Roztocze is a picturesque land stretched from Polish Kraśnik to Ukrainian Lviv along a narrow range of hills. It is characterized by dense forests, sparse buildings, silence and a climate unique for the whole country. It is the sunniest area in Poland, where the iodine concentration 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 the unique natural, cultural, and historical values, in 2019 the Roztocze Cross-Border Biosphere Reserve was included on the elite list of the UNESCO's World Network of Biosphere Reserves. It is also a perfect destination for the enthusiasts of active tourism. The Central Cycling Route of Roztocze awaits the cyclists. The length of the Polish part of the trail is 190 kilometers and the route is marked in red. The surface of the route is mostly asphalt, and a small part runs through dirt paths.

 

Kraśnik – Zwierzyniec (length 100 km)

Route: Kraśnik PKP (0 km) – Stróża (4,4 km) – Szastarka (12 km) – Batorz (28,5 km) – Chrzanów (44 km) – Goraj (51,7 km) – Hosznia Ordynacka (61 km) – Radecznica (72 km) – Szczebrzeszyn (87,5 km) – Topólcza (95 km) – Zwierzyniec (100 km)

The first stage leads through the area of Western Roztocze and allows to admire the undulating landscapes of farmlands, forests, and river valleys. Along the route there are places such as Kraśnik, Radecznica, Szczebrzeszyn Landscape Park, and Szczebrzeszyn.

Kraśnik - a town originating from the middle ages, where the historic urban layout of the market square has been preserved. While in Kraśnik, it is also worth going to the recreational reservoir. The most valuable monuments include: a Gothic-Renaissance church from the 15th-17th centuries with the Tęczyński family Renaissance tombstones, a hospital church from the 17th century, and a complex of two synagogues from the 17th and 19th centuries.

Radecznica - a village on the border of Roztocze and the Lublin Upland, known for the sanctuary of St. Anthony. On a lofty hill known as the Łysa Góra, there is a baroque church and monastery of the Bernardine Order. At the foot of the hill there is a water spring, with a st. Anthony's wooden chapel of next to it.

Szczebrzeszyn - in Szczebrzeszyn a beetle... does not buzz in the reed, as a popular Polish poem suggests, but stands in the middle of the Market Square and willingly poses for photos. In this charming town, there are traces of the centuries-old co-existence of Poles, Ruthenians, and Jews: a Jewish cemetery and a synagogue (now a community center), an Orthodox Church of the Dormition of the Holy Mother of God with 18th-century wall paintings, and the churches of St. Nicholas and St. Catherine, presentng the features of the Lublin Renaissance.

 

Zwierzyniec – Hrebenne (length 90 km)

Route: Zwierzyniec (0 km) – Sochy (4 km)– Górecko Stare (14,5 km) – Józefów (22 km) – Hamernia (28,5 km) – Majdan Sopocki (33 km) – Susiec (36,5 km) – Łosiniec (47 km) – Bełżec (57,7 km) – Lubycza Królewska (67,7 km) – Potoki (74,5 km) – Siedliska (86,5 km) – Hrebenne (90 km)

The section of the trail runs through the Eastern and Central Roztocze. The most valuable parts of Roztocze fir and beech forests are protected by the Roztocze National Park. Noteworthy are the nature reserves: "Czartowe Pole" and "Nad Tanwią", and towns such as: Zwierzyniec, Górecko Kościelne, Józefów, Majdan Sopocki, Susiec, Bełżec, Lubycza Królewska, Siedliska, and Hrebenne.

Zwierzyniec - a small, atmospheric town attracts attention with a picturesquely situated baroque church of st. John of Nepomuk. The complex of the Zamoyski Estate management buildings and the Plenipotent's Palace have also been preserved in the village. While walking, it is worth stopping by the 19th-century brewery. The facility is open to visitors and cultivates brewing traditions. It is good to reserve a bit more time for the Educational and Museum Center, located at the gates of the Park. An interesting exhibition, museum narrative, temporary exhibitions, and educational elements of the development of the space around the facility will provide an interesting introduction to discovering the natural treasures of the Lublin region.

Roztocze National Park - the area of the Park includes the most valuable areas of Roztocze - a range of hills covered with valuable fir and beech forests. It is best to start exploring it with a visit to the Educational and Museum Center in Zwierzyniec, where a tourist information point and a nature exhibition are located, and where numerous educational paths begin.

Echo Ponds - a perfect place for sunbathers and those who like to rest surrounded by water, forest, and beautiful landscape. Thanks to the viewing platforms, the tourists can observe a semi-wild herd of Polish koniks, descendants of Tarpan. It is also worth visiting the Forest Chamber and the Polish Konik Breeding Center in Florianka. The observation tower on the nearby Biała Góra mountain is a place with a stunning panorama of the Roztocze forests and hills.

Górecko Kościelne - the most valuable monument of the village situated among the forests of the Solska Primeval Forest is the larch church from 1768 standing in the center of the village, erected in memory of the revelation of St. Stanislaus. Nearby, on the Szum River, there is a wooden 19th-century "on the water" chapel, also dedicated to this saint. A beautiful oak alley leads from the church - the oldest tree there is about 500 years old.

Józefów - a town on the Niepryszka river is the bicycle capital of Roztocze - almost 100 km of roads and bicycle routes run through the commune. The most important monuments of Józefów include the church and synagogue from the second half of the 19th century and the Jewish cemetery on the outskirts of the city. An unquestionable attraction is the vast quarry with a lookout tower - a place that will delight not only geology enthusiasts. In Józefów there is also a picturesque recreational reservoir with a sandy beach and a bathing area.

Susiec - the natural peculiarities of this area are protected in the reserves, the most famous of which are: "Czartowe Pole" - covering the gorge of the Sopot River with the ruins of the 18th-century paper mill, "Nad Tanwią" - protecting the gorge of the Tanew River with picturesque small waterfalls called noise , and "Szum" with the watershed section of the Szum River. There are marked nature and educational paths leading through the reserves.

Bełżec - the history of the village dates back to the 16th century and up until today one can admire the preserved buildings that are witnesses of the past. Among the most noteworthy landmarks are: the wooden Greek Catholic church of St. Basil from 1756 or numerous chapels - wooden and also brick. In 1942, there was a German extermination camp here - the place of death of about 450,000 people. Currently, the Museum and Memorial Site functions here.

Siedliska - Already in the 15th century a famous Polish historian and chronicler Jan Długosz wrote that "Poland has two wonderful and admirable things". One of them was fossilized trees in the vicinity of the village of Hrebenne, which are a unique natural peculiarity of Siedliska and its vicinity. One can get to know them by visiting the Museum of Fossilized Trees or by walking along the two-kilometer educational path "The Trail of Fossilized Trees".

Hrebenne - a town known for its large road and railway border crossing with Ukraine, from where leads the shortest way to Lviv. On the hill there is a valuable complex of the Greek Catholic church of St. Nicholas from 1685, with preserved polychromes and iconostasis, as well as a wooden bell tower and a brick gate from the turn of 18th and 19th centuries.

 

More information on the Central Cycling Route of Roztocze can be found on roweloveroztocze.pl

Mobile app for the Central Cycling Route of Roztocze can be found at: www.rpn.treespot.pl