. If you are interested in local celebrations, check the exact arrangements locally. There is also a filial church of Our Lady, Help of Christians, in the nearby settlement of Wierzchowo Dworzec. It belongs to the Wierzchowo parish. This means two distinct church-related landmarks stand side by side: the history of the village church and the filial church in the nearby settlement.

Lake, reeds and river

Lake Mąkowo lies in the vicinity of Wierzchowo and covers almost 30 hectares. Extensive reed beds now stretch across the area. The Kamionka River rises near Wierzchowo, on the border of the Człuchów municipality, and is considered suitable for kayaking trips. The lake and river therefore offer different natural attractions: the lake’s reed beds on the one hand, and a river for possible paddling trips on the other. If you are considering a trip on the Kamionka, check local water conditions and access before setting out.

Plan your hikes and horseback rides

The St James hiking route runs mainly through fields, forests and nearby villages. Near the lake, there are damp sections along the route; mud can make walking difficult, and conditions vary with the season. A St James EDK hiking route passes through Mąkowo, Wierzchowo, Mirogniew, Bukowo, Przytok, Dębnica and Człuchów. Check the current trail markers before hiking. For riders, the 0.9-kilometre Wierzchowo Człuchowskie bridle path is another named option. As the route distance comes from a planning document, you should also check the current conditions of the bridle path locally. The routes differ in activity and course; a kayaking trip is subject to the conditions on the river.

In the wider Czluchow destination

Other scenic places in the wider Czluchow destination offer a broader regional perspective. Lake Gostudno covers 46.38 hectares and is fed by the Czerwonka River. On its eastern shore there is a car park, a beach, a pier and a recreation area; check the condition of the facilities before travelling. Lake Bardze lies in the “Czerwona Woda nad Babilonem” Special Protection Area. At Lake Sporacz, the lake, surrounding bog and forest form a nature reserve rich in water and flora. The “Sosny” forest nature reserve in Sieroczyn covers 1.55 hectares and protects valuable plant, fungal and animal species.

Cultural destinations in the wider region

Cultural sites in the wider Czluchow destination also offer a variety of historical connections. Beside the palace in Stołczno is a landscape park dating from the mid-19th century, which is listed in the register of monuments of Poland’s National Heritage Board. The Church of the Holy Trinity in Polnica was built in 1780–1781 and is the oldest surviving church in the Człuchów municipality. In Krępsk stands the filial Church of St James the Apostle, built in 1737. Its Baroque interior includes a pulpit from the castle chapel in Człuchów. These regional stops offer a different focus from the church and trails in Wierzchowo.

See the wider travel overview: Czluchow.