VeloDunajec (with detours around missing sections)

Routes

Velo Dunajec Falsztyn zjazd nad Zatokę Kosarzyska

Scale of difficulty: For intermediates
Length of trail: 233

Zakopane Tourist region: Pieniny i Spisz, Tarnów i okolice, Tatry i Podhale

VeloDunajec – the most charming and attractive of the VeloMałopolska cycling routes. It runs through the picturesque area of the Dunajec Valley with views of the Tatra, Gorce, Beskid, Pieniny and Pogórze mountains. Current proposal to travel along the VeloDunajec route (240 km), which runs on asphalt / existing portions and includes detours along local roads (unfortunately with heavy traffic and steep inclines) in those sections that are under construction or in the planning phase.

The trip is suggested for those who want to check what has already been built as part of the Velo Dunajec route from Zakopane to Wietrzychowice (where it connects with the Vistula Bicycle Route). For the most part, this trail is suitable for road bikes, except for the section through the Slovak part of the Pieniny Road through the Dunajec Gorge, where we recommend the users of road bikes to detour through Leśnica and Wielki Lipnik to Červený Kláštor. The rest of this route is either asphalt or hard surfaced, with the only gravel and hardened sections in Zgłobice (200 m), and in Biały Dunajec (800 m). Difficulty: medium (due to detour sections that run on roads with heavy traffic and steep inclines).
47% of the trail runs on roads free of vehicular traffic. Notes about the route: There are several short but steep climbs on the route (Falsztyn, Brzyna, Dąbrowa, Rożnów, Habalina) and a few gravel and dirt sections: • (800 m) hard dirt road in Biały Dunajec. • the (10 km) Slovak part of the Pieniny Road through the Dunajec Gorge, which can be ‘bypassed’ on the asphalt road through Leśnica and Wielki Lipnik to Červený Kláštor, climb and descend to a brilliant scenic pass. • gravel section (200 m) climbing up to Habalina • dirt road (3 km) Szczepanowice-Zgłobice. The trail bypasses on normal roads the following sections, which are still under construction or in concept/planning stage: • Krościenko-Tylmanowa (4.5 km) • Tylmanowa-Zabrzeż (2.5 km) • Gołkowice-Mostki (1.5 km) • Wielogłowy-Piaski Dróżków (30 km) • Wróblowice-Ostrów (25 km). Maximum elevation: 836 m a.s.l. The lowest point on the route is at elevation: 176 m a.s.l. The route runs through the following protected areas: Landscape parks: Ciężkowice-Rożnów Landscape Park National Parks: Pieniny National Park Natura 2000: Białka Valley, Podkowce in Szczawnica, Niedzica, Dolny Dunajec, Górny Dunajec, Środkowy Dunajec with tributaries, peat bogs in the Orawa-Nowy Targ basin, Pieniny. 16% of the route runs through the forest. Tourist attractions: Tygodnik Podhalański bench, Upside-down House, Museum of Teddy Bears Misioland, Krupówki Street, Jan Kasprowicz Museum, Regional Chamber, Janosikowy Skok river jump, Entrance pavilion in Sromowce Wyżne-Kąty, Rafting down the Dunajec Gorge, Szopczański Gorge, Entrance pavilion in Szczawnica, Bacówka ‘U Jasia’, Dunajec Castle, St. Kinga’s Chapel, Czorsztyn Castle, ABlandia, Ziemroźka spring, Dębno – wooden churches of southern Małopolska, Manor house in Łopuszna, Tischnerówka, Czesław Pajerski Podhale Museum, Well of St. Florian, Stary Sącz – Old Town complex including the monastery of the Poor Clares, Father Józef Tischner Museum, Seweryn Udziela Regional Museum, Maria Ritter Gallery in Nowy Sącz, Gothic House, District Museum in Nowy Sącz, Ruins of the Royal Castle in Nowy Sącz, Lower Castle.

Velo Dunajec won an award in the 2020 Tourist Treasures of Małopolska competition in the Most Interesting Tourist Route category.

Route details

Zakopane – Poronin – Biały Dunajec – Szaflary – Nowy Targ – Nowy Targ – Łapsze Niżne – Czorsztyn – Szczawnica – Krościenko Nad Dunajcem – Ochotnica Dolna – Łącko – Stary Sącz – m. Stary Sącz – m. Nowy Sącz – Chełmiec – Gródek nad Dunajcem – Czchów – Zakliczyn – m. Zakliczyn – Pleśna – Tarnów – Wojnicz – Wierzchosławice – Radłów – Żabno – Wietrzychowice (styk z Wiślaną Trasą Rowerową)