Green Velo

This is a short recreational route crossing Kielce from south to north along the Silnica River. Most of it goes through green areas on both sides of the river, and along the way you’ll have the chance to see Kadzielnia Nature Reserve, the impressive ul. Sienkiewicza and also Kielce Reservoir. As you pass through the city centre, you’ll be able to see the Palace of the Kraków Bishops and there are plenty of places to sit down and relax – either outside on a bench or inside in one of the numerous restaurants and cafés.

L. Drogosza (0.0 km) → al. Legionów → Kadzielnia Nature Reserve → ul. Krakowska → ul. Ogrodowa → ul. Jesionowa → ul. Sienkiewicza (2.6 km) → al. IX Wieków Kielc → Jesionowa → Kielce Reservoir (6.6 km)

• 6.6 km
• 1 hours (3 hours with sightseeing)
• Touring, cross
• 48 m
• 71% asphalt bike paths
• 23% gravel bike paths
• 6% public asphalt roads
• Easy route
• Marking partial, Green Velo Trail

Getting there and starting out

You can leave your car in the car park at the Hala Legionów municipal sports stadium (ul. L. Drogosza). The main train station in Kielce is 600 m away from the trail (with access via ul. Sienkiewicza).

Technical description

Start your trip from the car park at the Hala Legionów municipal sports stadium (ul. L. Drogosza). Head towards al. Legionów, crossing ul. Marmurowa. The bike path goes along al. Legionów to ul. Sołtysiaka “Barabasza”. After the bicycle crossing, there’s an ascent up to the viewing terrace over Kadzielnia Nature Reserve. Ride down towards ul. Gagarina and cross ul. Krakowska. Follow along the banks of the Silnica River, passing through Aleja Sław (the Walk of Fame) with the busts of famous people from the world of culture and art in the 20^th century. Take the bicycle tunnel under ul. Ogrodowa and then continue along the bank of the Silnica or along Podzamecki Pond. From there, you can see the Palace of the Kraków Bishops, and the nearby cathedral basilica. Once you have passed ul. Solna, there’s a short section before ul. Sienkiewicza where you’ll find a wide selection of restaurants and cafés. If you take ul. Sienkiewicza to the left, you will get to the train station; and if you go right, you’ll reach Artists’ Square and the Palace of the Kraków Bishops. Further on is the riverside boulevard called Planty. Stay on the left bank of the river and pass Irena Sendlerowa Square. When you reach al. IX Wieków Kielc, turn left toward the roundabout, and take the underpass to go under the very busy road above. Continue to ride along the west bank of the river. Go past the playground and take the bike path under ul. Jesionowa, emerging by Kielce Reservoir. Ride along the eastern edge of the lake and go past the pier. When you reach ul. Jesionowa again, you will have circled the reservoir. You could add a little variety to the return trip by taking the roads on the opposite side of the Silnica River.

Attractions along the way:

Kadzielnia Nature Reserve

The nature reserve was created in a former limestone excavation pit. The highest elevation point – Geologists’ Rock, with its visible sink holes, calcite veins, caves and numerous fossils – is protected. There’s also an amphitheatre here, beautifully nestled in the rocky slope. The opposite slope has a walking path with viewing terraces, while you may also wish to explore the Underground Tourist Route, which takes you through three local caves.

Speleoklub Świętokrzyski, cave reservations – tel. +48 695 213 381,

www.kadzielniakielce.pl

Castle Hill

Its name comes from the fortified Bishops Palace that was founded between 1637 and 1641 by Bishop Jakub Zadzik. It is now home to the National Museum, the Sanctuary of Marshal Piłsudski and a gallery of Polish art with works by Jacek Malczewski, Witkacy and Stanisław Wyspiański, among others. Next to the palace is the Cathedral of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Originally built in the Romanesque style, it is now predominantly Baroque following numerous remodels. Also nearby is the Classicist building of the former men’s gymnasium (middle school), as well as the Museum of Stefan Żeromski’s School Years, celebrating the Nobel-nominated novelist, the 17^th century Church of the Holy Trinity and the larchwood Laszczyk Manor House from the 18^th century.

National Museum – Plac Zamkowy 1, tel. +48 41 344 23 18, www.mnki.pl

Museum of Stefan Żeromski’s School Years, ul. Jana Pawła II 5,

tel. +48 41 344 57 92, www.mnki.pl/zeromski

Laszczyk Manor House, ul. Jana Pawła II 6, tel. +48 41 344 92 97, www.mwk.com.pl