Route 3: Through the fields, meadows and a forest reserve

Miechów, Bukowska Wola (2 km) Kalina Wielka (10,5 km) Giebułtów (13,5 km) Książ Wielki (20 km) Rzędowice (25 km) Tunel (37,5km) Siedliska (46 km) Miechów (49 km) 

49 km, 5h, difficulty – medium

Altitude profile of the route:

It is a fairly easy route, without demanding climbs, and the only difficulty lies in its length. We start at the market square in Miechów, where it is worth seeing the Basilica of the Holy Sepulchre and the wooden manor house "Zacisze". We take road No 783 towards Racławice and, after about 5 km, we turn left to head Kalina Wielka. In Kalina Wielka, there is a manor and, a bit further to the right, a historic church. We take the main road next to the fire station and go towards Giebułtów. We turn left and after 2 km we turn off the asphalt road to the right, next to a roadside cross, and ride on the gravel road through the meadows to Częstoszowice. We pass by the picturesque ponds and turn left to Książ Wielki. We recommend to visit here the impressive Mirów Castle (there are plenty of signposts that will guide us there) and the church with a wooden belfry in the centre of the town. We carefully cross the national road No 7 and a little further, alongside streets, we go left to the road heading at Mianocice, from where we can see the Haller family palace. Following the map, we go through Rzędowice and then Przybysławice, passing numerous intersections. At the end of the village, right in front of the church, at the bifurcation we choose the right arm (although turning left at the earlier intersection, we can shorten the route a bit – cycling through Podleśna Wola). A little farther we cross the intersection and continue on a gravel road through a small culvert under the tracks to the other side. For about 1 km we cycle along the tracks, then turn left and go west along the edge of the forest. After getting to a small ridge, we turn left and go deeper into the forest. We shall then reach an asphalt road, passing by the "Biała Góra" reserve on the right. We turn left and then right – before the railway crossing in Tunel. We ride about 2 km through the forest and turn left after crossing the tracks. In Pstroszyce, we pass under the railway viaduct and turn right. Before finishing the trip in Miechów, it is worth stopping at Siedliska to see the local wooden church.

ATTRACTIONS ON THE ROUTE:

1. The Basilica in Miechów – the rich history of the city – dating back to the 12th century – is strongly related to the Order of the Holy Sepulchre, which used to have its headquarters in Miechów for almost seven centuries. Its members, invited to Poland in 1163, built and consecrated the church and monastery buildings in 1170. A replica of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem played a significant role, becoming a place of worship for numerous pilgrims. The unique religious building with preserved Roman elements, rebuilt after the fires in the 18th century, with a rich rococo interior and a late Baroque presbytery, is still the pride of the city.
2. "Zacisze" Manor in Miechów – a classic example of the construction of the second half of the 18th century. The walls have a log structure, and the one-story building is crowned with a Polish mansard roof made of shingles. The date engraved on the beam points at 1784. The whole structure of the manor was made of larch wood.
3. The church in Kalina Wielka – built in pseudo-Gothic style in the years 1903–1908. In the main altar there is a picture of Our Lady of Kalina famous for its favours.
4. "Mirów Castle" in Książ Wielki – this late-Renaissance castle was erected in 1585-99 as the residence of Piotr Myszkowski, the bishop of Kraków. Rebuilt in late Baroque and neo-Gothic style, it rises among a beautiful park founded at the end of the 16th century. On both sides of the palace, there are two pavilions of the same age with front wide porticos, originally housing a chapel and a library. At the foot of the castle hill there are fish ponds covering the area of about 80 ha.
5. St Adalbert church in Książ Wielki – built in the Gothic style in 1325. Rebuilt in the 17th and 18th century, it now has Renaissance and Baroque furnishings. In the main altar from 1682 there is a picture of the Our Mother of Consolation from the 16th century, famous for miracles.
6. Haller family Palace in Mianocice – built in the 18th century, it was furtherly expanded in the next centenary. Currently it is the seat of a local Social Care Centre with a historic park surrounding it.
7. Tunel railway station – under the "Biała Góra" hill, in 1882–85 a double-outlet, longest railway tunnel in Poland with a length of 810 m was dug through.
8. Church in Siedliska – erected by the Brotherhood of the Holy Sepulchre at the turn of 15th and 16th century especially for Good Friday processions.
 

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Route 4: Kosciuszko's Trail

Słomniki, Łętkowice (7,5 km) Dodów (11,5 km) Przemęczany (15 km) Wrocimowice (19 km) Janowiczki (21 km) Racławice (22,5 km) Nasiechowice (32,5 km) Muniakowice (37 km) Prandocin (42 km) Słomniki (43,7 km) 

43,7 km, 5h, difficulty – medium

Altitude profile of the route:

Fairly easy route, mostly among cultivated fields, with a few not too difficult climbs. If the route seems too long, we can choose the shorter option. The trip begins in Słomniki on the market square, next to the neo-Gothic church. We cross the national road No 7 and we take Poniatowskiego Street to reach the cemetery. We go through Wierzbice to Łętkowice. After 500 m, we turn left to Dodów and take a road along the fields which is alternately ascending and descending. We turn right by the roadside cross (if we would like to shorten our route, we go straight ahead, then turn left in Zielenice). We "climb" to the upper area and start the long descent to Przemęczany. At the intersection near the manor we turn left and we reach Janowiczki through Wrocimowice. It is worth visiting the local manor and the Racławice historic complex with the magnificent monument of Bartosz Głowacki. We go further north and in the centre of Racławice we pass by the church. At the intersection, we take road No 783, turn left and after 300 m turn left again towards Marchocice. We cross the intersection, turn left at the bifurcation and reach the forest. We take the first path to the right, overcome a short steep climb and turn right at the bifurcation. After a while, we turn right again and go down through the cut forest to the gravel road by the "Sterczów-Ścianka" Forest Reserve. We go along the gravel road, turn left behind the barrier and reach the first buildings of Nasiechowice. Having turned left (beautiful panorama), we go down to the intersection in Nasiechowice, where we turn right. After 600 m we turn left, enter the forest and after a climb we reach Muniakowice. Here, at the intersection, we turn right, pass a forester's lodge and a chapel, turn left and descend to Prandocin, where we can admire the biggest attraction on this route – the Roman church from 1126. We pass the arm to the right and follow the asphalt road, going to the left. We take the first turning to the right, which leads us to Poniatowskiego Street. Returning by the same road on which the route has started, we end the trip on the market square in Słomniki.

ATTRACTIONS ON THE ROUTE:
1. Church in Słomniki – neo-Gothic, erected at the market square in 1888-93. The 16th century Gothic monuments: crucifix in the main altar and the picture of the Holy Family come from previous wooden temples.
2. Manor in Janowiczki – built in the Classicistic style in the 19th century. Houses permanent exhibition "Uprising 1794".
3. Kościuszko Mound in Racławice – erected on the nearby Zamczysko hill to commemorate the victorious battle with the Russians of 4 April 4 1794 won by insurgents of the Kościuszko Uprising. Thanks to this victory, Poles have gained faith in the successful outcome of the war. Near the mound there is a magnificent monument to the hero of the battle of Racławice – Bartosz Głowacki.
4. Five Limes at the top of Zamczysko in Racławice – planted in honour of five generals fighting in the Kosciuszko Uprising: Kościuszko, Madaliński, Małachowski, Zajączka and Wodzicki.
5. The church in Racławice – built in 1778 in the late Baroque style. Inside there is a statue of St Stephen and the picture of "Holy conversation", both from the 16th century. According to legend, Tadeusz Kościuszko prayed in the church just before the battle. Next to it there is a wooden belfry from the 18th century.
6. The "Sterczów–Ścianka" Nature Reserve – a floristic reserve located on a steep slope. Among the vegetation there are patches of steppe grasslands, including Lady’s Slipper being under strict species protection. Special area of habitat protection under the European Nature 2000 network.
7. Church in Prandocin – one of the greatest pieces of Romanesque architecture in Poland. Funded by the Cistercians in 1126, it has a defensive character, which can be evidenced by: shooting holes in the walls of the tower, small window openings placed high and dungeons serving as a place of refuge during the siege. The interior decoration comes for further periods, including Baroque and rococo.
 

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Route 8: Dłubnia Valley

Michałowice, Więcławice (4 km) Sieborowice (6 km) Luborzyca (12,5 km) Goszyce (17,5 km) Niedźwiedź (26,5 km) Iwanowice (37,5 km) Michałowice (45,8 km) 

45,8 km, 4,5 h, difficulty – easy

Altitude profile of the route:

The trip allows to visit the charming and little-known Dłubnia Valley. It passes through agricultural areas, and the variety of monuments passed is a testimony to the rich history of these areas. The route begins in Michałowice by the church. We set off along the road between the ponds towards Masłomiąca and then to Więcławice, where it is worth visiting the wooden church. Cycling through Sierbowice, we pass the Zakrzeński Palace and descend to Łuczyce (remains of a historic park). Here we can choose a shorter option through Goszcza and Polanowice. Going further along the valley we reach Luborzyca, where it is worth visiting a Gothic church. Straight after the church we get onto the red bike trail, which will take us to Goszyce (with a larch manor from the 17th century). Having passed by the firehouse, we leave the trail, turn left to Wilków, where we turn right behind the wooden chapel. Admiring the panorama of the area, we reach Niedźwiedź. Before the firehouse we turn right and cycle along a narrow asphalt road to reach the Wodzicki Palace. We take a sharp turn left, pass the brick church and return to the road that led us here from Niedźwiedź. We turn right, then left at the intersection, and 1.3 km further we turn right again. We pass a railway crossing, then a military unit and we reach the national road No 7 cycling on concrete slabs. We cross it and descend through the town of Poskwitów to the Dłubnia Valley. When the road gets flat and curves to the left, we turn right and cycle along the river. In Iwanowice, it is worth visiting the historic wooden church, located in the centre of the village, slightly to the right of our route. We follow the blue bike trail south along the Dłubnia River, passing rock exposures and a stronghold. In Zerwana, we cross the national road and follow the bike trail to reach the Old Pharmacy and other buildings. We follow a dirt road near the pitch and then a gravel road to finally reach an asphalt road, turn right and return to the centre of Michałowice.

ATTRACTIONS ON THE ROUTE:

1. Wooden church in Więcławice – erected in 1757 from larch tree, log structure, boarded, single-nave. Baroque interior design.
2. Zakrzeński Palace in Sieborowice – built in 1882 in an eclectic style (currently a children's home).
3. Church in Luborzyca – Gothic, made of brick, it has been preserved without significant changes until today. Inside there is a crucifix dating about 1433, stone wall tabernacle from the same period, as well as a Romanesque bronze handle from the turn of the 12th and 13th century in the porch.
4. Manor in Goszyce – wooden manor from the second half of the 17th century, thoroughly rebuilt in the 18th century. The building is distinguished by a characteristic mansard roof covered with shingles. Currently in private hands.
5. Sts Odile and Lucia Chapel in Wilków from the 17th century, log structure, oriented. Decor from the 16th and 17th century.
6. Palace in Niedźwiedź – built in 1808 in the classicistic style. A brick, multi-story, basement with a round risalit from the side of the garden and a four-column portico from the front. The palace is surrounded by a garden with unique vegetation from around the world.
7. Church in Niedźwiedź – built in the years 1486-93 of brick and stone in the Gothic style. The portal, pointed windows and buttresses from this period have been preserved until now. Inside there is a Gothic sculpture of Madonna and Child from around 1420, one of four of this type in Europe.
8. Wooden church in Iwanowice – erected in 1745. Interior design in the mannerist and Baroque style. In the side altar, a picture of Our Lady of the Snows from the 17th century.
 

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Route 16: To the Bronaczowa Forest

Skawina, Chorowice (5 km) Mogilany (7,5 km) Rez. Kozie Kąty (12,5 km) Wola Radziszowska (22,5 km) Radziszów (27,5 km) Skawina (31 km) 

31 km, 3 h, difficulty – easy

Altitude profile of the route:

Easy route, with just a few climbs, leading by roads with good surface. The trip begins at the market square in Skawina, from which we go east along Słowackiego Street. We pass the church, then the intersection with Popiełuszki Street and go straight ahead along Korabnicka Street. After 300 m we turn into Kopernika Street, then Wyspiańskiego Street, which brings us to Chorowice. In Chorowice, we pass a chapel on the left, and a little further the remains of the manor complex. At the intersection with the Mogilany-Skawina road, a beautiful panorama appears on the Carpathian Foothills range and the Beskids. We turn left and soon we reach the centre of Mogilany. We pass the church, turn right on the little market square to see the Konopka family manor complex. We return to the centre, from where the green bike trail, running along Mogilańska Street, leaves the village. In a place of a clear step we turn left with a sharp curve and follow the gravel road down the south. After a short climb, we turn right on the ridge and enter the forest. At the bifurcation with a roadside cross we follow the trails turning to left, and a little further at the intersection – to the right. On the curve of the road we pass a shed and cycle along the red trail that leads to the right to the Kozie Kąty Reserve. Still following the green trails, we reach the buildings of Podlesie. We turn left by the shop (by going right, we can shorten the route), pass the Children's Rehabilitation Hospital, and turn right at the intersection, to follow the red bike trail, then we turn left 1 km further. We are now heading Ostra Góra from which we shall descend to Wola Radziszowska. We turn left, pass a stream and take a winding road to the intersection. We turn right to see the centre of Wola Radziszowska and a wooden church. Following to the amber bike trail, we cross the railway track twice and along the buildings of Radziszów (in the centre, there is a historic church and the renovated manor house) we cycle towards Skawina.

ATTRACTIONS ON THE ROUTE:

1. The parish church in Skawina was built in the time of King Casimir the Great, but frequent fires caused the temple to lose its original form. Its current shape dates back to the reconstruction in 1826. In the presbytery, there are two valuable, unusual 19th-century paintings: "Waking up of the shepherds" and "Catching a fish with golden gills".
2. The building of the "Sokół" Gymnastic Society in Skawina – dating back to 1906, standing on the site of a fortified castle built by King Casimir the Great.
3. Town hall in Skawina from the beginning of the 20th century. Currently, the City and Commune Office.
4. The filial church in Skawina probably comes from the 17th and 18th century, it served as a temple at the hospital-shelter founded by the Benedictines from Tyniec.
5. Manor complex in Chorowice – a building consisting of a manor house, a neo-Gothic chapel from the beginning of the 20th century, quarters for the laborers, a stable and a park. The manor was built in 1905, then rebuilt after 1945 and in 1985. It belonged to the Raczyński, Deras, and Doboszyński families. Currently it houses a school. The chapel dates from 1915.
6. The church in Mogilany – dates from 1604. Slightly expanded in the 19th and 20th century, and in the first half of the 19th century surrounded by a wall with a belfry. Temple equipment is mainly Baroque.
7. Manor in Mogilany – built at the end of the 18th century on the site of a former palace. It was here, that Mikołaj Rej, hosted in 1567, wrote his poem "Mirror" and the third book of "Life of a good man".
8. Bronaczowa Forest and the Kozie Kąty Reserve – a forest complex covering a dense beech and fir stand with an elongated hill cut through by picturesque valleys. Part of the forest is occupied by the Kozie Kąty Forest Nature Reserve.
9. Wooden church in Wola Radziszowska – built at the end of the 15th century. Inside, it is worth paying attention to the Gothic ogival portals and the decor from the 17th-19th century.
10. The church in Radziszów – erected in the 15th century, rebuilt after the fire in 1841. Baroque equipment has been partially preserved.
 

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Route 17: Around the "leisure zone"

Myślenice, Kudłacze (10 km) Pcim (17 km) Trzebunia (32 km) Myślenice (44,5 km)

44,5 km, 5,5 h, difficulty – hard

Altitude profile of the route:

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This is a difficult mountain trip, with an elevation of 1350 meters, so good mountain bike will be a must. We start the expedition in Myślenice-Zarabie. At the main intersection next to the car park near the stadium, we head towards Zacisze Street, following the red bike trail. On the right, we pass the Zamczysko nad Rabą Reserve with ruins of the watchtower, and we begin the "climb" to the Lubomir and Łysina Range. At the crossroad we go left, at the next – right, still steeply uphill. On the ridge we meet a red hiking trail, which will lead us up to the hostel at Kudłacze. We take the black trail down to the hamlet of Małe Ulmany. Here, before the sharp turn, we turn slightly right into a forest road. We descend to the centre of Pcim (there is a shortcut on the right leading along the Raba River). Having passed the church, we start the climb through the Kaczanka Valley. At the junction, we turn right (signpost for Figuły). The asphalt ends after the curve and the further path leads to the border of the forest and the yellow trail. We turn left and follow the trail on the mountain path along the ridge of the Kotoń Massif. This is quite a difficult part of the route, but rewarded with numerous viewpoints offering beautiful panoramas. From Groń (773 m a.s.l.), we take a gentle descent to the Dział Pass (a large chapel), then we cycle a steep gravel road to Trzebunia. Passing by the church, we continue down the village to the school building (at the bus stop), where we turn left and then right after the bridge. We go along the asphalt road and then the road from concrete slabs to the Rola Ostafinowa settlement (from the valley with the streams bifurcation left up the hill). We turn left between the houses and after about 100 m, passing by the last buildings, we turn right into a road leading steeply uphill along the forest border. We go on foot (very steeply) up to the flat area and then cycle straight ahead until the intersection with the red trail. We turn right and go along the trail to Myślenice, passing a historic chapel on Plebańska Góra. We descend steep downhill to Myślenice. In the centre of the town we go right on Słowackiego Street, then Piłsudskiego Street. We cross the Zakopane-Kraków road and get onto the bridge over Raba to return to the parking lot.

ATTRACTIONS ON THE ROUTE:

1. Zarabie – the recreational district of Myślenice, located on the right bank of the Raba River, at the foot of Uklejna. It offers a riverside bathing place and beach by the Raba River, as well as sport fields, hiking and biking trails, and the biggest attraction – the chairlift to the nearby Chełm Mountain.
2. Zamczysko nad Rabą Reserve – created in 1962, covering the area of 1.35 ha, located near the ruins of a medieval watchtower. The local oak-hornbeam and a sub-Tatric forest pine patch is under protection. Among the protected plants, ivy is particularly noteworthy.
3. Ruins of a watchtower in Myślenice – dating from the 13th century, situated on the slopes of Uklejna. This facility served as a watchtower on an intensively frequented trade route. In 1457 it was blown up with a charge of powder.
4. The church in Pcim – built in 1829 in the in the so-called Emperor Joseph II style. The most valuable monument of the temple is the 17th century baptismal font and three Baroque paintings transferred from St Agnes church in Kraków.
5. The church in Trzebunia – a stone temple from 1799, hides beautiful Baroque furnishings inside.
6. The Virgin Mary church in Myślenice – built in 1465, later rebuilt many times. Inside, it is worth paying attention to the stone portal at the entrance from the presbytery to the sacristy. In the side chapel, a wonderful painting of the Mother of God from Myślenice from the beginning of the 17th century.
7. Cemetery church in the Stradom district of Myślenice – erected in the 15th century, preserved Gothic buttresses, arches and traceries.
8. "Greek House" in Myślenice – a former inn from the 18th century. The building has a beautiful mansard roof with dormer windows, and in the basements a rare sail vault on the buttresses. Currently, it houses the Regional Museum with 4 permanent exhibitions: bourgeois interiors exhibition, as well as ethnographic, World War I and archaeological ones.
 

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Route 18: In the shadow of Niepołomice Forest

Niepołomice, Puszcza Niepołomicka (2 km) Kłaj (15 km) Targowisko (17 km) Grodkowice (20 km) Brzezie (23 km) Staniątki (29 km) Niepołomice (34 km) 

34 km, 3,5 h, difficulty – easy

Altitude profile of the route:

Easy and pleasant route along the roads and paths of the Niepołomice Forest combined with visiting several interesting places in the immediate area.
The trip begins in the car park at the market square in Niepołomice. Earlier, it is worth visiting the Royal Castle next to the market square and the historic church from the 14th century, which stands on the other side. Starting at the roundabout, we head towards Bocheńska Street following the green tourist trail, then further, along the bike path along the national road, we get to the parking lot with the node of trails. We then carefully go through a pedestrian crossing and enter the Niepołomice Forest. We stay on the green trail and cycle over 6 km along the Royal Road. We turn right next to the small car park in Przyborów. We "conquer" the highest peak of the forest – Kobyla G. (212 m a.s.l.) and – leaving the green trail, which turns left – we take the road straight ahead to leave the Niepołomice Forest. The next kilometres of the route, becoming slightly mountainous, lead along open roads through small towns near Kraków (Kłaj, Targowisko, Grodkowice, Brzezie, Staniątki). In Grodkowice we will find the former Żeleński Palace, and in Brzezie a magnificent church from the beginning of the 20th century. In Staniątki we can visit the Marian sanctuary towering over the village and the Benedictine monastery. From the main road we turn into Polna Street, we cross the tracks and return to the road to Niepołomice. 800 m further we follow the blue bike trail and turn right to enter the Niepołomice Forest again. At the forest rest area and the node of bike trails we turn left, and enter the forest path to Niepołomice. Partyzantów Street will lead us back to the centre of the town.

ATTRACTIONS ON THE ROUTE:

1. The castle in Niepołomice – erected on the edge of the forest in the 14th century on the initiative of King Casimir the Great. Initially it was a small castle, which was expanded in the next two centuries to form a Renaissance residence and served the royal manor as a hunting castle and a place of reunions. Currently, the castle houses the collections of the 19th Century Polish Art Gallery of the National Museum in Kraków, which were transferred here from their previous place of exhibition, the Sukiennice (Cloth Hall) in Kraków.
2. Church in Niepołomice – built in the years 1350–58. The presbytery and the adjacent chapel with preserved Gothic architectural detail and unique frescoes from the 14th century come from this period. Noteworthy are also the two chapels: one Mannerist from 1596 (the work of Santi Gucci) and the other early Baroque, with a wonderful painting of St Charles Borromeo.
3. Niepołomice Forest – a vast forest area, located at the bifurcation of Vistula and Raba Rivers. Eagerly visited by the inhabitants of Kraków, looking for fresh air and peace. The forest was a favourite place of royal hunting in old Poland. The main part of the Forest is made up of pine forests, while the smaller, northern complex along the Vistula, is dominated with deciduous forests. The Niepołomicka Forest is part of the European Ecological Network Nature 2000.
4. The Żeleński Palace in Grodkowice – erected in 1900–1906 according to the design of Teodor Talowski. Like most of the artist's works, it has a specific architecture – referring to the Gothic and Romantic style. The property is surrounded by a historic landscape park. Currently, the palace houses a training and hotel complex, open also for cultural and artistic activities.
5. Church in Brzezie – built in 1924 with a characteristic palm vault. A classicistic mausoleum of the Żeleński family was erected next to the church in 1903.
6. The monastery complex of the Benedictine Nuns Abbey in Staniątki – founded in 1238 thanks to the foundation of Klemens Griffin. The church being part of the complex is the oldest hall church in Poland, and its shape has remained almost unchanged to modern times. It is worth paying attention to the 14th-century sculpture of Madonna in the throne. Information: www.benedyktynki.com.pl
 

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Route 19: Salt deposits under your wheels

Wieliczka, Biskupice (7 km) Hucisko (14,5 km) Raciborsko (22 km) Pawlikowice (25 km) Wieliczka (29 km) 

29 km, 4h, difficulty – medium

Altitude profile of the route:

We invite you to a trip that begins in Wieliczka, a city related to salt mining for centuries. The entire route leads through the commune bike trail, with a small branch for those interested in extending their trip. Before leaving on the route, we must visit the salt mine and related monuments, and the Saltworks Castle. We start the trip from the Wieliczka-Rynek train stop. We go to the Upper Market Square by Zamkowa Street next to the church of St Clement. It is here that begins the red bike trail, which will guide us for over 10 km. We leave the Market Square by Batorego Street and continue along of Saint Sebastian Street, passing by a wooden church. We cross road No 964 and soon leave Wieliczka. Looking for trail markings, we go through Lednica Górna, Tomaszkowice to Biskupice, where we pass a neo-Gothic church from the 20th century. Leaving Biskupice, we take a dirt path to shorten the route through the forest and steeply descend the road to Dobranowice. Here we can choose a shortcut option by going right or go left along the proposed route. We descend almost 3 km through the valley of the Sułówka stream to Hucisko. Just before the road on the left, we turn right into a narrow asphalt road. After 500 m, we pass the T. Kantor's house and the "Chair" monument. After reaching the ridge, we turn right and cycle along a 3.5 km scenic road to the intersection at the chapel in Dobranowice. We turn left here, again onto the red bike trail. A few dozen meters after the curve of the road, following the trail, we turn right, and initially by asphalt road and then by the dirt road, we get to Koźmice Małe. We cross road No 964 twice and go up the hill to the church in Pawlikowice. A little further we go down again to the provincial road, then we turn left on the side street. Until the end of the trip in Wieliczka, we stick to the red bike trail, passing the manor in Siercza on the way.

ATTRACTIONS ON THE ROUTE:

1. Wieliczka Salt Mine – the oldest salt company in Poland, which dates back to the Middle Ages. The mine, inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List, consists of a network of shafts and adits with a length of about 300 km, located on 9 levels. In the part open to the public, covering a 3.5-kilometer section at a depth of 64 to 135 m, we can admire the lakes, original mining equipment and devices, as well as the unique Chapel of St Kinga, which can accommodate over 500 people. The place also houses a therapeutic and rehabilitation centre. Information: www.kopalnia.pl.
2. Monuments of mining construction in Wieliczka – include primarily the old shafts: Górsko (17th century), Saint Kinga (19th century), Daniłowicz (17th century) and Regis (14th century).
3. Saltworks Castle in Wieliczka – built at the turn of the 13th and 14th century, rebuilt after the destruction occurred during the World War II. Former headquarters of the mine superintendents and managers. Currently, the Kraków Saltworks Museum.
4. St Clement church in Wieliczka – erected in the 19th century. Interior equipment from the 13th and 14th century. Next to the church, there is a belfry founded by King Jan III Sobieski after the victory over the Turks. Information: www.klemens.pl.
5. Wooden church of St Sebastian in Wieliczka – built in 1582. Inside, valuable paintings from the 16th century, Young Poland polychromy – work of Wł. Tetmajer from 1906 and stained-glass windows designed by Stanisław Matejko.
6. The church in Biskupice – erected in 1914 in place of the previous temples from the 11th and 17th century. A stone portal from the oldest church has been preserved.
7. Kantor's chair in Hucisko – concrete chair, 14 m high is a monument honouring Tadeusz Kantor (1915-1995), the world-famous creator of the Cricot 2 theatre, director, stage designer and painter. Next, there is an original villa, the artist's former home. 
8. Manor in Siercza – dating back the 19th century, surrounded by a historic park. Currently, the Monastery of Ursuline Sisters.
 

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Route 20: In the Raba Valley

Gdów, Liplas (4 km) Niegowić (7 km) Pierzchów (11 km) Chrostowa (17 km) Podolany (27 km) Stryszowa (31 km) Gdów (35 km) 

35 km, 4h, difficulty – easy

Altitude profile of the route:

The route is mostly flat, with two slightly more difficult climbs. Perfect for a family trip. We set off from the centre of Gdów along the main road towards Bochnia. Having passed the school, we turn left into Cegielniana Street. We meet here the black bike trail, which we will lead us to Niegowić. We cross the bypass, pass the cemetery with the November Uprising mound, and having passed the fish ponds we leave the asphalt road, turning right between the homesteads. Cycling on a dirt road, first to the east then to the north, we arrive at Liplas. Here we turn right and at the next intersection left – towards Niegowić. We pass the manor and, after a while, we reach the church where John Paul II began his priestly service, which is commemorated by a monument. We turn right, then left behind the school. One kilometre further, on the curve, we leave the road cycling straight ahead. After 300 m we change the trail to red one and at the bifurcation we choose the road going right. After the power line we turn right again, and after a while, on the asphalt road, we turn left. We then cross the road No 967 and cycle through Pierzchów. At the end of the village, there is a monument and mound of H. Dąbrowski. We turn right and follow the paths along the Raba River to reach the asphalt road where we leave the red trail. We pass Raba and, after the bridge, we continue along the blue bike trail (turning right after the bridge, we can shorten the route). We pass the manor house in Chrostowa, turn right onto asphalt path and "climb" to the hamlet of Wierzchownia, from where we have a beautiful view of the Beskid Wyspowy. Sticking to the blue trail, we go first by the ridge along the forest, then down the gravel road through the forest. On the asphalt road curve, we choose the left arm and go down to Podolany. From here, following the yellow trail and after a long climb to Stryszowa, we go to the lookout point offering a beautiful panorama of the Raba Valley and a magnificent cross. We return to Gdów along the green bike trail.

ATTRACTIONS ON THE ROUTE:

1. Church in Gdów – erected at the turn of the 13th and 14th century. As a result of the subsequent transformations since the end of the 18th century, it lost its stylish features. It has rococo interior design of considerable artistic value. In the main altar, there is a painting of Our Lady of Gdów painted in the first half of the 18th century, endowed with unflagging worship by the inhabitants of the villages and surrounding areas.
2. Mound of insurgents in Gdów – a mass grave of 154 Poles fallen on 26 February 1846 in a clash with Austrian troops during the Kraków Uprising. At the top of the mound there is an allegorical monument erected in 1906.
3. Church in Niegowić – consecrated in 1966 by the Metropolitan Archbishop of Kraków, Karol Wojtyła. In the main altar, we can admire a Baroque painting of the Assumed Virgin Mary famous for its favours. Wooden belfry from 1817 is a souvenir of the previous temple.
4. Monument to Karol Wojtyła in Niegowić – inaugurated on 4 November 1999. It presents the figure of the later Pope John Paul II, who in this town performed his first priesthood ministry, begun in 1948. Although he worked for only a year, he managed to initiate the construction of the present church.
5. General Dąbrowski Mound in Pierzchów – raised in honour of general Jan Henryk Dąbrowski, creator of the Polish legions in Italy, the hero of the Polish national anthem who was born and spent his childhood in Pierzchów.
 

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Route 22: Following the battles of World War I

Żegocina, Laskowa (15 km) Łososina Górna (21 km) Kamionna (37 km) Trzciana (44 km) Łąkta Górna (47,5 km) Rajbrot (54 km) Żegocina (58,4 km) 

58,4 km, 7 h, difficulty – medium

Altitude profile of the route:

We invite you to a trip during which we will visit several cemeteries from the World War I. The south-east areas of the Małopolska region were the place of many heavy fighting, of which cemeteries are a sad reminder. We start from the centre of Żegociny, driving south by road No 965. In Rozdziel we turn left, then after 1800 m, having passed the church, again left and then finally right. We cycle up 1100 m and turn right onto the blue bike trail. We go straight to the chapel and cemetery No 357. We return to the route and go down to the asphalt road, we turn right and, passing by the church in Kamionka Mała, we reach the main road. We turn right, cross Laskowa (manor) and turn left onto the main road. We enter Łososina Górna, pass the church and turn right to Pasierbiec. We pass the church and then, 500 m further, we turn left next to the community room. We take the scenic road, form where, in good weather, we can see the Tatras. We turn right at the intersection with the main road. In Nowe Rybie we pass by the church and in front of the school we turn right to Kamionna, where we turn right (to Żegocina) heading at a wooden church. We turn back and go right at the intersection. After 3 km, having crossed the bridge, we turn left and on the main road we also go left following the black bike trail that leads to the chapel and the spring. We return along the trail to the intersection and turn left to Trzciana. We turn right, pass the church and head towards Łąkta Górna. There are several war cemeteries on the hills on the left. We turn right on the main road and having passed the church, we turn left. At the end of the asphalt road we turn left onto the dirt road, which takes us to the asphalt road, where we turn right to Rajbrot (700 m to the left, there is another cemetery). After the church we turn right and, after 5 km, we turn left to Żegociny, where we finish the trip.

ATTRACTIONS ON THE ROUTE:

1. Wooden church in Rozdziele – with a log structure, built in Królówka near Nowy Wiśnicz at the end of the 15th century.
2. World War I cemeteries – numerous military cemeteries remind us of the bloody battles fought in Western Galicia at the turn of 1914 and 1915 between the Russian army and the Imperial Royal Austrian army. Often located in the place of battle, they are the burial place of soldiers of many nationalities: Poles, Austrians, Germans, Russians, Hungarians and others. Some of them are of outstanding artistic value, e.g. cemetery No 357 with a wooden chapel.
3. Wooden church in Kamionka Mała – built in the end of the 18th century. Interior from the 18th-19th century. In the main altar, the Baroque sculpture of St Catherine of Alexandria – patron of the church.
4. Manor in Laskowa – built in 1677, with a log structure, mansard roof made of shingles. Originally the seat of the noble Laskowski family, then a monastery, it has regained its lay character in the 18th century.
5. Wooden church in Łososina Górna – during construction in 1778 fragments of the previous, late-Gothic temple were used. Polychromy from the 19th century. Mainly rococo interior from the 18th century. Gothic stone font from the 15th century.
6. Church in Kamionna – a small three-nave wooden temple from 1934 with a skeleton structure. Its shape refers to old religious architecture.
7. Chapel and spring in Ujazd – according to legend, the spring spurted out thanks to Saint Princess Kinga, who was once passing on a hot day along the nearby Hungarian route. A stone chapel next to the spring.
8. The church in Trzciana – comes from before 1556, owes its eclectic style to subsequent extensions. Baroque altars, a stone baptismal font from 1497 and a Renaissance sacristy portal from the 16th century have been preserved.
9. Wooden church in Rajbrot from 1511. Single nave, log structure, covered with shingles. Inside, an early Baroque altar from the 17th century, late Gothic carpentry details and a wooden Gothic pulpit. Next to it there is a belfry with a pole structure from the end of the 18th century.

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Route 23: In the shade of Lipnica palms

Bochnia, Kopaliny (4,5 km) Nowy Wiśnicz (8 km) Borówna (15 km) Lipnica Murowana (20 km) Pogwizdów (36 km) Bochnia (45 km) 

45 km, 5 h, difficulty – medium

Altitude profile of the route:

We offer a trip rich in monuments and beautiful panoramas starting in Bochnia, where it is worth visiting the salt mine and the basilica. We leave the market square by Sądecka Street following the blue tourist trail. We pass the Bochnia bypass, and after a short descent in Kurów, we arrive at the Cat's Castle villa. Here we turn right, Bujaka Street leaving the trail. On road No 965, we go left, and after a moment spent in Kopaliny, we turn left again next to the hotel to leave from the provincial road onto the blue trail that leads us to the castle in Nowy Wiśnicz. The centre also offers several valuable monuments that are worth visiting, including the 19th-century manor "Koryznówka" and the church from the 17th century. We follow the trail through the market square, and then follow the road to Lipnica, leaving Nowy Wiśnicz (whoever would like to shorten the route, should go west through Olchawa). From Borówna we go to Lipnica Murowana, a town famous for the Easter palm competition and the wooden church of St Leonard. In addition, worth seeing is the church of St Andrew the Apostle, the church of St Szymon of Lipnica and the 19th-century Leduchowski Manor. Having crossed the market square, we go right to Lipnica Górna. We approach road No 965, turn right and after 1700 m turn left. We go down until the end of the road, turn right over the bridge and cycle through Olchawa to the centre of Zawada. Here we turn right towards Pogwizdów and after 800 m we can see a wooden church from the 15th century. At the bifurcation in Pogwizdów, we follow the asphalt path to the left along the red bike trail. After 2 km and passing a small peak, we turn right into a forest gravel road. We go straight along the blue trail until leaving the forest. We cross the Bochnia bypass cycling along Brodzińskiego Street and then we follow Krakowska Street to return to the market square, where the route ends.

ATTRACTIONS ON THE ROUTE:

1. Bochnia Salt Mine – founded around 1248. Former royal property. In 1995 it was opened to the public and a health resort was created there. More information: www.kopalniasoli.pl
2. St Nicolas Basilica in Bochnia – built in 1440. It was given its current, neo-Gothic, style in 1905.
3. The Kmita and Lubomirski family castle in Nowy Wiśnicz – one of the most valuable works of early Baroque residential and defensive architecture in Poland.
4. "Koryznówka" Manor in Nowy Wiśnicz – wooden, built in the 19th century, a place willingly visited by the famous painter Jan Matejko. Currently, the museum presenting memorabilia that remained after the artist.
5. The church in Nowy Wiśnicz – a magnificent temple with early Baroque architecture from the 17th century, currently under renovation.
6. The Easter palm competition in Lipnica Murowana – takes place every Palm Sunday from 1958. As part of this event, known throughout Poland, the most beautiful and longest Easter palms made by the inhabitants of Lipnica and the surrounding area are awarded. Many palms reach a height of over 20 m. The competition is accompanied by numerous shows and performances by regional groups.
7. St Leonard church in Lipnica Murowana – one of the oldest and best preserved Gothic wooden temples in Poland. It comes from 1500–1502. Inside there are valuable polychromies, a triptych from 1500 and the "Światowid pole". The object is inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List.
8. St Andrew the Apostle church in Lipnica Murowana – dating from 1363 with a well-preserved Gothic structure. Inside the sculpture of the Mother of God with a child from about 1370.
9. St Szymon of Lipnica church – built in 1648 in the late Baroque style, in the place of the family home of the temple's patron. It is worth paying attention to the reliquary in the shape of a neo-Gothic monstrance with the relics of St Szymon of Lipnica.
10. The Ledóchowski Manor in Lipnica Murowana – inhabited in the 1880s by the Ledóchowski sisters: blessed Maria Teresa and Urszula – later a saint.
11. The wooden church in Pogwizdów – from the late 15th century is one of the oldest temples in the Małopolska Region. In the years 1896–1913 it was rebuilt – the tower was demolished and the nave was extended. Baroque altars come from the 17th century
 

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Route 26: In the search of roadside chapels

Radłów, Borzęcin (12 km) Dołęga (20 km) Wał-Ruda (25,5 km) Zabawa (29,5 km) Radłów (34,4 km) 

34,4 km, 3 h, difficulty – easy

Altitude profile of the route:

The route is very easy, completely flat – ideal for a recreational trip. It leads among fields, forests and rural buildings. From the centre of Radłów, where we can visit the classicistic palace and the Gothic church, we set off on the road to Brzesko. After 2 km, in the village of Brzeźnica, we meet a blue bike trail, which will lead us to Borzęcin. Already in the forest, behind the roadside cross, we turn right onto a gravel road, and then left. We ride 2 km through the forest, then among fields and dispersed buildings. In Borzęcin we can see a historic church from the 17th century. We turn right changing the blue bike trail into green one and the Amber Trail. We ride along Uszwica, passing many roadside, historic chapels and old wooden farmsteads along the way. In Rylowa, we cross provincial road No 964 and head at Dołęga, where we can visit the classicistic manor from 1845. Staying on the trails, we return a bit, and turn left diagonally. We cycle along the buildings of Dołęga, and then through the forest, on a gravel road, heading east. At the edge of the forest, we turn right, pass a monument dedicated to the "Third Bridge" action, and 400 m further – the house of the blessed Karolina Kózka. We continue straight along the buildings of the village of Wał-Ruda. At the intersection with road No 964 we turn left and 2 km further, in Zabawa, we pass the Sanctuary of Bł. Karolina Kózka. We continue along the same road, until reaching a clear left turn, next to the border bishop pole from 1450. Here, we turn right onto the green bike trail, which will lead us back to Radłów.

ATTRACTIONS ON THE ROUTE:

1. Palace in Radłów – built in the classicistic style in 1844. In 1915, it was renovated after the damage it suffered at the beginning of the World War I. Surrounded by a large romantic park.
2. Church in Radłów – Gothic temple with Baroque and neo-Gothic elements. It was built in the 14th century, expanded in the 17th century and in the years 1918-26. The Neo-Gothic interior equipment comes from the 1920s.
3. The church in Borzęcin – eclectic, built in 1854. In the years 1912-22, the temple was thoroughly expanded.
4. Roadside shrines, statues and crosses in the vicinity of Borzęcin – perfectly inscribed in the landscape of the Powiśle Region, enchant with their extraordinary care. Most of them were built in the second half of the 19th century by Jan Adeodat Martyński – a renowned stonemason from Borzęcin.
5. Wooden manor in Dołęga – an example of a Polish noble country house from the 19th century. Built in 1845, it retained its original form with just some minor changes. During the January Uprising it was a shelter for Poles who took part in it.
6. Operation "Bridge III" – at the night from 25 to 26 of July 1944, an Allied plane landed and took off near the village of Wał-Ruda. It took from Poland to England parts of the German V-2 rocket acquired by Polish intelligence.
7. House of Bł. Karolina Kózka – reconstruction of the house in which Bł. K. Kózka spent her life. She died at the age of 16 at the hands of a Russian soldier. In the house we can see souvenirs of Bł. Karolina.
8. The Sanctuary in Zabawa – a stone church from the 1920s. Place associated with the cult of Bł. Karolina Kózka, was martyred at the age of 14 during World War I.
 

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Route 27: From the source of St. Stanisław to the grotto of Lourdes

Brzesko, Szczepanów (6 km) Sterkowiec (9 km) Dębno (15 km) Porąbka Uszewska (23 km) Okocim (30 km) Brzesko (32 km) 

32 km, 4 h, difficulty – medium

Altitude profile of the route:

The first half of the route is flat and very easy, in the second part there are some tiresome climbs and a technically demanding descent. This effort will be compensated by beautiful views and interesting monuments. We leave the market square in Brzesko by Sobieskiego Street, passing into Czarnowiejska Street. After 900 m, next to the Jewish cemetery, we turn right diagonally, at the roundabout we cross Solskiego Street and cycle straight east along Szczepanowska Street. We pass a horse stud, railway tracks, A4 highway and finally reach Szczepanów. We can see the historic buildings of the market square, a classicistic church, a chapel, the spring of St Stanislaus and the Sanctuary of St Stanislaus. We leave the village along the road to Dębno. We cross the highway again, in Sterkowiec we cross the tracks, in Maszkienice at the chapel we turn left and pass the church. In Dębno, we cross national road No 94 and head south. We pass the castle, and a little further the late Gothic church, after which we turn left on the blue tourist trail and climb the scenic ridge. We cycle up a dirt path, and then, from the chapel an asphalt one, up to Kamionka. At the junction, we leave the trail, turning right. The main road will lead us right again, and on its curve, we shall go straight ahead, following the yellow bike trail, then, by a steep descent, we approach Porąbka Uszewska. In the centre of the village – the sanctuary and the grotto of the Virgin Mary of Lourdes. At the intersection, we turn left and then right to reach the ridge of Bocheniec with a long climb. At the peak we turn left into św. Anny Street, we pass the chapel and visible traces of the 9th-10th century stronghold. We continue to Brzesko along the red trail. First, we encounter a steep downhill path (it is better to get off the bike!), and then we climb by the asphalt road. We turn right, then left and reach Okocim Górny. We pass the old school building from 1895, the neo-Gothic church from 1891 and descend to Okocim. On the left we have the Goetz-Okocimski family Palace and Park Complex, and a little further on the right – the "Okocim" brewery. We enter the national road No 75, pass the roundabout going straight and return to the market square.

ATTRACTIONS ON THE ROUTE:

1. The urban layout of the Old Town in Brzesko – consisting of the market square, adjacent streets and a complex of tenement houses from the turn of the 19th and 20th century with Art Nouveau ornaments.
2. The church in Brzesko – built in the 15th century. It is maintained in the Gothic style, with neo-Gothic elements from the turn of the 19th and 20th century.
3. Wooden buildings in Szczepanów – urban layout of the village from the 18th century, in which wooden buildings still dominated until mid-20th century.
4. Sanctuary in Szczepanów – associated with the cult of St Stanislaus, bishop of Kraków and martyr. The main pilgrimage centre is a Gothic church founded by Jan Długosz in the 15th century and connected with the new one in 1914. At the birthplace of the legendary saint there is a source and a chapel from the 19th century. Other monuments of Szczepanów include the church of St Stanislaus dating from the 18th century.
5. Castle in Dębno – erected around 1470–1480. After the destruction during World War II, it was thoroughly renovated. This is the only example of a small medieval castle, with an almost exclusive residential function, that can be found in the Małopolska Region. Information: www.muzeum.tarnow.pl
6. The church in Dębno – built in 1502–04 from brick and irregular ashlars. It is an excellent example of post-Gothic religious architecture. It is worth paying attention to portals in the "Długosz" style and valuable stone wall tabernacle.
7. Sanctuary in Porąbka Uszewska – founded at the beginning of the 20th century. It is connected with a copy of the statue of Our Lady of Lourdes, placed in a stone cave.
8. The stronghold at the Bocheniec Hill in Jadowniki – the remains of an early medieval stronghold from the 9th–10th century. It was one of the most important defensive objects of the tribal period, related to the state of Vistulans existing in the Małopolska Region.
9. The palace and park complex in Okocim – built in the Neo-Baroque style in the years 1898-1900 by Jan II Albin Goetz – the owner of the Okocim brewery. In addition to the palace, the complex also includes a guardhouse, an entrance gate with a fence and a conservatory located in a large park designed in the English style.

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Route 28: In the land of many cultures

Tarnów, Zawada (5 km) Słona Góra (12,5 km) Pleśna (17,5 km) Szczepanowice (22,5 km) Błonie (24,5 km) Zgłobice (27 km) Tarnów (33,6 km) 

33,6 km, 4h, difficulty – medium

Altitude profile of the route:

This trip, starting in Tarnów, is an attractive route due to the varied terrain and accumulation of tourist attractions. We start at the railway station and go along Narutowicza Street, we pass a wooden church, and after the tracks another wooden church of St Trinity. We come back to Ziaji Street, to turn slightly further along the tourist routes to the right, onto al. Tarnowskich. We pass the Tarnów bypass and, next to the bathing beach, we climb up to St Martin's Peak. On the right we have the ruins of Tarnowski Castle, and after turning left, a bit further – a wooden church from the 15th century. We cycle on the scenic ridge along the Zawada buildings, to finally turn right following the yellow tourist trail. At the next bifurcation we leave the trail, going right again. We cycle on the flat, uncovered ridge to reach road No 977, and then turn left. On the sharp curve, next to the forest parking lot, we turn right, and follow along the ridge road the yellow trail to Słona Góra, reaching three cemeteries from World War I. We take the yellow trail (steeply at the end) to Pleśna. We cross the railroad tracks, turn right at the intersection, and after a while, we turn left before the cemetery. Next to the neo-Gothic church we climb arduously to Żabno. Already on the ridge we turn right and go down the serpentine to the hamlet of Tracze, where we turn left at the intersection, and then right at the bifurcation. We go straight through Błonie to reach Zgłobice, where we turn right at the manor and park complex with a hotel. A little further we meet the green trail, which leads us to the Tarnów bypass. We carry the bike up to the bridge and get to the other side of the bypass, where we enter the bike path along Krakowska Street and go to the city centre.

ATTRACTIONS ON THE ROUTE:

1. Tenement houses at Rynek 20-21 in Tarnów – erected in the 1560s. They belong to the best preserved Renaissance buildings of this type in Poland. Currently the seat of the District Museum in Tarnów. Information: www.muzeum.tarnow.pl
2. Tarnów Town Hall – built in the mid-14th century, it was given its current Renaissance appearance after the reconstruction at the end of the 16th century. It houses a branch of the District Museum in Tarnów, where a permanent exhibition is presented – In kontusz and with sabre – Gallery of Old Art from the collection of Sanguszko princes.
3. Tarnów Cathedral – the most representative monument of the city, erected in the 14th century. It owes its present neo-Gothic appearance to the reconstruction undertaken in 1899-1900. It is famous for its Renaissance tombstones, which are considered one of the most valuable in Europe. These include, in particular, a two-story monument of hetman Jan Tarnowski and his son from the second half of the 16th century and the tombstone of Barbara née Tęczyński from 1521.
4. Bima in Tarnów – the podium from which the Torah was read. It is a remnant of a synagogue built in 1661 and destroyed by the Nazis in 1939.
5. Wooden church of Our Lady of the Scapular in Tarnów – consecrated in 1440. At the main altar we can admire the painting of the church's patron.
6. Sanguszko Palace in Tarnów-Gumniska – dates back to 1799. Numerous reconstructions resulted in creating a magnificent but not so much impressive magnate residence.
7. Castle ruins on St Martin's Hill – from the 14th / 16th century. Originally it was a stone and brick building with a huge tower, perimeter wall and gate. As a result of the transformations carried out in the 16th century, it became surrounded by bastion fortifications. Abandoned since the end of the 17th century.
8. Wooden church in Zawada – built in the 15th century in the Gothic style. Noteworthy are the ogival Gothic portals and remains of forged fittings. Late Gothic bas-reliefs and Baroque sculptures can be found in the church's interior.
9. War cemeteries from World War I – see description of Route 22 on p. 47.
10. Manor complex in Zgłobice – from the second half of the 19th century, surrounded by a park with an alley. After a general refurbishment in 2014, a restaurant and hotel "Dwór Prezydencki" (Presidential Manor) was opened in it.
 

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Route 29: Through Dunajec by bicycle and ... by ferry

Czchów, Tropie (15 km) Iwkowa (23 km) Tymowa (29 km) Czchów (33 km) 

33 km, 4 h, difficulty – medium

Altitude profile of the route:

We invite you by the picturesque Dunajec River and Czchowskie Lake to visit the ruins of medieval castles and several historic churches. The trip begins at the market square in Czchów. We go down along Szkolna Street near the church to the national road No 75, which we cross straight ahead, and then we go to the ferry on the Dunajec River (free, every day from 5:00 to 22:00). After the ferry, we turn right, and, having passed by the church, we turn right again. In front of the dam on the Dunajec River, following the blue bike trail, we turn left onto the gravel road. We cycle up a steep climb to the ridge of Czubica (453 m a.s.l.), and go east by the curve. This is where a yellow bike trail joins. We go along a wavy gravel road along the trails and get to the intersection where the trails bifurcation. We stay on the yellow trail and go to the right, then down the steep descent to Roztoka-Brzeziny. Here we go right again and following the Dunajec Valley, we reach the sanctuary in Tropie. After 500 m we get to the ferry (running every 15 minutes, break between 12:00 and 13:00). We cross the Czchowskie Lake and on the other side we turn left, then after 900 m in front of the "Tropsztyn" Castle we turn right up the Carpathian Bicycle Trail (red), which should lead us to Iwkowa. Having passed by the historic church at the bifurcation, we follow the black bike trail to the right. We take a gentle climb to the small pass, from which we descend with numerous serpentines to Tymowa. We turn right onto road No 966, and we pass a wooden church. After 600 m we turn right and, alternating climbs and descents, we get back to Czchów. At the end of the road we turn right and after 200 m we reach the market square. At the end, it is worth going to the ruins of the 14th-century defensive tower.

ATTRACTIONS ON THE ROUTE:

1. The historic buildings of Czchów – a well-preserved medieval layout of the city with a quadrilateral market square surrounded by wooden houses.
2. Gothic church in Czchów – built on the turn of the 14th and 15th century. In the presbytery, figural polychromy from 1380. In addition, the church's equipment includes: Renaissance tombstones from the 16th century, Gothic portals and a stone baptismal font from 1506, pieta in the main altar from the first half of the 15th century.
3. The church in Tropie – probably built in the years 1080-1090, as evidenced by the polychromy from the 12th century and the Romanesque window in the eastern wall of the presbytery. The temple was associated with the Christianization of the local population in the 10th century by a hermit – St Andrew Zorard. At the north of the church, there is a chapel at the historic site of the Saint's hermitage. Nearby, a spring with water which is said to be effective at treating eye diseases.
4. Czchowskie Lake – an artificial expansion reservoir formed in the 1940s by partitioning the Dunajec River with an earth and erratic dam. The dam also includes a pumped-storage hydroelectric power plant. Due to the great silting, Czchowskie Lake is used for recreation to a limited extent.
5. "Tropsztyn" Castle in Wytrzyszczka – a fully reconstructed knight's stronghold from the 14th century, situated on a picturesque hill above Czchowskie Lake. Dungeons and an exhibition devoted to Inca culture were made available for visitors.
6. Wooden church in Iwkowa – built in the second half of the 15th century. The internal walls of the nave are decorated with late-Renaissance polychromy from 1619. In the presbytery window, a copy of the oldest stained-glass window from the first half of the 14th century
7. Wooden church in Tymowa – from 1764 with decorative arcades built around the nave in 1913 and a valuable painting.
8. Ruins of the castle tower in Czchów – all that remained from the fortified castle dating back to the 14th century, guarding an important medieval trade route. Excellent view of Czchów and the Dunajec Valley.

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