Green Velo

Green Velo East Cycle Trail starts at Żuławy, the lowermost region of Poland (the village of Raczki Elbląskie, right next to Elbląg, is located at 1.8 metre below the sea level). Further on, the trail runs along the hills of the Elbląg Uplands towards the Vistula Lagoon. The Lagoon marks the beginning of a journey through the vast spaces of Warmia, where the golden fields of grain touch the horizon. This part of the route offers not only quietness of the local villages, but also the opportunity to visit several medieval towns, where the dominant colour is the redness of the brick houses, churches and castles.

Afterwards, the trail enters Masuria. Only a few years ago this region has entered the finals of the competition for the seven wonders of the nature. It is a place conjured out of water and clouds, where the sky and the lakes seem to embrace each other, forming one of the most beautiful landscapes in this part of the world. Then the trail reaches the Suwałki Region. You can find several amazing places here, for example the deepest lake in Poland (Hańcza). Further on, the cyclists will reach Podlasie and its biggest attraction – the Biebrza National Park with its great flocks of ruffs and cranes dancing in the meadows. The mighty 19th century fortress of Osowiec rises among the marshes of Biebrza. Along with the Biebrza River, the trail reaches the Narew River, which at one point forms a so-called braided river bed, flowing into hundreds of channels, creating one of the wildest river areas in Europe. As “for dessert”, the Podlaskie Voivodeship introduces the Białowieża Forest – a world unique place inscribed in the UNESCO Biosphere Reserves List. Of course, all of this is topped with cultural attractions, which are considered unique in Poland: the town of Tykocin, the Branicki Palace in Białystok and the longest monument in Poland – the Augustów Canal.

The next kilometres of the trail follow the Bug River, which is flowing majestically amid the green landscapes of the Lublin Voivodeship. In this region, where the river forms a natural border with Belarus and Ukraine, we cover more than half of the 363 kilometre route distance. Another peculiarity of the Sobibór Forest, stretching between Włodawa and Chełm, is the European pond turtle – a species that is endangered all across Europe. Its largest breeding sites in the country can be found right here. Following the same direction we arrive at Roztocze, where we are welcomed by Polish Konik horses, descendants of a wild forest horse – the Tarpan, and picturesque river knickpoints, commonly known as szumy (derived from the murmuring sound of water).

Finally, on its way south, Green Velo reaches Przemyśl – the most borderland town of today’s Poland. From there the trail runs west, leads along the twisting roads of the Przemyśl Foothills, and allows to enjoy mountain-like landscapes and the San River, which is picturesquely meandering among the gentle hills. Afterwards, we reach Rzeszów and another two exceptional locations: Łańcut with its famous castle, and Leżajsk, where Green Velo meets the San River for the second time. At this point the river is more powerful, more untamed, however, seemingly much calmer than in the vicinity of Przemyśl. Along with it, the trail runs to Sandomierz – probably the most beautiful medieval town in Poland.

The final part of the route leads through the Świętokrzyski Region. The region of Sandomierz amazes with numerous loess ravines, as well as orchards and gardens stretching to the horizon. In Klimontów the cyclists are welcomed by the monumental collegiate Church of St. Joseph. Next up are the castle ruins in Ujazd, the Palace of the Cracow Bishops in Kielce and Henryk Sienkiewicz’s palace in Oblęgorek, which all wait for their secrets to be unravelled. However, the greatest attention should be paid to the attractions of inanimate nature that can be found in the Świętokrzyskie Voivodeship. These include the Świętokrzyskie Mountains, the Pepper Mountains and nature reserves located in Kielce.