Green Velo

This attractive route makes a loop around the Łysogóry Mountains, and offers plenty of spectacular views along the way. Combining sections of two red bike trails, the entire route is just under 60 km long and goes mostly along asphalt roads, some of which have dedicated cycle lanes and bike paths. Due to the significant elevation gain, it is classed as a difficult trail, although it shouldn’t pose a problem for experienced cyclists. In fact, it can actually be an attractive form of training. The good road surface means that it is mainly suitable for road bikes, although a couple of exceptions are two short sections on unpaved roads around the villages of Tarczek and Świętomarz. However, you can easily bypass them if you prefer. The trail stays mainly out in open countryside, partly within the Świętokrzyski National Park, and passes numerous historic monuments and attractions along the way.

Krajno Pierwsze (0.0 km) → Święta Katarzyna (1.7 km) → Bodzentyn (9.0 km) → Tarczek (13.6 km) → Świętomarz (15.3 km) → Łomno (19.4 km) → Jeziorko (22.8 km) → Nowa Słupia (29.6 km) → Bartoszowiny (36.4 km) → Huta Stara (39.8 km) → Bieliny (46.0 km) → Kakonin (49.1 km) → Krajno Pierwsze (57.2 km)

• Lenght: 57.2 km
• Time: 5 hours (9 hours with sightseeing)
• Type: Touring, cross, road
• Elevation: 742 m
• 77% public asphalt roads, 11% cycle lanes, 10% bike paths, 2% unpaved roads
• Difficult
• Marking good; red bike trail

Getting there and starting out

You can leave your car in the car park by voivodeship road no. 752, between Święta Katarzyna and Górno. It has a viewing terrace in Krajeńska Pass (430 m above sea level) from which you can see a panoramic view of the Świętokrzyskie Mountains. To the north, you can see almost the entire wooded Klonowskie Range with the peak of Bukowa Góra, while below is the picturesque Wilkowska Valley with a reservoir, and to the east is the Łysica massif (614 m above sea level). On the other side of the road is a restaurant. 

Technical description

The trail begins in Krajno Pierwsze, in a car park on a pass with great views. First comes the descent into Święta Katarzyna. As you ride through Świętokrzyski National Park, you will remain on a designated bike lane along voivodeship road no. 752. Before the Bernardine Convent, a road branches off – this is where the main red hiking trail to Łysica goes. Leaving this popular tourist village behind, you will once again enter the forests of Świętokrzyski National Park. This time, however, you will be taking a new bike path, passing a shelter along the way. You now have a short uphill with some great views before you reach Bodzentyn. Follow the red trail and you’ll get to the Upper Market, where the historic 15^th century church and castle ruins are well worth seeing. There is another point of interest at ul. 3 Maja 13 – the Czernikiewicz Homestead. After leaving Bodzentyn, continue along the voivodeship road towards Tarczek, where you’ll see a precious Romanesque church. There is a short, unpaved section of road ahead, followed by the village of Świętomarz, with another historic church. The route will once again take a dirt path for a moment, followed by narrow asphalt roads with great views before reaching voivodeship road no. 751. Turn left and after about 7 km you will reach Nowa Słupia, where the building called “Opatówka” (“The Abbot’s House”) is a former hospital rectory. If you feel up for a small detour, you could visit the Cultural and Archaeological Centre, where the famous “Dymarki Świętokrzyskie” festival takes place every year. Next comes the busy voivodeship road no. 753, with partially separated cycle lanes (except for a short ascent in Świętokrzyski National Park). When you turn towards Stara Huta, you’ll have a very pleasant descent in store with some great views, and then from Szklana Huta you can ride up to Święty Krzyż. There is also an interesting medieval settlement in Szklana Huta. As you ride through the densely built-up villages on your way back, you will reach Bieliny, where your attention will be drawn to the beautiful early Baroque church. The last stop on the route is Kakonin, with its historic cottage. There is also a small restaurant in the enclosure, where you can try regional specialities during the season. After one last descent comes an uphill, leading to the same pass where you started out.              

Attractions along the way:

Bernardine Convent in Święta Katarzyna

The convent’s history dates back to the 15^th   century when it was initially the site of a hermitage for an order of Benedictine monks from Święty Krzyż. The building has been remodelled many times throughout the centuries, although the Renaissance garth from 1633, surrounded by cloisters, has been preserved to this day.

ul.  Kielecka 2, Święta Katarzyna, tel.   +48 41 311 22 19

Near the convent in Święta Katarzyna is the entrance to Świętokrzyski National Park, which is the starting point for the trail leading to the highest peak of the Świętokrzyskie Mountains – Łysica.

Museum of Minerals and Fossils – “Secrets of Gemstones” Gallery in Święta Katarzyna

The museum has five exhibition rooms containing more than a thousand specimens of minerals, precious stones and fossils that have been collected over the years as a result of the passion of the owners, Ewa and Dariusz Siemoński. There are pieces from all over the world here, including a 100 kg crystal conglomerate from Arkansas, as well as native specimens from the Świętokrzyskie Mountains. The museum has its own guides available, and also a gift shop where souvenirs can be purchased.

ul. Kielecka 20, tel. +48 501 282 691,   www.swkatarzyna-muzeum.pl

Świętokrzyski National Park

Established in 1950, Świętokrzyski National Park is the third-oldest such park in Poland. It encompasses the central part of the Świętokrzyskie Mountains, and its highest point is Łysica (its eastern peak, known as Skała Agaty, or Agata’s Rock, is 614 m above sea level). More than 90% of the surface area of the park is covered by forests that were once part of the forest complex known as Puszcza Świętokrzyska (Świętokrzyska Forest). It has a mixed forest composition with firs, larches, spruces and beeches. The park is also known for its characteristic stone runs, called   gołoborza   in Polish, which are believed to have been created during the last glacial period and can be found on the massifs of Łysa Góra and Łysica, among other places. If you’d like to learn more about the Świętokrzyskie Mountains, you can also visit the National Park’s Nature Museum on Święty Krzyż.

Nature Museum on Święty Krzyż

Święty Krzyż 2, tel.   +48 41 31 77 087, +48 690 080 034,   www.swietokrzyskipn.org.pl 

Castle ruins in Bodzentyn

The ruins of a castle built by Bishop Florian Mokrski in the 14^th century
tower over the Psarka River. All that is left today are the remains of the high tower walls with window openings and a 17^th century red sandstone portal. Next to the ruins is the Gothic Church of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary and St. Stanislaus from the 15^th century.

Czernikiewicz Homestead in Bodzentyn

The Czernikiewicz Homestead, which dates from the beginning of the 19^th century, is a branch of the Muzeum Wsi Kieleckiej (Kielce Countryside Museum). Inside, it houses an interesting exhibition of tools, furniture and equipment used by the local population at the turn of the 20^th century.

ul. 3 Maja 13, tel. +48 512 525 517, www.mwk.com.pl

Church of St. Giles in Tarczek

This 13^th century church in Tarczek is one of the most valuable examples of Romanesque sacral architecture in the whole country. It is a single-nave building with a rectangular presbytery, a beautifully preserved Romanesque portal and a late-Gothic triptych in the main altar.

Church of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Świętomarz

This Gothic church was built between 1367 and 1434 in place of a wooden church that previously stood there. The present appearance of the church is the result of a 19^th century renovation, although the old wooden belfry still stands next to it. 

Cultural and Archaeological Centre in Nowa Słupia

This educational and archaeological park, which is situated on the site of an ancient complex of bloomeries, contains reconstructions of buildings typical of the Przeworsk and Roman cultures from the beginning of the Common Era, spread out over an area of 4 hectares. They include faithful replicas of huts and handicraft workshops. A popular festival called “Dymarki Świętokrzyskie” is held here every year.

ul. Świętokrzyska 62, tel. +48 507 803 986, www.dymarki.pl

Historic homestead in Kakonin

This wooden cottage, which is typical for the villages in the region, shows how the average family lived in this area at the turn of the 20^th century. The cottage contains furniture and tools in use over 100 years ago.