Active recreation in Poland – part one

The Barycz's canoeing

The Barycz is a 139 km long river in the western part of Poland. It is the right tributary of the Oder, the river that separates us from Germany. You can start the trip down this picturesque river in Sułów, which is located 20 km south of Leszno in the Wielkopolskie Voivodeship.

The Barycz is not a river that requires special skills as it contains small drops. Therefore, it is an ideal place for traveling with children or the inexperienced.

It's an underestimated river and the Barycz Valley is one of the most valuable ecosystems in Europe, meandering through meadows, forests, next to ponds and lakes. What's crucial is that the length of the trip can be adjusted to your capabilities. It is worth considering the section ending in the park with the castle and palace complex in Żmigród. This way you can combine the rafting with sightseeing.

Fortress Cycle Route

Impressing thematic route located in south-eastern Poland, in the Podkarpackie Voivodeship. As it uses almost exclusively local public and forest roads, it is a unique opportunity to spend time in touch with nature. The bicycle route, running along the forts of the Przemyśl Fortress, allows you to get to know this one-of-a-kind set of military facilities, and at the same time inspires you to spend a few active days in the beautiful, yet natural Podkarpacie region.

Among the interesting objects one can mention Fort San Rideau, shrouded in mysterious and ominous legend. According to witnesses, a Russian prisoner of war, who had managed to survive eight years in the basement of the fort, was found in a buried room in 1923.

The Fortress Cycle Route can also be part of the Green Velo route, extending the bicycle holiday on the routes of eastern Poland.

Zwardoń – Rachowiec nordic walking

While national parks have a large visitor base, landscape parks are often underestimated by tourists. The area around the Żywiec Landscape Park is definitely worth visiting. Zwardoń and Rachowiec are two peaks located in southern Poland in the Małopolskie Voivodeship, about 40 km south of Bielsko-Biała. The route is about 11 km long and takes less than four hours, depending of course on the pace. The route is quite diverse: we can expect both local asphalt roads and unpaved paths through meadows. We start at 867 m above sea level in Zwardoń. After less than a quarter of an hour, we pass the former shelter. Reaching the place where the trail turns left, we go straight ahead while going to Skalanka.

From a nearby bench you can enjoy a fantastic view of the mountain passes. You can see, for example, the queen of the Beskids – Babia Góra.

The neighboring peak, Rachowiec, is our goal. At its top there is a viewpoint that rewards the hardships of a hiking trip. The views are unforgettable and worth photographing. The panorama covers mainly the peaks of the Silesian Beskids, but in good weather you can even see the distant Tatra peaks from there. Maybe it will be an inspiration for planning the next trips?

BONUS: Roller Path

With a special dedication to all those who love roller blading, Katowice in the Śląskie Voivodeship has prepared a special offer. The route is located in the south of the city, next to the Katowice-Muchowice airport. One of its greatest advantages is the lighting installed along the entire route. The surface is paved and there's a pedestrian path right next to it. Due to its location close to ponds and urban greenery, it is a unique weekend option for those who value spending time in an active manner.

Sources:

• "Dolina Baryczy", podrozebezosci.pl.
• "Forteczna Trasa Rowerowa", www.podkarpackie.travel.
• "Ze Zwardonia na Rachowiec - platforma widokowa", mynaszlaku.pl.
• "Muchowiec", traseo.pl.
• "Katowicka rolkostrada", katoobywatel.katowice.eu.