Green Velo

Not very demanding but quite long, this loop goes through the extensive forest complexes south of Końskie. Most of the route is on asphalt roads with medium or low traffic. Along the way, you’ll have the opportunity to relax by the reservoir in Sielpia Wielka and also visit Czarniecka Góra, a village seeking to regain its status as a health resort. You should follow the green bike trail, although from Sielpia Wielka to Czarniecka Góra you will also have yellow, blue and red trails to help you.

Sielpia Wielka (0.0 km) → Piekło (5.9 km) → Wąsosz (11.7 km) → Czarniecka Góra (15.5 km) → Błotnica (18.6 km) → Mokra (23.1 km) → Krasna (26.4 km) → Luta (29.3 km) → Szałas (33.8 km) → Długojów (37.1 km) → Rogowice (39.7 km) → Serbinów (42.9 km) → Krasna (47.4 km) → Adamek (50.3 km) → Kamienna Wola (52.1 km) → Przyłogi (54.7 km) → Cisownik (58.2 km) – Miedzierza (61.1 km) → Sielpia Wielka (66.3 km)

• Lenght: 66.3 km
• Time: 6 hours (7 hours with sightseeing)
• Type: Touring, cross
• Elevation: 558 m
• 89% asphalt roads, 8% gravel roads, 3% unpaved roads
• Moderately difficult
• Marking good; green bike trail

Getting there and starting out

The trip begins in Sielpia Wielka, the largest summer resort in the Świętokrzyskie region. You can leave your car in the car park at the southern shore of the reservoir.

Technical description

The ride begins at the car park by the roundabout. Past the bridge, turn onto on a wide, hard-surface road that can be used for both walking and cycling. As you ride along the shore of the reservoir, you’ll reach the centre of Sielpia Wielka, passing the Museum of the Old-Polish Industrial Region along the way (on the other side of the voivodeship road). Follow the signs for the red, then yellow and blue trails, until you reach Piekło. This small village, lost among the Końskie Forests, is famous for its stunning Jurassic sandstone outcrops, which are protected in the “Skałki Piekło-Gatniki” Nature Reserve. To reach them, you will need to take a small detour and follow the red hiking trail for a few hundred metres. Continuing along the yellow bike trail, you’ll arrive in Czarniecka Góra, a village that is currently attempting to resurrect its old spa traditions. The stylish wooden villas here are a reminder of the time when the place was a thriving health resort. After crossing the Czarna River, follow the green bike trail markings. As you traverse the slopes of Osicowa Hill, bear in mind that iron ore used to be extracted in this area in the past, with the Edward mine, which was active until 1965, employing up to 2,000 miners in its heyday! In the village of Krasna, after about 26 kilometres, it is possible to shorten the route by about 20 km, or simply relax by the shore of a small reservoir. After you go around the Górna Krasna Nature Reserve, admiring the views that open up at times, you will then return to Krasna. From there, follow the local roads to Miedzierza. After about 58 kilometres, turn right and you’ll see a small outdoor museum in Cisownik, where the host will be happy to talk about the olden days. The last section from Miedzierza to Sielpia Wielka is quite busy, so you should watch out for cars travelling at high speed.

Attractions along the way:

Reservoir in Sielpia Wielka

This artificial lake on the Czarna River, which was created in 1960, currently serves a recreational purpose. There are numerous guest houses located on the banks of the reservoir which, in combination with the rich food and entertainment options available, have helped to make Sielpia Wielka a popular holiday resort. As a result of the 2021 modernisation of the infrastructure around the reservoir, a new pier has been added, as well as a road connecting the north and south banks.

Museum of the Old-Polish Industrial Region in Sielpia Wielka

This unique technical monument is situated in a former complex of rolling mills and a puddling plant which was created on the Czarna River as part of the Old-Polish Industrial Region in the years 1821-1842. The plant remained in operation until 1921. There is an exhibition of the old machines that were in use back then in the halls of the complex, including the largest working water wheel in Poland, with a 9 m diameter.

ul. Słoneczna 19 (temporarily closed)

Czarniecka Góra

This small village situated on the banks of the Czarna River, surrounded by pine forests and with wooden villas and a reservoir, was once a popular health resort. This was due to its specific microclimate, which made Czarniecka Góra famous and attracted lots of visitors seeking treatment. If you have time, you can use the indoor swimming pool in the Świętokrzyskie Rehabilitation Centre. The village of Czarna also lies nearby, where you can find the Sanctuary of Our Lady the Educator.

Krasna

This small village in the valley of the Krasna River has a 19^th century forester’s lodge, as well as a church and monument commemorating the events of 6 September 1939. There is also a small reservoir nearby, which is a good place to relax. The upper Krasna Valley is situated south of the village, and protected as part of the Górna Krasna Nature Reserve. A valuable natural area with a number of rare animal species, especially birds, its mosaic of forests and meadows is interspersed with wetlands and watercourses.