Welcome to the region between the Vistula and the Bug Rivers where you will forget about the city rush and discover the essence of life. Surrounded by pristine nature and human hospitality, you will find inspiration for your dreams and passions.

The diversity of landscapes stretching between Roztocze and Polesie combined with historic and cultural heritage will never let you get bored. Enjoy a stroll along romantic streets of Zamość Old Town, a bicycle ride in the scenic Kazimierz Landscape Park, a canoe rally and all the other attractions awaiting tourists in the Lublin Region.

 

In this article, you will find information about:

1. Terrain and Landscapes
2. Facilities for cyclists
3. History and culture 
4. Geography of the Lublin Region
5. Bicycle bases tips
6. Roads & traffic rules for cyclists
7. The best regions for cyclists in Lubelskie
8. Must-do cycling routes in the Lublin Region
9. Cycling events in Lubelskie 
10. Accommodation options for cyclists
11. Bike hire, bike shops and services in the Lublin Region
12. Maps and books for cyclists
13. Regional food
14. Interesting information about Poland
15. Best months for cyclists to visit Lubelskie
16. How to get to the Lublin Region from the UK

 

 

1. TERRAIN AND LANDSCAPES

The Lublin Region, located in eastern Poland, is characterized by a great variety of lands and landscapes - from the most dense network of picturesque loess ravines in the Kazimierz Landscape Park, through the Łęczyńsko-Włodawskie Lake District in Polesie, to the range of Roztocze hills in the southern part of the region covered with forests and a mosaic of colorful fields. The fields, meadows and forests dominating the landscape allow one to forget about the city hustle and relax in close contact with nature. For enthusiasts of bicycle climbs, we recommend the routes in the Roztocze region - it is a narrow range of hills stretching from Kraśnik to the eastern border of Poland.

 

2. FACILITIES FOR CYCLISTS

The bicycle infrastructure is well developed. The tourists can take advantage of many bike rentals in cities, national parks and other attractive tourist areas, such as Lublin, Zamość, Kazimierz Dolny, Nałęczów, Włodawa, Urszulin (Polesie National Park), Zwierzyniec (Roztocze National Park). Additionally, there is a city bike system in Lublin, Chełm and Nałęczów. In Lublin, the capital of the Lublin Region, the network of bicycle paths and lanes is approx. 180 km long and, similarly to other large cities in the voivodeship, is still developing.

There are 5 regional bicycle routes with a total length of over 1,000 kilometers running through the Lublin region:

Central Cycling Route of Roztocze: Kraśnik - Hrebenne (~ 187.6 km - Polish section)
Lublin - Wola Uhruska (~ 107 km)
Janów Podlaski - Hrubieszów (~ 256 km)
Lublin - Kazimierz Dolny (~ 67 km)
Kazimierz Dolny - Kraśnik (~ 106.5 km)

In addition, about 400 kilometers of the East of Poland Cycling Trail Green Velo runs through the Lublin Voivodeship. The regional routes are well marked. There are rest areas on the trails, equipped with wooden shelters, benches, bicycle racks, litter bins and maps of the area. In addition to the regional routes, there are many other marked local routes in the Lubelskie Voivodeship, perfect for recreational rides. Among other notable cycling trails it is worth to mention the routes in the Janowskie Forests or the Łuków Region Trail. Cyclists can take advantage of the rich offer of hotels and other accommodation facilities of various categories. An interesting option is the selection of agrotourism farms, where, apart from resting, one can also try local cuisine. There are around 170 Cyclist-Friendly Places in the Region, with special amenities dedicated to those traveling by bike.

Cyclists will soon be able to use the approx. 130-kilometer long section of the Vistula Cycling Route in the Lubelskie Voivodeship. The trail will run close to the river and will make use of the existing flood embankments. It will be part of an over 1000-kilometer route leading from the source of the river under Barania Góra to its mouth in the Bay of Gdańsk.

 

 

3. HISTORY AND CULTURE

Lubelskie is a region that, historically speaking, used to be inhabited by various cultures. Their traces are present in the well-preserved architecture. Only here, over a distance of just a several dozen kilometers, one can find Catholic, Orthodox and Neo-Uniate churches, Tatar and Jewish cemeteries. In Włodawa, a small, border town, up to this day there is a synagogue, an Orthodox church and a Catholic church next to each other. The quintessence of combining the traditions of the East and the West is the Holy Trinity Chapel in Lublin with Ruthenian-Byzantine frescoes from the first half of the 15th century.

There is always something going on here. The cyclical festivals emphasize the atmosphere of openness, respect for culture and the need to share a modern approach to tradition. Night of Culture, Different Sounds Art'n'Music Festival, Carnaval Sztukmistrzów, Re: Tradycja, European Festival of Taste in Lublin, Hetman's Fair in Zamość, "Two Riversides" Film and Art Festival in Kazimierz Dolny and Janowiec nad Wisłą, and Summer Film Academy in Zwierzyniec are just some of the events worth recommending.

 

4. GEOGRAPHY OF THE LUBLIN REGION

The Lublin Voivodeship is situated in the eastern part of Poland, between the Vistula River and the Bug River, which is the eastern border of the European Union. The distance from Lublin to Warsaw is 170 kilometers.

In the southern part of the region there is Roztocze - an uplifted embankment of hills, 12–32 km wide and about 190 km long, running from the northwest, from Kraśnik, southeast to Lviv. The highest hill in Roztocze and the entire Lublin Voivodeship is Wielki Dział (390.4 m above sea level). The denivelations increase from approx. 90 m to the north-west. up to approx. 170 m in the south-east.

Another attractive area for cyclists is the Janowskie Forests adjacent to Roztocze from the west, situated on the Biłgoraj Plain and characterized by lower relative heights.

The Lublin Upland borders Roztocze from the north. It is in this area that Lublin, the capital of the voivodeship, is located together with other important cities of the region, such as: Kazimierz Dolny, Puławy and Zamość. The largest denivelations, even up to 100 meters, occur near the Vistula valley. It is there, in the vicinity of Kazimierz Dolny, where the densest network of loess ravines in Europe can be found.

Polesie, covering the north-eastern part of the region, is a plain area with slight differences in relative height, including, among others, the area of the Łęczyńsko-Włodawskie Lakeland, attractive for tourists. The most valuable natural areas of West Polesie are under protection by creating the Poleski National Park.

An interesting and diverse area is the Southern Podlasie Lowland in the northern and north-western part of the voivodeship. The terrain in the northern part is slightly undulating - this is where the watershed section of the Bug river and the city of Biała Podlaska are located The southern part is flat.

 

5. BICYCLE BASES TIPS

Due to the location, accommodation and tourist attractions, ideal places for bicycle bases are, among others:

Tomaszów Lubelski, Zwierzyniec, Józefów - perfect places for cyclists who want to explore the picturesque areas of Roztocze.

Lublin - the capital of the voivodeship, situated in its central part. Interesting regional routes start here, leading to Kazimierz Dolny (70 km) and Wola Uhruska (110 km).

Kazimierz Dolny - a small, climatic town picturesquely situated on the Vistula River. It is the focal point of the Land of Loess Ravines, one of the most attractive tourist areas in the voivodeship and the whole country.

Włodawa - known as the "City of Three Cultures", is an excellent accommodation base for exploring many interesting places located in Polesie and along the border river Bug.

Janów Lubelski - is a city located in the heart of the Janów Forests, which are part of the Solska Primeval Forest - one of the largest compact forest complexes in Poland.

Other places worth recommending as a base for cyclistsinclude: Chełm, Biała Podlaska and Janów Podlaski.

 

6. ROADS & TRAFFIC RULES FOR CYCLISTS

Cycling in the Lubelskie Voivodeship is very popular and the interest in this form of active tourism is constantly growing. In the result there is constant development of bicycle infrastructure and the regulation of road traffic regulations, which increases the safety of cyclists. The driving culture of car drivers in relation to cyclists is satisfactory. More and more accommodation facilities are adapting their functions to the needs of tourists with bicycles.

Most of the regional bicycle routes run along asphalt roads with little traffic and good or very good surface. Some sections lead along unpaved field and forest roads, which are easy and safe to ride on, and provide a lot of visual experience. When planning a bike trip, it is best to choose commune and poviat roads, which are characterized by little traffic, usually in good condition of the surface, and lead through interesting landscape areas. Cyclists can not use the expressways. When using other national or provincial roads, one must take into account the increased traffic density and maintain caution.

Road traffic rules, including the rights and obligations of cyclists, are regulated by the Road Traffic Law and the Regulation of the Ministry of Transport, Construction and Maritime Economy. Some of the rules specify:
- An adult only needs an ID card.
- Cycling is forbidden only on expressways and motorways.
- If there is a bicycle lane along the right side of the road, the driver of the bicycle is obliged to use the lane, not the public road.
- A cyclist is obliged to ride as close as possible to the right edge of the road.
- A cyclist cannot ride a bicycle through a pedestrian crossing, unless there is a separately marked cycle path.

A bicycle participating in road traffic must be equipped with:
- Front lamps - at least one position lamp of a white or selective yellow color.
- Rear lamps - at least one red reflex reflector, but with a shape other than a triangle, and at least one red position lamp.
- The lights must be used from dusk till dawn.
- At least one working brake.
- A bell or other warning signal with non-piercing sound.
- It is not necessary to wear a helmet in Poland, but it is much safer for a cyclist to use it.
- There are no regulations on using reflective vests, but after dark, when driving on a poorly lit road, a reflective vest significantly increases visibility and safety.

 

7. THE BEST REGIONS FOR CYCLISTS IN LUBELSKIE

Due to the landscape diversity, the entire Lublin Voivodeship is interesting for cyclists. The most interesting directions are:

Roztocze - is a picturesque land stretching along a narrow range of hills from Kraśnik to Lviv. It is characterized by dense forests, sparse buildings, silence, and a climate unique in the country. It is the sunniest area in Poland, where the concentration of iodine is comparable to that on the coast. The most valuable forest areas have been protected as part of the Roztocze National Park - the most forested among Polish parks. Numerous landscape parks and nature reserves have also been created here. Due to its unique natural, cultural and historical values, in 2019 the Roztocze Cross-Border Biosphere Reserve was included on the elite UNESCO List of the UNESCO Biosphere Reserve Network. It is an ideal destination for enthusiasts of active tourism. The Central Cycling Trail of Roztocze awaits cyclists. The Polish part of the trail is 190 kilometers long and it is marked in red. The surface of the route is mostly asphalt, and a small part runs through dirt areas.

Janów Forests - adjacent to Roztocze from the west are one of the most extensive forest complexes in Poland, especially appreciated for the opportunity to experience the closeness of nature away from the civilization hustle. This area is eagerly chosen by cyclists, who have at their disposal numerous hardened forest roads and a network of approximately 300 kilometers of marked bicycle routes. The area is devoid of significant height differences, so cycling does not require much effort.

Polesie and the Bug River Valley - cyclists wishing to learn about wild nature and the multicultural history of the Polish borderland should choose to the East of Poland Cycling Trail Green Velo. The Lublin section of the route is approximately 400 kilometers long and runs through Polesie and along the border river Bug, among others. The area does not have any major height differences. The surface of the trail is mainly asphalt, only a small part of it are forest and field roads, which are an interesting diversion for the trip. It is worth to deviate a bit from the trail to visit the Poleski National Park. The park can be explored by bike along the marked "Mietiułka" route, about 20 kilometers long. 

The Land of Loess Gorges - One of the regional routes leads from Lublin to Kazimierz Dolny (approx. 70 kilometers). The route runs through the landscape of the Nałęczów Plateau, which is diversified in terms of landscape. The ride comes with a prize in the form of beautiful views of the Lesser Poland Vistula Gorge. Most of the route runs along asphalt roads, and only a few short sections are field or forest roads. The trail begins at an altitude of 210 meters above sea level and ends at a height of 135 m above sea level. A bicycle journey along the Vistula River valley can be continued along a different regional route from Kazimierz Dolny to Kraśnik (approximately 103 kilometers). Areas of particular value in terms of nature have been protected by creating the Kazimierski and Wrzelowiecki Landscape Park. Technically, the route is of medium difficulty and runs mostly on asphalt roads. The lowest point of the route is located 124 m above sea level and the highest is 252 m above sea level.

 

8. MUST-DO CYCLING ROUTES IN THE LUBLIN REGION

The East of Poland Cycling Trail Green Velo - nearly 2,000 km long, is the longest cycling route in Poland. It runs through the area of ​​five voivodeships in the eastern part of the country: Warmińsko-Mazurskie, Podlaskie, Lubelskie, Podkarpackie and Świętokrzyskie. The Lublin part of the trail is about 400 kilometers long and leads, among others, along the eastern border of the country, through the picturesque areas of the Bug River Valley with sanctuaries of various denominations: in Pratulin, Kostomłoty, Kodeń and Jabłeczna; multicultural cities: Chełm, Szczebrzeszyn and Włodawa; and the Roztocze National Park. In 2019, Roztocze was included on the UNESCO List of Cross-Border Biosphere Reserves. One of the distinguishing features of the East of Poland Cycling Trail Green Velo is the recreational infrastructure along the entire route. Such places were called MORs, i.e. Cyclist Service Centers (Miejsca Obsługi Rowerzystów). They are located every 8-10 kilometers, usually near tourist attractions and interesting places. All MORs are uniformly marked and equipped with shelters, benches, bicycle stands, information boards and litter bins, and some also with portable toilets. MORs allow one to rest, shelter from rain and obtain information about attractions in the vicinity. The trail is very well marked.

Total distance: approx. 400 km (in the Lubelskie Voivodeship)
Denivelations: the highest point 350 m above sea level / the lowest point 220 m above sea level (in the Lubelskie Voivodeship)

Website: www.greenvelo.pl/en
Map: https://greenvelo.pl/en/map
GPX: https://greenvelo.pl/en/detal/1-greenvelo-green-velo

The Central Cycling Trail of Roztocze - Roztocze is a picturesque land stretching along a narrow range of hills from Kraśnik to Lviv. It is characterized by dense forests, sparse buildings, silence, and a climate unique in the country. It is the sunniest area in Poland. The most valuable forest areas have been protected as part of the Roztocze National Park - the most forested among Polish parks. Numerous landscape parks and nature reserves have also been created here. Due to the unique natural, cultural and historical values, in 2019 the Roztocze Cross-Border Biosphere Reserve was included on the elite UNESCO List of the UNESCO Biosphere Reserve Network. It is an ideal destination for enthusiasts of active tourism. The Central Cycling Trail of Roztocze, leading from Kraśnik to the Polish border in Hrebenne, awaits cyclists. The length of the Polish part of the trail is 190 kilometers and it is marked in red. It runs mostly on asphalt roads, although there are also short stretches with unpaved surfaces. The lowest point on the trail is at an altitude of approx. 210 m above sea level (around Radecznica), and the highest in the Polish part is approx. 335 m above sea level, in the vicinity of Podlesin.

Total distance: approx. 190 km (in the Lubelskie Voivodeship)
Denivelations: the highest point is 335 m above sea level / the lowest point 210 m above sea level (in the Lubelskie Voivodeship)

Website: www.roweloveroztocze.pl/en
Map: https://roweloveroztocze.pl/en/main/#maps

 

9. CYCLING EVENTS IN LUBELSKIE

One of the largest bicycle events in Poland takes place in the Lubelskie Voivodeship - the Bicycle Festival in Lubartów (June). There are more and more interesting events appearing, such as the Bicycle Tourism Week "Bik'owe Roztocze" (August), the Star Bicycle Rally to the Polak Hill or the National Bicycle Rally Jastrzębia Zdebrz (September). Every last Friday of the month, Lublin holds the Lublin Critical Mass - a joint bicycle ride through the city streets, aimed at drawing attention to the needs of the cyclists.

Events such as the International MTB Borderland Cycling Marathon in the Chełm Commune (July), the Lublin Bicycle Marathon (May) or the Lublin Voivodeship Road Cycling Championships await the fans of cycling competitions

The offer for cyclists also includes something for those who prefer an individual approach to sightseeing - Lublin Bike Tours is an offer of guided tours of Lublin from the perspective of two wheels. The tours are available in Polish and English.

 

10. ACCOMMODATION OPTIONS FOR CYCLISTS

In the Lubelskie Voivodeship, there is a consistent system of recommendations for accommodation facilities called "Cyclist-Friendly Place" (Miejsce Przyjazne Rowerzystom, or MPR for short), which are adapted to the needs of people who practice cycling.

Due to the constant increase in interest in cycling tourism and the development of infrastructure, more and more accommodation facilities willingly accommodate cyclists, provide the possibility of one-person stay, early check-out, safe and free storage of bicycles, provide tools for basic repairs, provide oral and printed information on trails in the area and even prepares a proper breakfast.

Such facilities include, among others Hotel Zamek Janów Podlaski, Hotel Dwór Droblin, Hotel Duet in Chełm, Siedlisko Sobibór, Hotel Duo Spa in Janów Lubelski, Hotel Antoni in Tomaszów Lubelski, Hotel Renesans in Zamość, and Agrotourism Polana and Brzozowy Dworek in Lipowiec.

A good idea for a cyclist will be to take advantage of the offer of numerous agrotourism farms in the Lubelskie Voivodeship, which, apart from rest in peace and quiet, also offer regional cuisine.

 

11. BIKE HIRE, BIKE SHOPS AND SERVICES IN THE LUBLIN REGION

Nothing can replace one's own bicycle during the trip, but in the Lublin Voivodeship, the tourists can also use many bicycle rentals in cities, national parks and other attractive tourist areas: Lublin, Zamość, Kazimierz Dolny, Nałęczów, Włodawa, Urszulin (Polesie National Park), Zwierzyniec (Roztocze National Park). Additionally, there is a city bike system in Lublin, Nałęczów and Chełm.

Lublin:

Lublin Tourist and Cultural Information Centre
ul. Krakowskie Przedmieście 6, 20-002 Lublin
phone: +48 81 532 44 12
info@loitik.eu
www.lublintravel.pl

Słoneczny Wrotków
ul. Osmolicka 1, 20-518 Lublin
phone. +48 81 446 51 70
www.mosir.lublin.pl

Lublin City Bike System
phone. +48 81 464 66 00
www.lubelskirower.pl

AleRower (electric cargo bikes)
tel. +48 887 747 501
alerower.pl/wypozyczalnia/

Zamość and Roztocze:

Zamość Tourist and Historic Information Office
Rynek Wielki 13 (ratusz), 22-400 Zamość
phone: +48 84 639 22 92
www.zci.zamosc.pl

Bagienne Bractwo Obserwatorów Terenowych
(rental of pendzoks – 4 wheeled 4 person bikes)
ul. Sukiennicza 13, 23-300 Janów Lubelski
phone: +48 502 316 616
www.obserwatorzy.pl

Józefów Bike Rental
ul. Kościuszki 54a, 23-460 Józefów
phone: +48 502 479 755, +48 506 553 994
jozefowska.wypozyczalnia@gmail.com

Zwierzyniec Brewery Bike Rental
ul. Browarna 7, 22-470 Zwierzyniec
phone: +48 502 221 763
wypozyczalnia@roweryzwierzyniec.pl
www.roweryzwierzyniec.pl

The Land of Loess Ravines:

Marina Puławy
ul. Portowa 3, 24-100 Puławy
phone: +48 797 399 260
biuro@marina-pulawy.pl
www.marina-pulawy.pl

Polesie:

Polesie National Park
ul. Lubelska 3a, 22-234 Urszulin
phone: +48 82 562 23 88
www.poleskipn.pl

City Centre for Sport and Recreation in Włodawa
ul. Szkolna 4, 22-200 Włodawa
phone: +48 82 572 25 84, +48 82 572 12 59
www.mosir.wlodawa.eu

Tourist Information Centre in Włodawa
ul. Partyzantów 25, 22- 200 Włodawa
phone: +48 82 571 70 73
it.wlodawa@gmail.com

Bike shops and services are widely available in all tourist areas and cities of the region, such as Lublin, Zamość, Chełm, Puławy, Biała Podlaska, Włodawa, Lubartów, Janów Lubelski and others.

 

12. MAPS AND BOOKS FOR CYCLISTS

There are many good publications on cycling tourism. Good bicycle maps of the Lublin Voivodeship are available at the Lublin Tourist and Cultural Information Centre (ul. Krakowskie Przedmieście 6, 20-002 Lublin, tel. +48 81 532 44 12, e-mail: info@loitik.eu)

 

13. REGIONAL FOOD

The list of traditional dishes of the Lublin Voivodeship is very long and… tasty. Here are some of the must-try dishes when visiting the region:

- Lublin cebularz
- Biłgoraj pirog (made of buckwheat or millet)
- Lublin forszmak
- Lublin mead and honey
- Lublin dumplings or dumplings with fresh fruit

The chain of general stores is very well developed, evenly distributed in all parts of the region. The assortment of food is wide, as in other European countries. Please note that most Sundays in Poland are trade-free and stores may be closed. This does not apply to dining establishments.

 

14. INTERESTING INFORMATION ABOUT POLAND

Poland ranks 8th in Europe in terms of population (38.5 million) and 9th in terms of area (312.7 sq km). The Baltic Sea is in the north of the country, and the mountains in the south. The capital of Poland is Warsaw, which was moved there from Krakow at the end of the 16th century.

The largest city in the eastern part of the country is Lublin, with almost 340,000 inhabitants. It was in this city that the famous Polish-Lithuanian union was concluded in 1569.

Among the most famous Poles, one can mention the figures such as Fryderyk Chopin, Maria Curie-Skłodowska, Mikołaj Kopernik and John Paul II.

The essence of the famous Polish hospitality can be found in eastern Poland. The inhabitants of the Lublin Voivodeship are famous for their proverbial openness and disinterestedness. More and more people speak English, which has a positive effect on communication.

In large cities and tourist parts of the region, it is easy to communicate in English. When traveling throughout less popular parts of the region, especially through small villages, it is worth to know a few words and phrases, such as:

Good morning – dzień dobry
Goodbye – do widzenia
Thank you - dziękuję
Please - proszę
Excuse me - przepraszam
Water - woda
Food - jedzenie
Train - pociąg
Bus - autobus
Car - samochód
Train station – stacja PKP
Bike - rower
Bike service – serwis rowerowy
Hotel - hotel
Restaurant - restauracja
I would like some water / food – Poproszę wodę / jedzenie
How do I get to…? - Jak dojadę do…?
Excuse me, can you help me? – Przepraszam, czy możesz mi pomóc?

 

15. BEST MONTHS FOR CYCLISTS TO VISIT LUBELSKIE

The best months for cyclists in the Lubelskie Voivodeship are April, May, June, July, August and September, i.e. the spring and summer season. The warmest month of the year is July - the average temperature is around 21 degrees. It is also worth considering a bicycle trip in October or November, due to the beautiful autumn landscapes - the period of sunny and warm weather during the high-pressure system is referred to as the Golden Polish Autumn.

Due to the region's location and size, there are no major differences in weather characteristics between its different parts. An interesting fact is that Roztocze, located in the southern part of the Lublin Voivodeship, is the sunniest area in the country.

 

16. HOW TO GET TO THE LUBLIN REGION FROM THE UK

There is an airport in Lublin with regular connections to London-Luton (WizzAir, Ryanair), Doncaster-Sheffield (WizzAir), and Dublin (Ryanair). The flight time from London and Doncaster to Lublin is 2.5 hours, from Dublin - 3 hours.

Lublin Airport is located merely 15 km from the city center. To get there, one can use public transport (bus number 5) or take a taxi. Detailed information on how to get there can be found at:

City bus: www.airport.lublin.pl/jak-trafic/mpk
Train: www.airport.lublin.pl/jak-trafic/pociag
Taxi: www.airport.lublin.pl/jak-trafic/taxi

Lublin Airport
ul. Króla Jana III Sobieskiego 1
21-040 Świdnik
tel. +48 81 458 14 44

The flight schedule and all the necessary information can be found on the website:
www.airport.lublin.pl/en

In Warsaw, 170 kilometers from Lublin, there are two airports: Frederic Chopin airport and the airport in Modlin, with many connections to Great Britain. Thanks to the S17 express route, the distance from Warsaw to Lublin can be covered by car in about 2 hours. There is also a possibility of using direct flights between these cities.

There are numerous train connections between both Lublin and Warsaw and other cities in Europe. https://rozklad-pkp.pl/en

A car with the possibility of transporting bicycles can be helpful in planning interesting trips, but it is not necessary. There are many places in the region where both a car and bike racks can be rented. The best solution for transporting the bicycles, is to make use of railway connections. The timetable is available at: https://rozklad-pkp.pl/en

 

 

*Lublin Regional Tourist Organization is an organisation dealing with the promotion of the tourist and cultural offer of the Lubelskie Voivodeship in the country and abroad, drawing its strength from the cooperation of local governments, non-governmental organizations, the tourism industry, and a professional approach to tourism. The association organizes cyclical bicycle rallies attracting cyclists from all over Poland.

Find us here: