Cycling holiday in Poland
| country: | Poland |
| trip type: | Moderate cycling holidays |
| departures: | 2009: 23 May, 13 Jun, 18 Jul, 25 Jul, 1 Aug, 29 Aug, 5 Sep, 12 Sep |
| price: | From £840 - £850 (8 days) including flights from the UK, £565 excluding flights. Single supplement from £80 |
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the amazing things you'll be doing
Although not an obvious cycling holiday destination, Poland is actually a perfect place to explore on two wheels.
As well as unspoilt landscapes, there are magnificent medieval towns set in sparsely populated countryside, villages where the age-old rhythms of life still continue, country roads where farm animals and horse drawn carts are still a common sight and above all else hospitable and friendly local people.
We explore a beautiful rural region of Southern Poland, which was once part of the ancient 'Kingdom of Galicia'.
Foothills of the Tatras Mountains: From Krakow we drive south to the mountain town of Zakopane. Ascending Mt. Gubalowka by funicular we enjoy a beautiful ride down to the timber-framed village of Chocholow in time for lunch in the village inn. Following a disused railway line, quiet country lanes and a riverside path we then pedal past the confluence of the White and Black Dunajec rivers to arrive in the historic village of Lopuszna.
Cycling the Dunajec Gorge: There's time to visit an old wooden manor house before we cycle the winding course of the Bialka river, to its gorge near Nowa Bialka. We arrive in Spisz, a region rich in history, folk culture and castles. Reaching one of these castles at Niedzica, we spend the night in a nearby hotel. The next day we cross into Slovakia and cycle along the 'Pieniny Way', a path for walkers and cyclists only, part is actually carved out of the cliff which runs the length of the Dunajec Gorge. The scene of limestone cliffs and wooden rafts navigating the river down below is breathtaking.
From Feudal Villages to Krakow: We cross back into Poland to the little spa town of Szczawnica then cycle a lovely route between the beech wood slopes of the Beskid mountains, along the Dunajec river. Our last night in the south is spent at Rytro, an old feudal village at the foot of castle ruins, on the shady banks of the Poprad. A final short ride takes us through the Poprad Valley to Stary Sacz before we drive to Krakow, Poland's most celebrated city. Our final day is spent enjoying a cycle tour of Krakow's famous market square, medieval old town and historic Kazimierz district.
Price includes accommodation (hotel & pension), meals (7 breakfasts & 2 dinners), bicycles (21-gear touring bikes with rear pannier bag for carrying day things) and tour leader. Group size is approx 12 to 16 people.
We cycle 230km in 6 days (average 38km/cycling day). Cycling is mostly on the flat or downhill though there are several short uphill sections, generally when ascending out of river valleys. 80% asphalt, 15% well-maintained gravel lanes, 5% rougher tracks. Luggage is transferred between hotels by small vehicle/van. No vehicle back-up is provided whilst cycling on this trip as it is not necessary.
As well as unspoilt landscapes, there are magnificent medieval towns set in sparsely populated countryside, villages where the age-old rhythms of life still continue, country roads where farm animals and horse drawn carts are still a common sight and above all else hospitable and friendly local people.
We explore a beautiful rural region of Southern Poland, which was once part of the ancient 'Kingdom of Galicia'.
Foothills of the Tatras Mountains: From Krakow we drive south to the mountain town of Zakopane. Ascending Mt. Gubalowka by funicular we enjoy a beautiful ride down to the timber-framed village of Chocholow in time for lunch in the village inn. Following a disused railway line, quiet country lanes and a riverside path we then pedal past the confluence of the White and Black Dunajec rivers to arrive in the historic village of Lopuszna.
Cycling the Dunajec Gorge: There's time to visit an old wooden manor house before we cycle the winding course of the Bialka river, to its gorge near Nowa Bialka. We arrive in Spisz, a region rich in history, folk culture and castles. Reaching one of these castles at Niedzica, we spend the night in a nearby hotel. The next day we cross into Slovakia and cycle along the 'Pieniny Way', a path for walkers and cyclists only, part is actually carved out of the cliff which runs the length of the Dunajec Gorge. The scene of limestone cliffs and wooden rafts navigating the river down below is breathtaking.
From Feudal Villages to Krakow: We cross back into Poland to the little spa town of Szczawnica then cycle a lovely route between the beech wood slopes of the Beskid mountains, along the Dunajec river. Our last night in the south is spent at Rytro, an old feudal village at the foot of castle ruins, on the shady banks of the Poprad. A final short ride takes us through the Poprad Valley to Stary Sacz before we drive to Krakow, Poland's most celebrated city. Our final day is spent enjoying a cycle tour of Krakow's famous market square, medieval old town and historic Kazimierz district.
Price includes accommodation (hotel & pension), meals (7 breakfasts & 2 dinners), bicycles (21-gear touring bikes with rear pannier bag for carrying day things) and tour leader. Group size is approx 12 to 16 people.
We cycle 230km in 6 days (average 38km/cycling day). Cycling is mostly on the flat or downhill though there are several short uphill sections, generally when ascending out of river valleys. 80% asphalt, 15% well-maintained gravel lanes, 5% rougher tracks. Luggage is transferred between hotels by small vehicle/van. No vehicle back-up is provided whilst cycling on this trip as it is not necessary.
day-by-day itinerary
| Day 1: | Join Krakow; drive Zakopane |
| Day 2: | Funicular to Gubalowka; ride down to Chocholow; continue to Lopuszna via Nowy Targ |
| Day 3: | Cycle via Bialka River Gorge and reservoir to Niedzica |
| Day 4: | Cross into Slovakia; ride along the 'Pieniny Way' through Dunajec Gorge; continue to Szczawnica spa town (Poland) |
| Day 5: | Cycle to Rytro via the 'green Dunajec Gorge' and Zabrzez |
| Day 6: | Pedal through Poprad valley to Stary Sacz; drive to Krakow via Nowy Sacz |
| Day 7: | Cycle tour of Krakow and environs |
| Day 8: | End Krakow |
travellers' tales
The most memorable bit was cycling in the countryside. (more)
small group adventure holiday
Typically you will be sharing your experiences with between 4-20 like minded travellers (depending on the trip, operator and how many others are booked on the trip) and you'll have a group leader with you. Whether you are travelling alone or with friends its good value, and a great way to meet new people! While itineraries are pre-planned there is some flexibility and you'll have plenty of privacy. This trip will appeal to travellers of all ages who enjoy meeting new people as well as seeing new places.how this holiday makes a difference
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Cycling is recognised as one of the greenest forms of travel producing zero carbon emissions and noise pollution. On this trip the majority of the cycle paths we use follow old towpaths and ancient trade routes through small towns, rather than new routes carved out across the countryside. By choosing this holiday you therefore ensure that your visit to southern Poland has only the smallest of impacts on this rural environment. We also travel in small groups of 12 to 16 participants, to help minimise the disturbance our visit may cause.
Much of this holiday is spent in what has traditionally been an economically disadvantaged part of Poland where small-scale agriculture is the main form of income and many young people find themselves forced to move to urban areas to look for work. The additional income generated from our visit is thus particularly welcome and where possible we stay in family owned and operated small hotels and pensions and eat out in different local restaurants in the towns and villages along our route. One symptom of rural stagnation is when ancient traditions, such as craft and folk music start to die out. Partly through the interest and enjoyment of visitors such as us, these traditions are kept alive and are passed on to future generations. The market at Zakopane is a great place to find locally made hand produced crafts. Back In Krakow we can enjoy an evening of the traditional Jewish Klezmer music. Our knowledgeable Polish tour leaders have a strong love for their own country and its traditions and also a love of nature, which they will share along the way. In fact, aall of our suppliers in Poland are local, from our ground agents to transport providers, hotels and tour crew. Our ground agent is the sponsor of several nature protection projects in Poland, including the conservation of Bee-eater colonies and Aquatic Warbler sites and they are a founder member of "The Wild Meadows" – a foundation for the protection of wetlands supported by Polish tour operators.  As well as the above, we support a variety of charities and projects worldwide which support vulnerable communities and habitats including Friends of Conservation, Hope Worldwide and Send A Cow. We are also actively engaged with UK travel industry bodies which promote best practice in responsible tourism, such as Tourism Concern, The Travel Foundation and AITO. Our commitment to responsible tourism is not limited to our overseas operation and we have measures to ensure our UK office operates according to our responsible tourism policy. Carbon offsets for all flights booked with us are included in the tour cost. |
Tourism can be good and bad for destinations & local people. We carefully screen every holiday against our criteria for responsible travel. 'Look behind the brochure' to find how each holiday makes a difference (see left). We don't claim to be perfect - there is no global accreditation - but we've led the way since 2001 and screened 1000's of holidays. We invite every traveller to write a review about their experiences and responsible tourism. This valuable feedback is sent to the people who run the holidays. We keep a very close eye on it and take off holidays that don't live up to our standards. |