Poland

Transcription

Poland

www.poland.travel
Poland
Highlights
of active tourism
Polish Tourist Organisation
ul. Chałubińskiego 8, 00-613 Warszawa
tel. +(48-22) 536 70 70, fax +(48-22) 536 70 04
e-mail: [email protected],
www.pot.gov.pl
Let’s go!
Adventure
in Poland
– an exhilarating
idea
Feel Nature with all your senses
In the mountains, by the sea, alongside lakes and in
ancient forests, in the primeval forested lands of national
parks, on the banks of mountain rivers, through flowering
meadows with distant ribbons of winding rivers – an
encounter with the purest forms of Nature.
An adventure with a happy-ending
Fascinating and mysterious. Under the skies, underwater,
underground or off-road. On foot, on horseback, by bike
and by jeep, on skis, parachuting, paragliding or in a glider,
in a kayak or ATV – challenging the elements: Water Air,
and Snow.
Adventures to delight in
And after the difficulties of some of these exploits are
surmounted it’s time to sit at a table. Polish cuisine is pure
temptation with its wonderful aromas and delicious dishes.
And it’s so tasty.
Welcome to Poland – the land of adventure… with a smile.
Polish Tourist Organisation
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Contents
Overland and underground .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . .
let’s go walking in the mountains. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
walking by water. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
from green to green.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
dashing through the snow.... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10
extreme downhill on extreme slopes. . . . . . . . . . . .12
to the peaks and higher . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14
Underground.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
in a royal cave… with a bear . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16
salt and gold mines. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
labyrinths underneath cities. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
towns in fortresses. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .19
Cycling around Poland. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . take it to the limit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .20
on a sea made of sand . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
it gets more difficult on flat ground. . . . . . . . . . . . .22
Off-road . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . off-road and on stony ground. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
On horseback . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Polish people love horses. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
by lakes and through forests. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .27
On and underwater. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . gentle rivers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .28
mountain rivers and wild rivers. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .29
Adventure in the wind .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
under sails made of clouds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
mountain sailing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .32
on a board with the wind. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33
sailing with a kite . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .34
sailing on ice. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .35
Underwater . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . let’s go down to the bottom of the sea. . . . . . . . . . .36
A bird’s eye view & a pilot’s perspective. . . . . 2
lighter than air . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .38
falling in tandem. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .39
3
2
3. Sudety
Chochołowska Valley
(10 km long, elevation 920 m)
1
4
3
Beautiful all-year-round and very popular with enthusiasts of scenic hikes. Here the high-mountain trails leading to the peaks begin: Rakoń (1879 m), Wołowiec (2064 m) or Jarząbczy Wierch
(2137 m) with their panoramic views across the Polish and Slovakian Tatras.
• www.chocholowska.zakopane.pl
• www.dolina-chocholowska.witow.pl
• www.zakopane-online.eu/78,A_Walking_Tour_of_the_
Chocholow.htm
1. Kościeliska Valley
2. Chochołowska Valley
3. Pięciu Stawów Valley
4. Orla Perć
5. Tatra Mountains
The south of Poland, from the western
to the eastern borders, is the land of the
beautiful and mysterious Sudetes Mountains
and gently impetuous foothills, the Beskids.
The pride of Poland are the high peaks
of the Tatra Mountains (a part of the Carpathian
Mountain range) crowned with the Rysy
summit at 2499 m. Mountain trails lead through
valleys, their slopes covered with trees, or cut
through the rocks to flowering mountain
clearings under towering peaks.
Five Lake’s Valley
...LET’S GO WALKING IN THE MOUNTAINS
Overland and underground
(4 km long, elevation over 1 600 m)
The valley surrounded by granite peaks with its crystal clear
mountain lakes glittering in the valley floor is best seen from
above. One of the lakes – Wielki Staw – is the deepest in the
Tatra Mountains (79 m). A stream flows out of it forming beautiful
waterfalls: Siklawa and Wodogrzmoty Mickiewicza. A hike to the
highest peak of the Tatras – Rysy (2499 m) – can start in Five
Lake’s Valley.
• www.piecstawow.pl
• www.man.pl/~lowell/dolina_5_stawow.php
The Tatra Mountains
Mountain gardens
There are over 300 km of well marked hiking trails of different difficulty levels in the region: for strolling, scenic and high-mountain
hikes. Some trails reach an altitude of 2300 m. They all cross the
Tatra Mountains National Park, a mountain garden ‘designed’ by
the genius of Nature.
• www.tpn.pl
• www.tatry.org/pl
• www.tatry.info.pl
• www.tatry.pl
• www.e-tatry.com
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5. Bieszczady
1. European Walking Route E3
2. Śnieżka
3. Sudety
The Sudetes Mountains
4. The Śnieżnika massif
beautiful and mysterious
5. Bieszczady
The Sudetes are covered by a net of picturesque trails. Some
reach the highest cloudy peak of the Karkonosze range - Śnieżka
(1 603 m), others thread through the Table Mountains. The Mountain Ghost, from Sudetian legends, can be encountered in the
rocky labyrinths. When walking the trails in the Sudetes it is worth
keeping an eye out for semi-precious stones which are abundant
in these ancient mountains, or mufflons brought here from Corsica in the 19th century. The European Walking Route (E 3) crosses
the Sudetes. It is several thousand kilometers long: from the
coasts of the Atlantic to the Black Sea in the Ukraine. Other challenges are posed for hikers by the Orłowicz Main Sudetes Trail
which, over a distance of 350 km, leads from Świeradów to Paczków through some of the most beautiful mountain scenery in the
Sudetes Mountains, with intriguing, mysterious names: Raven
Mountains, Owl, Table, Eagle and Golden.
• www.panorama-miast.com.pl/41/html/bystrzyca.htm
• www.karkonosze.pl/sniezka/sniezka.php
• www.sudety.it/index/turystyka/szlaki/ID,7
• www.sniezka.karpacz.pl • www.stolowe.yoyo.pl
• www.sudety.it/index/turystyka/szlaki/ID,1
• www.sudety.it/index/gory/regiony/ID,10
Bieszczady
the mountains of burning beech trees
The Bieszczady Mountains are difficult to pronounce for nonPolish speakers. But it is worth memorizing the name and visiting
this region.This is a small region of Poland but with many attractions: bald peaks called połoniny, trails through the backwoods of
the Carpathian Forest where traces of human activity merge with
those of wolves and bears, then down to hospitable villages of
wooden huts in the valleys with their Christian and Orthodox
churches. Here at daybreak you can take a horse down a mountain trail, then at noon sail on the Solina Lake and in the afternoon
you can walk to Caryńska Połonina and watch the sun set. In the
evening you can listen to songs and poetry by a camp fire and
have fresh trout for dinner. There are 120 km of marked trails and
nature routes in the Bieszczady Mountains. The ‘border’ trail between Poland, Slovakia and Ukraine is very beautiful and it takes
30 hours to cover the 68 km. The lowest peak on the trail is Wysoki Groń (905 m) and the highest Wielka Rawka (1304 m).
• www.polandforall.com/bieszczady.html
• www.bieszczady.net.pl
the mountain of the three seas
The Śnieżnika massif (1425 m) consists of several mountains.
The flat crests with hewn out arduous slopes form viewing platforms from where you can marvel at this magical landscape. This
region was discovered over 100 years ago by the Dutch princess,
Marianne. Streams flowing into great European rivers: Oder, Elba
and Danube and with them reaching the three seas, Baltic, Black
and North Sea, have their sources here.
• www.sudety.it/index/gory/regiony/ID,6
Orla Perć
(vie ferrate)
The most difficult mountain trail in the
Tatras, about 5 km long. It was laid
out in 1903 by the priest, Walenty
Gadowski. Here he built one of Europe’s first vie ferrate – an iron road
– a mountain trail secured with chain
hand rails and ladders. To take on
this trail requires experience, almost
acrobatic skills and courage. The
name, ‘Orla Perć’, comes from the
eagles’ nests accessible only to eagles.
• www.orlaperc.za.pl
• www.gory-szlaki.pl/orla_perc.htm
• www.tatry.turystyka-gorska.pl/
orla_perc.htm
• www.tatromaniak.fr.pl
Kościeliska Valley
(9 km long, elevation 1050 m)
Considered the most beautiful valley in the Tatra Mountains.
Sharp peaks rise to the skies with the highest - Błyszcz (2 159 m).
The slopes of Kościeliska Valley contain concealed entrances to
the Mroźna and Mylna caves with their wonderful rocky ‘sculptures and architecture’.
• www.gory-szlaki.pl/dolina_koscieliska.htm
• www.tatry.turystyka-gorska.pl/koscieliska.htm
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Burning beech trees
& blazing mountains
In the Bieszczady Mountains Nature’s show starts at the end of
September. The beech trees growing on the mountain slopes are
transformed into browns, reds and yellows and the mountains
become a blaze of colours. The forest vistas are unforgettable;
they quiver in the crystal clear air. Once seen you will drawn back
over and over again.
• www.twojebieszczady.pl
5
...LET’S GO WALKING IN THE MOUNTAINS
5. Tatry
2
4
3. Morze Bałtyckie
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1
3
Many walking routes have been created
in National Parks and along them you can
observe Nature as if through a microscope.
In Wigry National Park it’s enough to lift
a tuft of grass, stop on the shores of a quiet
backwater, listen to the song of the birds
at dawn or the croak of frogs in the distance.
1. Słowiński National Park
2. Baltic Sea
3
2
1. Wigierski National Park
2. Drawa National Park
3. International Coast Trail E9
3. Biebrza National Park
Wandering sands
The Polish section of the International Coast Trail (E9) passes along
the shores of the sea – from Świnoujście to Braniewo. This route
joins other equally beautiful coastal trails in the area of Gdańsk, the
Kashubia Lake District and Tuchola Forest where over 2500 km of
walking and cycling routes have been marked out. One of them is
the Copernicus Trail from Gardeja, through Kwidzyn to Malbork
and Elblag.
• www.pomorskie.pttk.pl
• www.it-pomorze.pl
• www.it-pomorze.pl/index.php?option=com_content&task
=view&id=73
National Parks, walking
Wigierski National Park
There is a well organized 190-km grid of footpaths, biking and water
trails and 5 educational routes in the Park. Most of them wind around
the Wigry Lake situated in the center of the park and are also connected with many other lakes. Some of them are real wonders of
nature: forest lakes called ‘suchary’ with brown waters rich in minerals. You can walk through the park all year round, from dawn to dusk.
• www.wigry.win.pl
• www.staff.amu.edu.pl/~zbzw/ph/pnp/wigi.htm
Biebrza National Park
Drawa National Park
There are 18 trails, 504 km, leading through the most picturesque
swamplands and backwaters of the Biebrza River considered the
most beautiful in Europe. This is the largest park in Poland with an
area of 59 thousand hectares. The Biebrza swamps and ecosystems themselves are 25 thousand ha in size. Vast valley marshlands
with their distinctive plants are nesting and feeding grounds for an
uncountable number of water-swamp bird species and are visited
by ornithologists from the entire world.
• www.biebrza.org.pl
• www.staff.amu.edu.pl
There are 77 km of marked trails in the park leading through forests,
along rivers, by the lakes, along dusty roads, over hills and down
valleys. The park contains 450-year old oak trees and 300-year-old
beech trees and various floral specimens typical of the Drawa Forest
which is cut through by the Drawa River and is especially popular
with kayakers. The coat of arms of the Park is the otter. This small,
furry animal is a master of hunting underwater, and of eating while
floating on the water.
• www.dpn.pl
(north-western Poland)
WALKING BY WATER
(north-eastern Poland)
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7
WALKING BY WATER
and sunny beaches
The Słowiński National Park (the central part of the Baltic coast) is
part of the World Biosphere Reserve. This sandy, desert landscape
is situated on the edges of the sea. Over 80 km of trails have been
demarcated here, starting at sea level reaching 115 m altitude. One
of Europe’s largest moving sand dunes which can reach 50 m in
height in places is located near the Łebsko Spit. On the trail visit the
Gardno and Łebsko lakes and the open-air museum in Kluki where
houses, farm tools and works of art created by the inhabitants of the
region are on view.
• www.slowinskipn.pl
• www.pomorskie.pttk.pl
• www.it-pomorze.pl
• www.staff.amu.edu.pl/~zbzw/ph/pnp/slow.htm
• www.polandforvisitors.com/travel_poland/slowinski
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2
1
3
6
5
2
4
4
3
1. Rajszew
2. Warszawa
1. Gdańsk
4. Binowo
3. Kraków
2. Szczecin
5. Olsztyn
4. Paczółtowice
3. Postołowo
6. Naterki
There are twelve championship 18 hole golf
courses and nineteen 9 hole courses waiting
for golfing enthusiasts in Poland. They are
located in different regions of the country, in
the vicinity of big cities and exclusive hotels.
Warsaw
Kraków
• www.golf.pl
First Warsaw Golf & Country Club
(Rajszew)
Valley Golf & Country Club
The golf course (championship and 20 practice tees) is located
some 25 km from Warsaw’s center and covers an area of 63 ha.
Beautifully laid out it has small, natural water obstacles.
• www.warsawgolfclub.com
The 18 hole course, 6.5 km long, was constructed according to
USGA standards. It will satisfy the most experienced players.
Characteristic features: variety of the land, undulating fairways
and deep ‘bunkers’.
• www.golf.krakow.pl
(Paczółtowice)
Northern Poland
Golf & Country Club
Binowo Park Golf Club
(Binowo near Szczecin)
A golf club located in a Landscape Park surrounded by a beech
forest. The golf course (championship and 9-hole) is situated
in a hilly area with natural obstacles. The difference in levels is
up to 40 m.
• www.binowopark.pl
Postołowo Golf Club
(Postołowo near Gdańsk)
This 18-hole championship golf course, 6.5 km long, is located in
the picturesque scenery of Kashubian Pomerania. Apart from the
championship golf course there is a practice course for beginners.
• www.golf.com.pl
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FROM GREEN TO GREEN
A luxury hotel and golf course in the heart of the Warmia and
Masuria region. A championship 18 hole golf course designed
by British specialists. Its characteristic features are deep bunkers, a high Scottish type rough ground and large (650 sq.m)
undulating greens.
• www.mazurygolf.pl
FROM GREEN TO GREEN
(Naterki near Gietrzwałd)
1. Suwalszczyzna
22. Mazury
1. Sudety
mountain hiking
3
1. Suwałki region
2. Masuria
4
2. Beskidy
Numerous ski resorts from the west to the east of
Poland have specially marked cross-country
trails. Routes for offroad skiing can be found on
the traverses of mountain slopes and forest
wildernesses.
3. Warszawa
1. Sudetes Mountains
3. Tatry
4. Bieszczady
2. Beskidy Mountains
3. Tatra Mountains
4. Bieszczady Mountains
4. Łódź
The Tatra Mountains
and Podhale region
Sudetes Mountains
Around Warsaw
Beskidy Mountains
The beneficial influence of cross-country skiing was studied in the
‘60s by American doctor and skier, P.O. Astrand. He proved that
skiing stimulates the circulatory system and improves physical fitness, the distribution of oxygen in the body, it increases lung capacity, endurance and harmony of movement. However, it does
not put pressure on the joints and ligaments as running does.
• www.nanarty.info/biegowki
• www.narty.pl
• www.sudety.it/index/narty/biegowe
• www.narty.pl/strony/technika-jazdy/narty-biegowe
• www.ave.net.pl/narty
A 16-km long route crosses the Józefów dunes by the Świder
River in the Masovian Landscape Park. Ski trails in the Kampinos
Forest are marked out through the winter scenery of this ancient
forest in the National Park.
• www.parkiotwock.pl/mazowiecki
• www.kampinoska.waw.pl/wycieczkinaweekend/11nanartachbi
egowychwokolcyganki
In the Silesian and Żywiec Beskids Mountains the numerous skiing trails pass through well-known skiing resorts: Szczyrk, Wisła,
Ustroń and Korbielów. In the Sądecki Beskids Mountains crosscountry skiing trails pass through Piwniczna, Krynica and Szczawnica. Each February the Jaworz Ski Run is held near BielskoBiała and in Rajcza and Zwardoń the Peasant Ski Rally takes
place across Poland and Slovakia.
• www.beskidy24.pl
• www.e-beskidy.com
Around Łódź
There are routes in the Balimów forest through the nature reserve,
‘Siwica Clearing’, and the lowland Rawka River.
• www.przystan.ekoturyzm.pl/bolimowski.htm
hiking in the lowlands
Suwałki region
Masuria
The Suwałki region in north-eastern
Poland is a land of forests and lakes
ideally suited to cross-country skiing.
Most of the routes are located to the
north of Suwałki and each one can be
described with no hesitation as the
most beautiful. In February of each
year a ski run, ‘Northern Wanderings’, is organized. It is attended by
hundreds of enthusiasts of this sporting discipline.
• www.zima.suwalszczyzna.net
• www.sot.suwalszczyzna.eu
• www.zima.suwalszczyzna.pl
The Land of a Thousand Lakes contains many kilometers of skiing trails crossing its picturesque countryside.
• www.gora4w.com.pl
• www.nibork.pl/osrodek-narciarstwa-biegowego.html
• www.mazury.info.pl/zima/narciarstwo-biegowe
• http://www.tourism-promotion.net/wzgorza-dylewskie-i-„biegsasinow”
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Bieszczady Mountains
(Eastern Beskidy Mountains)
The length of the skiing trails in Bieszczady exceeds 130 km.
They have been put together for cross-country and skitouring.
The most beautiful ones are in the Bieszczady National Park
where snow and wind have created picturesque landscapes in
shades of black, white, tinged with the greens of the trees.
• wakacje.staypoland.eam/bieszczady-wypoczynek.aspx
• www.bieszczady.pl
• www.cisna.pl/asp/pl_start.asp?typ=14&sub=133&menu=135&
strona=1
• www.bieszczady.net.pl/narty.php
• www.twojebieszczady.pl/zima.php3
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DASHING THROUGH THE SNOW ... HIKING ON SKIS
health on the move
DASHING THROUGH THE SNOW... HIKING ON SKIS
The popularity of cross-country hiking on skis
is on the increase every year. No wonder. It’s a
great sport for everyone as a natural extension
of the summer season and one of the best
ways of prolonging a healthy life. You can meet
teenagers and eighty-year olds on ski routes
not only in Scandinavia but across the whole of
Europe. And it’s hard to tell the differences
between the three-generations.
There are various interesting cross-country skiing trails in Podhale, a vast valley at the foot of the Tatra Mountains. The trails are
marked as foot trails in the lower parts of the mountains or on the
flat mountain tops in Bukowina Tatrzańska, Białka or nearby
Gorce. There are also marked trails for professional downhill skiing in the Tatra Mountains. The trails above the upper parts of the
forest are not well-kept and are difficult. They are best traversed
with an experienced guide, with professional equipment and by
the physically fit.
• www.tatry.pl
• www.visit.malopolska.pl/turystyka/aktywna/?id=88
• www.nanarty.info/polska/malopolska/bukowina-tatrzanska
• http://przewodnik.onet.pl/1110,1595,1064139,1064143,artyk
ulr.html
• http://wakacje.staypoland.com/tatry-wypoczynek.aspx
• www.podhale-sport.pl/s,menu,pol,podsport,1773,biegi_narciarskie.html
These are the most important mountains for amateurs of crosscountry skiing with 80 km of well-kept trails. The easier ones lead
to Orle and Chatka Górzystów with difficult ones on the Śnieżka
massif in the Kletno area – they are beautiful but demanding. It is
worth taking the forest routes to Bielskie, Bystrzyckie or the Kamienne Mountains and completing the loop around Rymarz and
Kalenica in the Wielkiej Sowy (Great Owl) massif. Poland’s biggest
open long-distance crosscountry run – Bieg Piastów – is organized in March in Jakuszyce near Szklarska Poręba. Over 6 thousand skiers participate with distances covered from 10 to 50 km.
• www.sudety.pl
• www.bieg-piastow.pl
• www.szklarskaporeba.pl
• www.goryizerskie.pl/?file=grp&group_id=8
• www.karkonosze.pl/schronisko_chatka_gorzystow/schronisko_chatka_gorzystow.php
1. Sudety
Silesian Beskids
Szczyrk
This is one of the biggest and most popular winter sports centers
in Poland. It is covered with snow from December through to April.
There are 14 kilometers of routes to choose from – starting with
the FIS championship route, the famous ‘Bieńkula’ and ‘Golgota’,
ending with trails for children and beginners. Over 30 lifts including
a chair lift on Skrzynka guarantee quick transport to the starting
line. Szczyrk also knows how to entertain its guests, ‘après ski’
2. Beskid Śląski
1. Sudetes Mountains
3. Beskid Żywiecki
2. Silesian Beskids
3. Żywiec Beskids
1
4. Bieszczady
1. Krynica Zdrój
3. Zakopane
2. Tatra Mountains
4. Bieszczady
.The
Sudetes Mountains
There are numerous popular skiing trails in other towns of the Silesian
Beskids Mountains: in Wisła, Bielsko-Biała on Szyndzielnia and Klimczok (a gondola lift), in Ustroń Śląski on Czantoris and Jaszowiec.
• www.szczyrk.pl
Szklarska Poręba
Karpacz
Żywiec Beskids
This resort is especially popular among snowboard and intermediate level downhill skiing enthusiasts. The Polish Snowboard
Championships are held here each January.
• www.karpacz.pl
Korbielów
One hundred kilometers south of Krakow there is a beautiful mountain valley sculpted over millions of years by the Poprad River.
Several ski resorts are located in the valley (20 km long) and in its
vicinity: in Rytro, Piwniczna Zdrój – Sucha Dolina (Valley), Wierchomla and Muszyna Zdrój. All routes in Sądecki Beskids Mountains are
lamp lit, with artificial snow (if necessary), skiing, hotel and gastronomy infrastructures are well developed everywhere. Krynica Zdrój is
situated on the southern edge of the Sądecki Beskid Mountains. The
summer and winter queen of Polish resorts has two popular ski
resorts: on Jaworzyna Krynicka (8 routes of different difficulty levels,
including a FIS trail – 2600 m and a gondola) and in Słotwiny where
you can choose from among 15 downhill routes (from 120 to 1000
m) and a snowboard pipe 110 m long and 40 m wide.
• www.sudety.pl
• www.narty.rekreacja.pl
• www.polandforall.com/polish_mountains-ski-winter.html
Zakopane
Winter sports have an over 100 year long tradition in Zakopane
– international capital of downhill skiing and ski jumping. In winter,
which usually starts here at the beginning of December, the lifts
start moving on over 35 routes. All trails are lit, have artificial snow,
many offer snowboard trails. Skiing equipment can be rented and
instructors are available. The best skiing conditions are on Kasprowy Wierch (1987 m) however the routes are difficult and require professional skills. Excellent skiing trails can also be found in
other towns in the Tatras: Bukowina Tatrzańska, Białka Tatrzańska,
Poronin and others.
• www.zakopane.pl
• http://go-zakopane.com
• www.hellbell.co.uk/pistezakopane.htm
A popular skiing resort located on the slopes of Pilsko Mountain
(1557 m), one of the most beautiful mountains in the Beskids. In
the upper regions of Pilsko, due to a particular microclimate the
skiing season starts in November and lasts until first days of May.
The highlight of Pilsko is the elevation difference – 770 meters.
Added to this there are: 20 km of downhill routes of various difficulty levels, 10 rudder bar lifts, 1 chair lift and a snow park thought
to be among the best in Poland.
• http://korbielow.net/pilsko_trasy_wyciagi/index.php
Zieleniec
The most popular family resort. It is famous for its longlasting
snow and 20 pistes suitable for all ages: children, parents and
grandparents.
• www.zieleniec.pl
• www.duszniki.pl/?page=wyciagi_narciarskie#belka_szara
12
EXTREME DOWNHILL ON EXTREME SLOPES
There are 5 lamp lit routes waiting for skiers in this popular town in
the Sudetes, - beautiful in summer and in winter. The most difficult
trail (with a FIS certificate) on Szrenica is 2000 meters long. The ski
pistes ‘Lolobrygida’ (4 400 m), ‘Śnieżynka’ (2 080 m) and ‘Bystra’
(2 510 m) are not easy ones. Several routes have been prepared
for beginners: ‘Puchatek’ (1 470 m) and in Happiness Valley – on
Babiniec slope (520 m) and on Hala Szrenicowa (636 m).
• www.szklarskaporeba.pl
• www.e-szklarska.com/nartostrady.php
• www.sudetylift.com.pl
• http://karkonosz.pl
• www.szklarska.karkonosze.pl
Tatra Mountains
Sądecki Beskids
13
EXTREME DOWNHILL ON EXTREME SLOPES
Highlander way,
with a little bit of fantasy!
2. Tatry
3
1. Góry Sokole
1. Góry Sokole
2. Jura Krakowsko
-Częstochowska
2. Jura Krakowsko
-Częstochowska
Jura Krakowsko-Częstochowska
The most popular area for climbing are the old, every uneven
limestone walls in Kobylańska Valley, the Rzędkowickie Rocks,
the ridge between Mirów and Bobolice and Zborów Mountain reserve. These climbing routes can reach 70 meters and their difficulty is suitable for all levels.
• www.climbing.ovh.org
• www.wspinek.fr.pl
• http://topo.uka.pl/content/english/jura/jura_e.php
1. Sokole Góry (Hawk Mountains)
2. Jura Krakowsko-Częstochowska
3. Tatra Mountains
3. Tatry
1. Sokole Góry (Hawk Mountains)
2. Jura Krakowsko-Częstochowska
3. Tatra Mountains
Sokole Góry (Hawk Mountains)
Tatra Mountains
(near Jelenia Góra, South-Western Poland)
Granite rock, Sokoliki, is invaded by aficionados and
amateurs of rock climbing. Different difficulty routes: II, III, IV
to VI – requiring excellent technique – are laid out on six natural climbing walls. There are
various obstacles: pillars,
chimneys and cuts. But there
are also numerous crevices
which can be used for security
devices: stoppers, hex and
friends.
• www.sokoliki.net
• www.czestochowaonline.pl
TO THE PEAKS AND HIGHER
High mountain climbing within the area of the Tatry National Park is
allowed in certain designated areas. Summits in the Tatra Mountains
reach 2500 meters. It is not only the altitude but also the technically
demanding routes which attract mountaineers. Granite walls and
cliffs bearing poetic names: Kazalnica, Zamarła Turnia or Kościelec
inspire composers, painters and mountain climbing virtuosos. The
popular climbing routes in the Tatry National Park are: Morskie Oko
–from Białczańska Pass, through Rysy, Mięguszowieckie Szczyty
and Cubryna to Wrota Chałubińskiego, Five Lake’s Valley – from
Świnica to Zawrat Pass, Hala Gąsienicowa – from Żółta Pass through
Granaty, Kozi Wierch, Zawratowa Turnia, Świnica to Świnicka Pass
and other. During periods of danger of avalanches you can train on
the south-west slope of Sucha Jama (an old stove for processing
limestone) in Hala Gąsienicowa.
• www.e-gory.pl/content/view/585/145
14
15
TO THE PEAKS AND HIGHER
3. Tatry
1
2
1
4
2
a salt stadium below ground
Bochnia (40 km from Krakow)
5
Interesting tourist trails have been marked out in the Salt Mine in
Bochnia which has been in operation without interruption since
the 13th century. A microclimate prevails in the Ważyn chamber
(248 meters below ground). The air is saturated with microelements: magnesium, manganese and lime stone – calcium. There
is a long-distance jogging route (beneficial for health) laid out in
these surroundings, a sleigh slide (140 m) on a mining ramp and
a football field. All can be reached by a mine train running over
one kilometer, 212 meters below ground. In the oldest part of the
mine – galleries closed for hundreds of years – among salt sculptures and mining tools immersed and fossilised in salt brine, there
is an extremely difficult but extraordinarily beautiful route. Here
visitors will see the tools used and perhaps get a feel of what it
might have been like to be a miner some 500 years ago.
• www.bochnia.pl
• www.kopalniasoli.pl
3
1. Neanderthal man’s Cave
2. Niedźwiedzia (Bear) Cave
3. Mroźna (Frosty) Cave
4. A Royal Cave
5. Mylna Cave
1. Gold Mine „Złoty Stok”
2. Bochnia
Gold Mine
In Złoty Stok near Kłodzko a trail has been opened in an old gold
mine. Parts have to be travelled by boat down flooded underground
corridors. On the way there is an 8-meter high underground waterfall unique to Poland. An exhibition of old maps belonging to the
mine, mining tools and a furnace in which gold was smelted can be
visited. It is said that there is still some gold in the mine, so keep
a look out! Miners believe that
the gold in the mines is protected by gnomes – ghosts of miners who died in underground
accidents. Gnomes are friendly
creatures who often saved miners’ lives. In the Złoty Stok mine
the Grey Gnome appears unexpectedly on the trail. The
dreams of anyone who looks
straight into his eyes will be fulfilled.
• www.kopalniazlota.pl
• www.klubpodroznikow.eu/
podziemia/295-kopalniazota-zoty-stok• www.zlotystok.net/kopalnia.php
A Royal Cave
This is the biggest and most beautiful cave in Ojców National Park
near Kraków. A lamp lit route (320 m long) leads to places where
sometime in the 14th century, according to legend, one of the
Polish kings, Władysław Łokietek, hid. In front of the entrance to
the cave there are intriguing infiltrative sculptures called ‘ice men’
minutely carved by the frost and wind during winter.
• www.opn.pan.krakow.pl
• www.grotalokietka.pl
• www.krakow-info.com/ojcow.htm
• www.ojcow.pl/english/index_1_en.htm
Niedźwiedzia (Bear) Cave
(Sudetes, 1166 m)
Neanderthal man’s Cave
Mroźna (Frosty) Cave
In the Świętokrzyskie Mountains (near the town of Kielce) an underground limestone cathedral can be visited. The Paradise Cave
was formed by underground water over many ages. It isn’t big – a
mere 240 meters – but it is fascinating. In the cave you can travel
back to the times of Neanderthal men who lived in these parts.
The traces of their presence are displayed in the museum’s exhibition. Time to complete the route – 45 minutes, time travel – 45
000 years.
• www.jaskiniaraj.pl
The cave with its delicate outlines formed by mountain waters is
among the most beautiful caves in the Tatra Mountains. It is located 120 m above the floor of the Kościeliska Valley. The electrically lit route runs along an almost horizontal 480 meter-long corridor. A stroll through this underground gallery of natural sculptures
takes about 50 minutes.
• http://sktj.pl/epimenides/tatry/mrozna_p.html
Mylna Cave
This, the most interesting cave in the Tatra mountains, has almost
1300 meters of corridors. It can be visited without a guide by following the marked route. The trail leads through a labyrinth of corridors
sculpted by mountain waters. The conditions are quite demanding:
cold, numerous pools of water and low tunnel roofs. Take a good
torch with you, warm clothes and adequate hiking boots.
• http://sktj.pl/epimenides/tatry/mylna_p.html
16
17
SALT AND GOLD MINES
(Tatra Mountains, 1250 m)
Underground
IN A ROYAL CAVE WITH A BEAR
Underground
This is the largest cave in Poland with a length of 2.5 km. The
entrance is at 820 m above sea level. The corridors run on 4 levels. In Pleistocene times (which ended 11 000 years ago) the cave
was occupied by bears. Their bones have been found in many
parts of the cave. The time needed to traverse the Bear Cave is
50 minutes.
• www.turystyka.dolnyslask.pl
• www.jaskinia.pl
4
1
2
In the 19th century fortresses were built in
several Polish towns. Most of them have been
preserved unchanged up to today. You can visit
them on foot or by bike and penetrate deeply
into the dark and gloomy basements of these
military sites. They were created by engineers
from three different nations which occupied
Poland in the 19th century: Austrians (Kraków
Fortress and Przemyśl Fortress), Prussians
(Toruń Fortress) and Russians (Osowiec
Fortress). The fortifications in Krakow (60 km
circumference) and Toruń are a great attraction
for visitors to Polish cities. Only a few tourists
realize that when standing in the Market Square
in Kraków or in front of the Monument to
Copernicus in Toruń they are at the same time
in the ce nter of a former fortress. This is also
the case in the beautiful town of Przemyśl – full
of historic sites and filled with a unique type of
culture of a town on the border between two
nations: Polish and Ukrainian. Enthusiasts of
walking in these fortified labyrinths will be
greatly interested by these fortress buildings
which are amongst the largest in Europe.
2
3
1. Sandomierz
2. Jarosław
3. Rzeszów
4. Chełm
Jarosław and Rzeszów
(Podkarpacie, south-eastern Poland)
and Sandomierz upon
the Vistula River
(central Poland)
These old mercantile towns offer underground trails intersecting corridors and basements of Medieval merchandise storage
places. Wines and goods from out of the country were kept in
these basements and during invasions people sought refuge in
here. Today as you marvel at their construction and utility you
will be transported to the times of the Middle Ages. Labyrinths
of corridors and cellars – which can be visited only with a guide
are spread over 200 m in Jarosław and Rzeszów and over 470
m in Sandomierz at a depth of 12 m.
• www.rzeszow.pl
• www.jaroslaw.pl
• www.sandomierz.pl
• www.wrota.podkarpackie.pl/pl/turystyka/szlaki/sciezki/trasy_
podziemne
• www.sandomierz.pl/index.php/pl/atrakcje_i_ciekawostki/art19.
html
1
1. Międzyrzecz Fortified Area
2. Osowiec Fortress
A mysterious town of concrete
The Międzyrzecz Fortiﬁed Area
(Lubusko Lands, western Poland)
A great fortification system, the largest in Europe, built by the Germans, 1935-1939, covers an area of 100 km between the Odra
and Warta rivers. Tens of underground bunkers joined by tunnels
form an underground town with train stations, a net of warehouses and barracks. Today, bats, including the largest in Europe,
pass the winter here. A visit to this underground complex can
take up to 8 hours. Routes between particular positions in the
fortress are marked out also on the surface. Some visitors choose
to travel using a military vehicle, others prefer a bike. There is an
observation tower on one of the trails from which you can study
the layout of Europe’s biggest fortification.
• www.bunkry.pl
• www.miedzyrzecz.pl
Chełm
Underneath almost the entire terrain of the town of Chełm is a twokilometer net of corridors and mining chambers. It is Europe’s only
underground chalk mine reaching 20 m down into the deposit located under historical, public buildings. Throughout hundreds of
years pits and labyrinths of passages have been dug out. They
can be accessed straight from the tenements above them. The
dark underground – which can be visited only with a guide – is lit
up by the white chalk walls on which you can sometimes see the
shadow of the White Ghost, the spirit of this land. But people do
not tremble in fear down here because of the low temperature
which doesn’t rise above +9 °C, even during summer.
• www.chelm.pl
• www.zabytkowakopalniakredy.pl
• www.podziemiakredowe.pl
maca.obiezyswiat.org
maca.obiezyswiat.org
The Russian-built Osowiec Fortress was raised in the years 18821915 in the narrow Biebrza River valley (north-eastern Poland).
It was never conquered. But today anyone can enter it with no
problem; however a guide is recommended.
• http://www.monki.com.pl/strony.html
• http://maps.pomocnik.com/photo/osowiec-fortress-poland
• www.wrotapodlasia.pl
18
19
TOWNS IN FORTRESSES
The Russian-built Osowiec Fortress
Underground
LABYRINTHS UNDERNEATH CITIES
Underground
(near Lublin, eastern Poland)
2
1
1
In the north of Poland – among the thousands of
lakes and rivers along the coastline of the Baltic Sea,
in ancient forests and colourfully flowering meadows
– cycling trails lead from the western to the eastern
borders of the country. All trails offer services, good
food and interesting entertainment.
2. Podkarpacie Region
take it to the limit
In the Polish mountains you can choose from extreme routes requiring endurance and good technique and leisurely excursion
routes through forests with scenic views. In some locations there
are special trails for performance downhill runs. One of the most
difficult routes in the Sudetes leads from Międzygórze to Snieżnik
(1425 m). It requires a good level of fitness and experience. Other
popular biking trails are: ‘Kowary Bypass’ (near Kowary) – 33 km
long, altitude difference 500 m, the Euro Regional Cycling Tourist
Trail, ‘Liczyrzepa’, and other international biking routes leading
through Poland, Czech Republic and Germany. Each trail is an
altitude challenge from 500 to 1100 meters. Different parts of the
Beskid Mountains – Żywiecki, Sądecki, Wyspowy, Niski – offer
biking trails climbing steep mountains and gentler routes in valleys
and along rivers. Some are along the most scenic pedestrian
trails, around the towns of Szczyrk or Wisła. In Zawoja, a popular
vacation area, the trails are difficult and demanding and you have
to be at the peak of your potential. However the challenge is usually the reason for choosing the more interesting routes.
• www.rowerowakraina.com
• www.szklarska.ig.pl/cms,334.php
• www.karkonosze.ws/trasy_rowerowe_szklarskiej_poreby_
• artykul_54.html
Seeing the sights of the world from the back of a
bicycle is a very popular and healthy way of
traveling. In Poland there are suitable routes at the
seaside, in the Lake District, in national and
landscape parks, routes leading to mountain
peaks and down winding ravines and valleys and
around big cities.
In the Podkarpacie Region in south-eastern Poland there are trails
belonging to the network, ‘Greenways’ (R 61 and R 63). They are
located around the international biosphere nature reserve in the
Eastern Carpathian Mountains comprising national parks in three
countries: Bieszczady National Park in Poland, Połoniny National
Park in Slovakia and Użański National Park in Ukraine. Taking the
green bike trail you will pass through the most beautiful towns, villages, landscapes and historic sites in Podkarpacie. Visiting ancient
burial mounds and settlements, wooden houses and Catholic and
Orthodox churches with their unique architecture will take you back
3 to 4 thousand years. During winter the green bike trail, all covered
in snow, is very picturesque.
• www.wrota.podkarpackie.pl
• www.Rowery.ePodkarpacie.com
• www.zielonyrower.pl
Necklace of the North
2. Hanza Union Trail
3. Trail „Necklace of the North”
The ‘Greenways’ Trail in northern Poland called the ‘Necklace of the
North’ is 870 km long. The route passes through Western Pomerania, Tuchola Forest and Krajno Land through sites of its historical
heritage, picturesque towns and landscape parks. In the roadside
inns travellers can taste regional dishes, the fruits of the forest and
the famous bread from Barwice, bread tasting like bread.
• www.greenways.pl/index.php?lang=eu
Hanza Union Trail
This coastal cycling trail (part of the R 10 – international cycling
route) extends over 258 kilometers along the Baltic shoreline
through Wolin National Park and popular health resorts,
Świnoujście, Kołobrzeg, Międzyzdroje, Dziwnów and Rewal. You
can stop at golf centers (Kołczewo, Łukęcin) or at picturesque
fishing cottages where the traditional cultural landscape has been
preserved.
• www.it-pomorze.pl/index.php?option=com_
content&task=view&
• id=430&Itemid=128
As you ride through the Park on Wolin Island located along the
historical mercantile trail from Hamburg to Gdańsk you will be
able to see in the landscape the turbulent past of this island from
prehistoric times to World War II. Today, Wolin National Park offers scenic points and trails and educational routes with a total
length of 50 kilometers. The jewel in the park is the Turquoise
Lake with its dark green waters.
• www.polskawakacyjna.pl/wolinski_park_narodowy.html
• www.miedzyzdroje.info.pl/wolinski_park_narodowy.php
• www.wolinpn.pl/html/turystyka/aktywna.htm
Wolin National Park
TAKE IT TO THE LIMIT
Cycling around Poland
Green Bikes in Podkarpacie Region
1. Wolin
20
21
ON A SEA MADE OF SAND
1. Trail ‘Liczyrzepa’
2. Podkarpacie
3
1
1
6
7
2
Odra River Trail
3
The main biking route in western Poland, 313-km-long, runs
beside the Odra River, the border between Poland and Germany. It starts in the town of Wrocław and passes on both
banks of the Odra through Głogów, Radoszyce (ferry), Chobienia (ferry), Ścinawa, Lubiąż and Brzeg Dolny (ferry).
• www.greenways.pl/index.php?content&id=30&lang=pl
• www.oderneisse-radweg.de/content
2
1. Słowiński
8
3
1. Gdańsk
2. Trail R1
National
3. Łódź
Park
4. Częstochowa
2. Odra River
5. Kraków
Trail
6. Suwałki
3. Stork Trail
4
5
7. Region Cycling Ring
8. Warszawa
borderland trails
National Parks
by bike on the storks’ trail
between old towns
In the Słowiński National Park the route winds along the seashore,
over sand dunes, through Kluki with its Museum, Wsi Słowińskiej.
Cycling routes in Wigry National Park are laid out around Wigry
Lake. In Narwia National Park the 90 kilometers of green routes
run between the backwaters of the Narwia River and flocks of
aquatic birds.
• www.slowinskipn.pl/spn_pl.php?lang=pl&site=turystyka_szlaki
• www.wigry.win.pl/praktyczny/szlaki2.htm
• www.npn.pl/index.php?id=7&lang=pl
The Stork Trail in the Podlasie region crosses four national parks:
Białowieża National Park, Narwia National Park, Biebrza National
Park and Wigry National Park, the ancient Augustów Forest and
Suwałki Landscape Park. This route is ideal for nature lovers, enthusiasts of rare plant and bird species and mammals which can all be
seen in this garden of nature. On the way the scenery rapidly changes from forests to meadows. Thousands of birds fly overhead
amongst them magnificent white storks which nest in this area.
• www.suwalszczyzna.pl/pol_ver/pol05.htm
Famous Polish towns Kraków and Częstochowa are joined by
the 188-km long Eagles’ Nest Cycling Trail. The route passes
through the picturesque region of Jura KrakowskoCzęstochowska, its limestone hills and ravines, at an altitude
between 300 and 450 meters. Poland’s oldest fortified castles
called ‘eagles’ nests’ can be visited along the way. There are
also various cycling routes in national or landscape parks surrounding other old and famous towns in Poland: Warsaw: Masovian Landscape Park - 40 km and the Kampinos Cycling Trail
– 200 km Łódź: Arturówka, a biking loop around the town – 70
km Gdańsk: numerous cycling trails in the Tricity Landscape
Park and the Kashubia Region Switzerland – a picturesque land
located less than 40 km from central Gdańsk.
• http://pl.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jurajski_Rowerowy_Szlak_Orlich_
Gniazd
International trails
There are several international cycling trails crossing Poland including the longest, R 1. This International Cycling Route starts in
Calais, France and wends its way through Belgium, Holland, Germany, Poland, Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia to Saint Petersburg
in Russia. During 675 km of its length it joins up with the best
cycling trails in northern Poland.
22
23
IT GETS MORE DIFFICULT ON FLAT GROUND
IT GETS MORE DIFFICULT ON FLAT GROUND
There is a good network of long-distance and
regional trails through ancient forests,
historical towns, numerous attractions and
national parks.
In the north-east corner of Poland, the picturesque land of lakes
and forests a trail called the Suwałki Region Cycling Ring has
been laid out. The jeweller’s term ‘ring’ has been used because
taking this trail you will discover the treasures of the borders of
Poland and Lithuania: beautiful landscapes, unusual culture and
the hospitality of its inhabitants. When you are invited for a meal
or during your stay in inns and agro tourist farms try the regional
dishes: sękacz – layered cake, kalduns, and zeppelins – potato
noodles in the shape of Ferdinand Zeppelin’s airships.
• www.suwalki.pttk.pl/index.php?submenu=14&page=pokaz&
id=152
1
1. Mazury
2. Góry Świętokrzyskie
Świętokrzyskie Mountains
The Świętokrzyskie Mountains, located almost in the middle of
Poland, are the central point on off-road maps. Expeditions on
difficult tracks in the Kielce area and hard mountain crossings can
be coupled with visits to historical sites in the region which boasts
a very ancient culture.
1. Masuria
‘Off-road’ doesn’t mean a way of spending
time after hours – it’s a lifestyle. Driving on
roads full of potholes into difficult, inaccessible
regions but in beautiful countryside or
participating in rallies are only some of the
highlights of this popular sport using all terrain,
4x4 vehicles and GPS technology. In a way this
is the fulfillment of the ‘Easy Rider’ dream.
There are plenty of areas for terrain driving with
clubs and organizers of off-road expeditions.
You should keep in mind however that off-road
driving is not permitted everywhere. Sometimes
obtaining permission is necessary, especially in
protected nature zones.
1. Włodawa
2. Świętokrzyskie Mountains
Masuria
The lowland routes in Masuria are surprisingly difficult. Apart from
asphalt roads, forest roads and roads along lakes and rivers there
are swamp crossings and steep uphill trails. Popular off-road
routes start in well-known tourist towns: Mrągowo, Pisz, Szczytno, Gizycko and Ełk.
• www.polskioffroad.com
• www.polskioffroad.com
• www.adventure-sky.pl/offroad.php
Close to Włodawa in Polesie
(Polesie Lubelskie)
24
25
OFF-ROAD AND ON STONY GROUND
Off-road
OFF-ROAD AND ON STONY GROUND
Off-road
The annual, “International Off-Road Car Rally IPA offroad Poland”,
is organized in the Hanna Commune in the Włodawa District
(Lubelskie Voivodeship). The event is organized by the Mazovian
Voivodeship Group of the International Police Association (IPA).
The competition is attended by experienced and beginner drivers
of competitive off-road cars, standard tourist cars and quads.
Navigation driving, trial tests and time driving trials are part of the
competition.
• www.wlodawa.eu/?p=948
1
1
Horses have a particular place in Polish
culture and tradition: they are treated as
‘friends and partners’ and are very popular
animals. Stables are located from the
Sudetes to the Baltic Sea also in the vicinity
of Gdańsk, Kraków, Poznań, Warsaw and
Wrocław. Equestrian centers all have different
breeds: from tiny ponies and graceful Huculs
to pure blood Arab and English horses. They
organize horse-back riding courses,
gymkhanas or western cow boy film style
meetings. Periodic equestrian events enjoy
great popularity: rodeos in Western City near
Kozia Skała (Karpacz area) in August, the
Indian Summer in Puszczykowo (near
Poznań), bathing with horses in lakes and
night treks in the Masuria National Park.
Each year on November 3,
on St. Hubertus Day – the patron of hunters
– horse riding events called ‘fox hunt’ are
organized.
2. Bieszczady
1. Sudeten Equestrian Trail
horse-riding mountain trails
Bieszczady Mountains
Stay in the saddle enthusiasts appreciate the Bieszczady Mountains for the wonderful landscapes, mountain trails and those extraordinary ponies called Huculs. The Bieszczady National Park is
the only strictly protected nature reserve where mountain equestrian tourism is allowed on marked trails. In the summer season (May
through September) equestrian meetings are organized regularly –
2 to 6 days long. The Bieszczady trails are over 150 km long.
• www.bieszczady.net.pl/konie.php
• www.wrota.podkarpackie.pl/pl/turystyka/aktywna/konna
The Equestrian Trail
in Augustów Forest
(north-east Poland)
This trail joins two national parks: Biebrza National Park and
Wigry National Park. It starts in a forester’s lodge in Grzędy and
runs through meadows and forests and the most beautiful winter
and summer landscapes of the Suwałki region, Augustów and
Wigry National Park. Length: 246 km.
• www.suwalszczyzna.net/suwalszczyzna.html&lang=en
• www.stajniazascianek.pl/rajdykonne.html
1. Chodowiecki Equestrian Trail
2. Augustów Forest
• http://holidays.staypoland.com/poland-horseback-riding.htm
• www.equinetourism.co.uk/worldwidehorseholidays/poland.asp
Daniel Chodowiecki
Equestrian Trail
In 1773 Daniel Chodowiecki (Gdańsk, 1726–1801), prominent
graphic and artist, chancellor of the Berlin Fine Arts Academy,
travelled for over 60 days on horseback from Berlin to Gdańsk.
During his journey he jotted down drawings, described the people,
events and landscapes. They were published as an album, ‘Daniel
Chodowiecki’s diary from the journey to Gdańsk in 1773’. The
Chodowiecki route was transformed into a horse trail from Gdańsk
to Krąg. It is divided into 12 sections on the sea shore between
boarding houses where you can stay overnight and enjoy the delicacies of the local cuisine, rent horses, carriages and a guide.
Length of the trail: 274 km; daily sections: 11 to 26 kilometers.
• www.konie.biz
• www.konno.bigm.pl
Huculs – a strong and gentle pony
Sudeten Equestrian Trail
This is a mountain pony, bred in the austere climate of the eastern
Carpathians. They have an iron constitution and a tough but gentle character. They are often used in therapy. The surmount obstacles higher than themselves (140 cm) and are champions of
mountain expeditions. They are known for their intelligence and
caution: they can find their way home in the biggest blizzard and
before they step onto a footbridge over a mountain creek they tap
the logs with their hoofs to check if the bridge is solid.
(Sudetes Mountains, south-west Poland)
This route is over 360 kilometers long from Lądek Zdrój to Karpacz
through picturesque valleys and passes in the Sudetes Mountains.
There are 13 mountain horse tourism hostels en route where excellent food and comfortable accommodation are waiting for travellers. One, or a few days excursions are often organized on the trail.
• www.western.one.pl/nowa/drukuj.php?nid=19
26
27
BY LAKES AND THROUGH FORESTS
(northern Poland)
On horseback
POLISH PEOPLE LOVE HORSES ... HORSE-RIDING MOUNTAIN TRAILS
On horseback
(south-eastern Poland)
1. Puszcza
Augustowska
1
1
5
4
2. Mazury
3
Down the Black Hańcza River
bird river
One of the most picturesque kayaking trails consists of two stages: rafting on the Black Hańcza River and the Augustów Channel.
The trip starts on Wigry Lake. Up to Jałowy Róg the river squeezes itself through high escarpments and flows underneath a canopy of trees. Time needed to complete the route: 12 days, length
110 km; daily sections: 10-12 km.
• www.splywy.pl/czarna_hancza
The Biebrza River and its backwaters is a paradise for bird
enthusiasts who come here from all over the world. The trail is
situated in the Biebrza National Park. It winds by beaver and
elk refuges and countless colourful flocks of aquatic, migratory
and non-migratory birds. The Biebrza Trail passes through
swamps and the backwoods which facilitates bird watching.
The Biebrza River countryside – beautiful at all times of the
day. Length from Lipsk to the Biebrza confluence with the
Narew River: 145 km, daily sections: up to 14 km.
• www.agrobiebrza.a3.pl
• www.tratwy.pl
• www.splywy.pl/biebrza
1. Black Hańcza River
2. Masuria
3. Drawa River
4. Rospuda River
1. Biebrza ”bird river”
2. Białka
3. Dunajec
3
5. Krutynia River
2
choppy waves
Taking a pontoon or kayak down the Dunajec River requires
experience; this river should not be dismissed as easy. It is
best to use professional equipment and the services of a
guide. The thirteen kilometer section of the river with a 12%
drop is a real challenge for kayakers. It is an extremely difficult natural kayaking water-way where you need to avoid the
stony banks and rocks and fight the rushing current and
waves. However, the Dunajec River does become gentler
later when it passes through Chorshtyn Lake, Sromowce
Niżne and the Pieniny National Park where it forms a picturesque ravine.
On the Rospuda River
The three day kayaking trip on the Rospuda River requires experience. It is difficult where the river enters Augustów Forest as it
rushes like a mountain torrent and the way is hindered by waterfalls, fallen trees and rocks. The route is beautiful and mysterious.
Strong sensations guaranteed. Length: 80 km, daily sections: up
to 12 km.
• www.splywy.pl/rospuda
This river is the most beautiful kayaking trail in Europe. It meanders
between moraine hills, passes through 17 lakes and the thickets of
Piska Forest. Rare bird species are a special feature of the trail. Curious
black storks fly close to the kayaks as ravens, cormorants and cranes
soar above your head. There are numerous hostels in the region offering comfortable accommodation and delicious regional dishes with the
local specialty: European White Fish. Time needed to complete the
route: up to 8 days, length: 100 km; daily sections: 10-24 km.
• www.splywy.pl/krutynia
• www.krutynia.com.pl
One of the longest trails in Europe crossing the biggest Polish lake
– Śniardwy, the insignificantly smaller Mamry and Niegocin lakes
and ribbon lakes, Nidzkie, Bełdany and Tałty. Length: 111 km, time
needed to complete the route: around 10 days.
• www.splywy.pl
• http://mazury.info.pl/uslugizegl.html
Riding the Drawa River current
The water way on this lowland river will charm everyone. Great
backwaters, numerous twists and turns, tree trunks and thick
reeds form the stunning scenery unfolding from Krzywe Lake in
the post-glacial Five Lake Valley, through several lakes in the
Drawa Lake District and the Drawa National Park. Length: 173 km.
• www.kajakowe.com.pl
• www.jermak.com
Mountain rivers and wild rivers
Dunajec, a river with character
On the international six-point scale of white water rivers (WW), the
River Dunajec is rated at the 3rd level of difficulty. Its strong current
cuts through granite rocks and sculpts picturesque ravines.
Sometimes it flows as it likes with a mountaineer’s contrariness
and robustness.
• www.naszewyprawy.net
• www.flisacy.com.pl
• www.adventure-sky.pl
On a Highland raft
The oldest, longest and most beautiful mountain kayaking trail on
the Dunajec River is 15 km long with a decline of almost 40 meters. During a two and a half hour long trip on rafts the Dunajec
will generously offer you unexpected sensations and picturesque
views. Cutting through rock walls rising 300 meters above the
water the river turns on itself seven times and sometimes it is hard
to say in which direction the raft is going. As you marvel at the
views listen to the stories which the Flis don’t try to keep to themselves. They are as great storytellers as they are helmsmen.
The Augustów Channel
Białka, proud queen of the mountains
A two-day trip on the 35-km long section of the Augustów Channel from Rygole to Augustów is an exceptional adventure. The
trail leads through Augustów Forest, the forest lakes of the Augustów Lake District and around 18 dams – historical engineering
sites. Each dam is a masterpiece of construction from over 170
years ago and still functioning faultlessly.
• www.kajaki-biwaki.pl
• www.kajaki.forma-t.com.pl/czh_03.html
• www.szekla.pl
• www.necko.pl/splywy.html
• www.splywy.net l www.suwalszczyzna.pl/pol_ver/pol06.htm
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Białka in the Tatra Mountains is a crystal clear river, alluring and
haughty as a queen of the mountains. It is the most difficult mountain kayaking waterway in Poland - WW IV-IV+ and is accessible
only to skilled kayakers with good equipment. Mountain kayakers
usually choose the section from Jaworinka (Jurgów) to Czarna
Góra, full of high ravines, rocky shores and shallows. Here in July
the annual Mountain Kayaking School camps take place. Białka
River is navigable only seasonally. It is most difficult and challenging after abundant rain fall and in Spring when the snows in the
high passes of the Tatra Mountains begin to melt.
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BIRD RIVER
The Great Masurian Lakes Route
On and under water
Krutynia River
GENTLE RIVERS
On and under water
Over 4 800 kilometers of Polish rivers are
used as water routes. Gentle lowland rivers
unfold before the eyes of kayakers, the
ribbon of their crystal clear current winding
through avenues of trees and reeds bending
over the water. Wild and insubordinate
mountain rivers flow where they want to,
crashing over granite rocks. Traveling on
these rivers is always an adventure,
sometimes mild, other times wild.
1. Zatoka Gdańska
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3. Mazury
Drawsko Lakeland sparkling
ribbons of lakes
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2
(Middle Pomerania)
A land for devotees of nature and serenity. Here you will find your
silence, your niche among the post-glacial ribbon lakes and 200
meter high moraines. The largest lakes in the Drawsko region
(surface 1871 ha, depth to 80 m) are Lubie, Pile, Siecino, Komorze, Wilczkowo and Trzesiecko, all ideal for yachting. However,
before setting off, make sure you have a yacht with a hinged, collapsible mast to get under the many low bridges over the narrow
channels joining some of the lakes.
• www.jeziorodrawsko.com/zeglarstwo.html
• www.jarmak.pl
1. Szczecin Bay
2. Dąbie Lake
3. Masuria
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1. Gdańsk Bay
2. Drawsko Lakeland
4. Powidzkie Lake
Masuria, land of a thousand lakes
Picturesque lakes surrounded by forest-covered shores are connected by natural and artificial canals into one of Europe’s longest
inland sailing route – The Great Masurian Lakes Trail. The route
flows through the largest lake in Poland – Śniardwy Lake (distance end to end: 22 km, breadth: 13 km). Many yachtsmen set
out at dawn the wind filling their sails, as the first rays of the sun
reflect on the water. Besides these well known and popular Masurian sailing routes there are mysterious and rarely visited spots
such as the Zamordejski headland on Nidzkie Lake or Skanał Bay
on Tałty Lake where the best views are at dawn and dusk. There
is much entertainment waiting for sailors in the hostels after the
cruise has finished, entertainment in yachting style.
• http://zagle.mazury.info/portalik.php?lang=pl
• www.mazury.com.pl
• http://czartery.prv.pl
Western Pomerania,
from a lake to the sea
Western Pomerania is very popular with sailing enthusiasts for its
many navigable reservoirs. Start on a lake and finish at the sea,
sailing from Dąbie Lake, through Szczecin Bay into the Baltic Sea.
In Trzebież on Szczecin Bay in the Main Sailing Center there is a
famous sailing school.
• www.coz.com.pl
• http://zalewszczecinski.net
Greater Poland
(Pomerania)
This Bay on the Baltic Sea is visited every summer by thousands of yachtsmen and windsurfers. Sandy coasts (no stones
or rocks) along the entire shoreline of the Bay present favourable conditions for yachting and boating. There are ports located in a relatively small area: Gdańsk, Gdynia, Sopot and
many well known health resorts as well as fishing docks: Hel,
Jastarnia, Puck and Rewa. In most of them it is possible to
launch boats from trailers on the quay.
• www.port21.pl/czartery/article_245.html
• www.blekitnypiotrus.pl/?idk=21&ido=215
This crystal clear lake is a vast post-glacial ribbon (surface: 1175
ha) within the Powidzki Landscape Park. The bed of the lake and
the crayfish strolling there can be seen at a depth of 5 m. There
are boating enthusiasts who spend their every spare moment
here. They arrive from the furthest corners of the country and sail
at dawn along the shores covered with forests, pick mushrooms,
catch some fish and have a delicious breakfast amidst the rushes
and reeds in this nature’s garden paradise.
• www.jezioropowidzkie.pl
• www.yachtcharter.republika.pl
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UNDER SAILS MADE OF CLOUDS
Powidzkie Lake
UNDER SAILS MADE OF CLOUDS
Adventure in the wind
Only skilled sailors and helmsmen can cruise Dąbie Lake. It is
small, short, up to 4 m deep and has troublesome waves reaching 1.5 meters. An added hindrance are the fishing nets sometimes spread over large areas. In this labyrinth of fishing nets, with
a strong wind and gentle waves, tacking can be a great pleasure,
but only for older sea dogs.
• www.dabie.pl
• http://marinas.pl/akweny/jezioro-dabie
• www.polskieszlaki.pl//jezioro-dabie-w-szczecinie.htm
Gdańsk Bay
Dąbie Lake a boating
labyrinth
2
1
1
3. Mazury
2
3
4
1. Wolin
2. Hel Peninsula and Puck Bay
3. Masuria
1. Otmuchowskie Lake
2. Żywieckie Lake
3. Czorsztyn Lake
4. Solina Lake
Mountain sailing
Solina Lake (Eastern Beskids) is considered to be the capital of
mountain sailing. Fancifully shaped shorelines (over 160 km), small
capes, impressive peninsulas, hidden bays, picturesque islands
covered with forests, form a water reservoir with changeable wind
conditions: storms and sudden calms. These are the perfect conditions for mountain sailing. Length of the lake: 25 km, breadth: to
2.5 km, average depth: 35 m (maximum 60 m). In some of the
yachting and health resorts around Solina Lake there are well-developed service points (boat rental), restaurants and hotels. And in
the evenings you can hear the murmur of voices from around camp
fires, a distant disco and pub, all to the aroma of grilled local fish.
• www.wrota.podkarpackie.pl/pl/turystyka/atrakcje/solina
• www.port21.pl/czartery/article_547.html
• www.zacumuj.pl/region.php?rid=3
You can practice windsurfing everywhere in Poland where there are
yachting centers and the Great Masurain Lakes are top of the list.
On the western shore of the Baltic Sea there are favourable conditions for windsurfing on the southern and northern side of Wolin
Island located on the borders between Poland and Germany.
Strong western winds are prevalent in this area. Puck Bay, separated from the Baltic Sea by the Hel Peninsula (a 34 km long, narrow sandy isthmus) is the capital of summer sports. Its inner bay,
the Small Sea, has a surface of 104 square kilometers and is up to
9 m in depth. Temperate water, low waves, dominant westerly
winds along the shore creates ideal conditions for windsurfing.
• www.windsurfing.odszkodowania-24.net
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ON BOARD WITH THE WIND
On board with the wind
photo: P. Olejnik
The capital of mountain sailing
MOUNTAIN SAILING
In southern Poland, amidst hills and mountains, behind dams on
mountain rivers, there are beautiful artificial lakes. On many of
them you will be sailing in the shadows of giant mountains: Otmuchowskie Lake in the Sudetes foothills, Nysa Kłodzka River
(length: 6 km, breadth: 3 km), Żywieckie Lake in the Small Beskids Mountains, Soła River (length: 8 km) and Czorsztyn Lake in
the Pieniny Mountains.
• www.niedzicazamek.pl/atrakcje.html
• www.wczasy-neptun.pl/info.php
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1
2
1. Kraina Wielkich Jezior
1. Hel Peninsula
2. Puck Bay
3. Rewa Bay
1. Great Masurian Lakes
Sailing with a kite
Kitesurfing offers unlimited possibilities for having enormous fun in
water and the air. This fad, fashionable not only among young
people, is a combination of a mini surfing board with a kite and
provides many moments of pure delight. Looking at people gliding 10 m above the water, hanging from lines attached to a kite it
is hard not to be a little jealous. These are people with wings.
People on a journey. One of the best places for kitesurfing is
Rewa Bay near Gdynia. It is a sheltered location where the wings
of a kite can be spread in safety.
• www.kitesurfing.pl
Sailing on ice
Ice-yachts
Winter yachting on ice using ice-boats (yachts on ice skates) is
gaining an increasing number of enthusiasts. People love this
sport for its speed. Champions reach over 100 km per hour. In
fact anyone can be a champion especially on the Great Masurian
Lakes where in Giżycko, Węgorzewo or Mikołajki the conditions
are excellent and the traditions of this sport go back a long way.
The lakes freeze in December and safe ice lasts until April. Apart
from traditional ice-boats you can try out new some of the inventions: iceflyer – an ice-boat with windsurfing sail and iceboard – a
windsurfing board on ice skates.
• www.bojery.pl
• http://bojery.mazury.info.pl/bojery
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SAILING ON ICE
It’s a great way of losing weight. You just need 2 to 4 days depending on the wind to learn how to kitesurfing. After you’ll never
think again about any other sport or ways of spending your spare
time. You just have to check the weather forecast and the
strength of the wind on your favourite beach before every weekend and holidays. The Hel Peninsula offers many professional
places to learn this sport and to put it into practice. At 500 m
from the beach the water is at waist level. Here you will feel very
safe enabling you to learn how to windsurf and kitesurf very
quickly.
• www.SurfPoint.pl l www.boardandkite.pl
• www.ekolaguna.com.pl l www.kitecenter.pl
• www.kiteakademia.pl l www.kite.pl
• www.wake.pl
SAILING WITH A KITE
Better for you than sex
or cigarettes
1. Morze Bałtyckie
2
3
2
5
4
1. Baltic Sea
4. Łańskie Lake
2. Gdynia
5. Hańcza Lake
1
The Baltic Sea
The Baltic is a difficult and demanding sea for divers. Huge waves,
strong currents and rapidly changing conditions underwater require experience and good security measures. Numerous ship
wrecks scattered on the sea bottom are a reminder of World War
II. They are also a frequent destination of underwater excursions.
Gdańsk Bay has over 200 wrecks in its depths – and that’s only
at the entrances to the harbours in Gdańsk and Gdynia. You can
dive to those which are not used by the Polish Navy. Close to the
Hel Peninsula rests the wreck of the warship, ORP ‘Groźny’. The
over 30-meter-long wreck is at 18 meters lying on its starboard
side. With the good visibility and modest sea currents it is an excellent location for first-time divers. Expeditions are organized by
professionals from several wreck diving centers in Hel, Gdynia,
Władysławowo, Łeba and Kołobrzeg.
• www.exstream.com.pl
• www.hotdive.com
• www.nurkomania.pl
• www.kdp-pttk.org.pl
• www.scubadiving.pl
• www.underwater.pl
3. Hel
1. Czarnogłowy Lake
2. Białe Filipowskie Lake
3. Jaworzno-Szczakowa
4. Tatra Mountains
5. Miętusia Cave
3
www.underwater.pl
In crystal clear lakes
In the darkness of mountain caves
Czarnogłowy Lake
The temperature below the thermocline (depth 9 m) is 4 °C in
Polish lakes in summer. It is best, therefore, to dive in lakes in
warm, dry diving suits and not in wet suits.
Diving in caves is an extreme sport, accessible to only a few. A
cave diver must be highly resistant to stress and undergo long
training in all the skills needed in this discipline. The best spots for
cave diving are found in the Tatra Mountains (southern Poland):
Miętusia Cave (siphons up to 70 meters deep), Snieżna Studnia
(the Snow Well Cave) up to 33 m, Wielka Śnieżna Cave (to 15 m),
Kasprowa Niżna Cave (to 24 m) and Bystra Cave (to 28 m).
The lake (surface 36 ha) is situated in a flooded opencast silicate
mine. It is 40 m deep. The bottom of the lake drops vertically and
an underwater forest of trees between which only courageous
divers swim, can be seen in the emerald water. On the steep
shores of the lake you can find traces of Jurassic fauna, fossil
brachiopods, snails and sea urchins.
In the deepest Polish lake (over 108 m) with crystal clear water
(visibility to 30 m) there are underwater rock walls with tiny caves
inhabited by burbots – a fish with a ‘mustache’. The reservoir is
for experienced divers only.
Diving in a mine
Białe Filipowskie Lake
An artificial reservoir has been formed in an old opencast dolomite
mine. There are two giant mining diggers under the water forming
an underground obstacle course. Diving here requires experience
and can be performed only with instructors from the Diving Center at this popular reservoir.
A mountain, crystal clear lake in the lowlands. This is a lake for
those who need to dive in quiet places where only anglers and
colourful aquatic birds are encountered. This post-glacial lake has
a steep shore line making it easy to descend. A private diving
school is located nearby. Length: 3 km, breadth: max 700 meters, average depth 17 m.
• www.nurkomania.pl/nurkowisko_biale_filipowskie.htm
(Rybaki, Olsztyn Lake District)
www.underwater.pl
Łańskie Lake
(near Suwałki, north-western Poland)
www.nurkomania.pl
www.nurkomania.pl
Jaworzno-Szczakowa (80 km west of Krakow)
The lake, located in the vicinity of resorts, is very pure and is up to
50 m deep. Under the careful eye of instructors you can dive from
the shore, a boat and participate in exciting night diving.
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LET’S GO DOWN TO THE BOTTOM OF THE LAKE
(Suwałki Lake District, north-eastern Poland)
Underwater
Hańcza Lake
(Szczecin Lake District)
www.underwater.pl
www.nurkomania.pl
LET’S GO DOWN TO THE BOTTOM OF THE SEA
Underwater
www.underwater.pl
4. Tatry
5
1. Zatoka Gdańska
1
3
2. Mazury
In the mountains and hills of southern
Poland – Sudetes, Beskids and Tatra
mountains – there are excellent conditions
for aerial sports: gliding, hang gliding,
paragliding and parachuting. The scenery is
beautiful and the air is fresh as you float
down gently. There are aero club airfields
belonging to training centers in the various
disciplines in many towns in the foothills. In
central and northern Poland (Masuria,
Pomerania and Greater Poland) the gentle
hills and good thermals guarantee first-rate
flying for experienced and beginner pilots.
Polish glider pilots have won the highest
awards in international competitions with
light-craft pilots for many years world
champions in precision flying. Many of them
work at aero club airfields which offer scenic
flights and flying courses. A flight with a
world champion – it’s worth a try.
3. Bieszczady
1. Szybowcowa Mountain
2. Żar Mountain
lighter than air
Szybowcowa Mountain
The mountain from which a panoramic view of the Jelenia Góra
Valley spreads is a place where many flying events and glider,
paraglider and hang glider meetings are held, with excellent conditions for aerial sports – the famous ‘Karkonosze wave’, strong
thermals, lee waves, ridge lifts, above the Sudetes Mountains. On
the slopes of Szybowcowa Mountain there are good conditions
for launching and landing for beginners and experienced airmen.
The season lasts from May to September.
• www.srebrna-gora.pl
2. Masuria
3. Kisajno Lake
4. Zemborzycki Bay
4
falling in tandem
(761 m, Żywiec Beskids Mountains)
A bird’s eye view & a pilot’s perspective
Żar Mountain
To start your adventure with parachuting you don’t need to have
the skills of a jet pilot. Almost anyone can jump with a parachute
(the first time with the assistance of an experienced instructor).
You need to meet certain requirements and complete a short
training course at one of the numerous airfields at aero clubs in
Poland with these services. Pleasure parachute flights pulled by
speed boats, terrain vehicles or quads may be excellent preparation for parachute jumps. Popular pulled-parachuting centers can
be found in Sopot and other towns in the Bay of Gdańsk, in Masuria, by Kisajno Lake and near Lublin at Zemborzycki Bay.
• www.lotniskoketrzyn.pl
• www.parasailingcenter.pl
• www.parasail.pl
• www.skyadventure.pl
• http://skydiveatmosfera.com
• www.skokispadochronowe.com.pl
Żar Mountain in the vicinity of the Żywieckie and Międzybrodzkie
mountain lakes and Żywiec Beskids guarantees excellent conditions for aerial sports. There are foot launch areas for hang gliders
on the mountains to the west and to the north. One of the best
known and popular glider training centers in Poland is situated
here. Many aviation clubs use their services when organizing
courses and events for enthusiast of sailing the skies.
• http://lotniczapolska.pl/Zar-kolebka-polskiego-szybownictwa,142
The Bieszczady Mountains and
surrounding areas
The lay of the land here favours gliding, hang gliding and paragliding. Courses for gliders pilots and parachutists are organized at
airfields belonging to aero clubs in Krosno and Brzemiechowa.
Parachutists often jump with a drop zone over the nearby Solina
Mountain Lake. This area has been chosen not only for its favorable weather conditions but also for the magnificent views of the
Eastern Carpathian Mountains where the borders of three countries meet: Poland, Slovakia and Ukraine.
• www.aeroklub-podkarpacki.pl
• www.7fly.pl
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FALLING IN TANDEM
• www.azl.pl
• www.lotnie.pl
• www.aeroklubpolski.pl/aerokluby_regionalne
LIGHTER THAN AIR
A bird’s eye view & a pilot’s perspective
(561 m, Karkonosze Mountains, near Jelenia Góra)
1. Gdańsk Bay
www.ParasailingCenter.pl
2
Republic of Poland
Customs regulations
Area: 312,000 sq km. Location: Central Europe. Poland borders on Germany, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Ukraine, Belarus, Lithuania, and Russia. Its
northern border – 500 km long – runs along the Baltic
Sea coast. Population: 38,000,000. Flag: White and
red. Official language: Polish. Capital city: Warsaw.
Other major cities: Łódź, Krakow, Wrocław, Poznań,
Gdańsk, Szczecin, Katowice, Lublin. Climate: Temperate, the average temperature in July is 19°C (67°F),
but there are many summer days when temperatures
rise to 30°C (86°F). The best time of the year for practicing winter sports is between January and March.
Customs rules and procedures are similar to those
prevailing in the majority of EU countries.
Detailed information is available from the Ministry of
Finance, tel. +(48-22) 694 31 94, www.
mf.gov.pl
Air
Several airports operate in Poland in the following cities: Warsaw, Krakow, Gdańsk, Katowice, Łodź,
Poznań, Rzeszów, Szczecin, Wrocław and Bydgoszcz. LOT Polish Airlines is Poland’s national carrier. In order to find the necessary information, all
travellers planning to come to Poland and move
around the country by air should visit the LOT website: www.lot.com. In addtition, several other carriers,
including budget airlines such as Easy Jet – www.
easyjet.com, Germanwings – www.germanwings.
com, WizzAir – www.wizzair.com, Ryanair – www.ryanair.com, Norwegian – www.norwegian.no, Aer Lingus – www.aerlingus.com
Public holidays and work-free days
Non working days are Sundays, Saturdays, and the
following holidays: New Year’s Day (Jan. 1st), the
Easter (Easter Sunday and Monday are moveable
holidays), Labour Day (May 1st), the anniversary of
the Constitution of May Third (May 3rd), Corpus
Christi (Thursday, movable feast), Feast of the Assumption (Aug. 15th), All Saint’s Day (Nov. 1st), National Independence Day (Nov. 11th), Christmas
Holidays (Dec. 25th and 26th).
Train
Poland has a well-developed rail network. Major
Polish cities are interconnected by Intercity
express trains running between European cities. The
national railway network is administered
and serviced by the Polish State Railways (PKP). All
necessary information can be found on the PKP
website: www.pkp.pl, www.intercity.pl, www.rozklad-pkp.pl and tel. +48 42 194 36
Where to stay?
All hotels are classified and their categories range
from inexpensive to luxurious.
• Rooms can be booked by telephone or Internet:
www.discover-poland.pl,
www.hotelsinpoland.com, www.polhotels.com,
www.hotelspoland.com, www.polhotel.pl,
www.warsawshotel.com, www.visit.pl,
www.orbisonline.pl, www.pph.com.pl
• Many historic and old buildings
(palaces, castles, manors, mills) were adapted
for tourist purposes
– tel./fax +(48 22) 646 91 50,
[email protected], www.hhpoland.pl
• Booking of rural B&B accommodations:
tel. +(48-52) 398 14 34,
mobile +(48-602) 459 137,
www.agritourism.pl,
www.agroturystyka.pl, [email protected]
• Youth hostels:
tel. +(48-22) 849 81 28, fax 849 83 54,
www.ptsm.org.pl
• Camping:
tel./fax +(48-22) 810 60 50,
www.pfcc.eu
• Polish Tourist Country Lovers’ Association:
www.pttk.pl
Bus
Any place in Poland can be easily reached by an extensive network of national and local roads. Coach
services are operated throughout the year throughout the year by the state and private bus companies
across the country.
Taxi
Taxi stands are marked with the TAXI sign. Taxis can
best be booked by phone. Higher rates are charged
for travel out of city limits, on Sundays and holidays;
a special night fare is applied between 10 pm and 6
am.
Trafﬁc regulations
They are compatible with the rules in the EU countries. The relevant speed limits on Polish roads are:
• 50 km/h for all vehicles in built-up areas
• 90 km/h on lane roads;
• 110 km/h on expressways
• 130 km/h on motorways
Headlights must be switched on at all times while
driving.
INFORMATION
How to Pay?
Practical
Branches of the Polish Tourist Organisation Abroad
The Polish currency is the zloty (PLN). You can pay
using other currencies e.g. Euro, after you have come
to an agreement with the vendor, but this is not always the case. Most transactions are done in zloty.
Money can be changed at banks or exchange
counters (Kantor). Credit cards are accepted in most
shops and for services in the whole of Poland. Cash
dispensers of the different banks are available 24/24
in cities and towns. The official money is the zloty divided into 100 groszy. Polish money is in circulation
as coins and banknotes. Coins: 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, 50
groszy and 1, 2, 5 zloty. Banknotes: 10, 20, 50, 100
and 200 zlotys.
Useful telephone numbers
The nationwide toll-free 24 hour emergency phone
numbers include:
• Ambulance 999
• Fire Brigade 998
• Police 997
• Mobile Phone Holders Assistance 112.
• Tourists can use the following emergency number
in operation during the whole summer season:
0-800 200 300, +48-608 599 999.
40
Stockholm
Moskva
Amsterdam
Varsovie
London
Berlin
Kiev
Paris Brussel
Wien Budapest
New York
AUSTRIA – Vienna
tel. +(43-1) 524 71 91 12, fax 524 71 91 20
www.polen.travel; [email protected]
BELGIUM – Brussels
tel. +(32-2) 740 06 20, fax 742 37 35
www.pologne.travel; [email protected]
Madrid
FRANCE – Paris
tel. +(33-1) 42 44 29 92, fax 42 97 52 25
www.pologne.travel; [email protected]
GERMANY – Berlin
tel. +(49-30) 21 00 920, fax 21 00 92 14
GREAT BRITAIN
– London
tel. +(44-0) 300 303 1812, fax 300 303 1814
www.poland.travel; [email protected]
HOLLAND – Amsterdam
tel. +(31-20) 625 35 70, fax 623 09 29
HUNGARY – Budapest
ITALY – Rome
tel. +(36-1) 269 78 09, fax 269 78 10
www.lengyelorszag.travel; [email protected]
Roma
Tokyo
tel. +(39-06) 482 70 60, fax 481 75 69
www.polonia.travel; [email protected]
JAPAN – Tokyo
SPAIN – Madrid
RUSSIA – Moscow
SWEDEN – Stockholm
USA – New York
UKRAINE – Kiev
tel. +(81) 3-5908-3808, fax 3-5908-3809
tel. +(34-91) 541 48 08, fax 541 34 23
www.polonia.travel; [email protected]
tel. +(7-495) 510 62 10, fax 510 62 11
tel. +(46-8) 21 60 75, fax 21-04-65
tel. +(1-201) 420 99 10, fax 584 91 53
tel. +(38-044) 278 67 28, fax 278 66 70
www.polscha.travel; [email protected]
Recommended Active Tourism Organisations in Poland
AKTIV TOURS REISEN Sp. z o.o., ul. Jaśkowa Dolina 114, 80-286 Gdańsk
AVE Polonia Incoming Touroperator, ul. Gawronów 20, 40-527 Katowice
AVENA TRAVEL, ul. Szlak 65, 31-153 Kraków
ATA Sp. z o.o., ul. Kisielewskiego 4, 80-275 Gdańsk
BUSINESS TRAVEL, Halina Hołowska, ul. Z. Nałkowskiej 4C lok. 9, 80-286 Gdańsk
EURO POL TOUR Sp. z o.o., ul. Moniuszki 7, 40-005 Katowice
EXCALIBUR TOURS, ul. Gołębia 8, 31-007 Kraków
FLY AWAY TRAVEL Sp. z o.o., ul. Przyłęcka 26, 02-402 Warszawa
GEOVITA Sp. z o.o., ul. Krucza 6/14, 00-537 Warszawa
Grupa A-05 Sp. z o.o., Pl. Na Groblach 14/2, 31-101 Kraków
GRUPA TRIP Sp.j., ul. Tetmajera 18, 34-500 Zakopane, ul. Wiślana 8, 00-317 Warszawa
JAN-POL, Incoming Tour Operator Sp. z o.o., ul. Misiołka 8, 31-525 Kraków
PUHP „JUNIOR” S.C., Biuro Podróży, ul. Stołeczna 25, 15-349 Białystok
Biuro Turystyki KALINKA, ul. Marszałkowska 115, 00-102 Warszawa
KONTYNENTY Sp. z o.o., ul. Widok 18, 00-023 Warszawa
Biuro Turystyczne KRAKUS, Rynek Główny 30, 31-010 Kraków
MAZURKAS TRAVEL, Biuro Podróży Sp. z o.o., Al. Wojska Polskiego 27, 01-515 Warszawa
POLAND TOUR, ul. Marszałkowska 43/14, 00-648 Warszawa
PROMENADA S.J., Jacek Ubik, Jerzy Ubik, ul. Kościuszki 44/2, 30-105 Kraków
T.T. RICARDO – JUNIOR, ul. E.Plater 12/15, 00-669 Warszawa
SINDBAD, Prywatne Biuro Podróży, ul. Rynek 8, 45-015 Opole
SKORPION Biuro Obsługi Turystycznej, Alicja Wrona, ul. Zagrzebska 3, 51-206 Wrocław
SPORTS-TOURIST Sp. z o.o., ul. Marszałkowska 84/92, 00-514 Warszawa
STAYPOLAND Sp. z o.o., ul. Miła 2, 00-180 Warszawa , ul. Plac na Stawach 1, 30-107 Kraków
Bankowe Biuro Podróży, TRAVELBANK Sp. z o.o., ul. Waliców 11, 00-851 Warszawa
TRAVEL DESIGNERS Sp. z o.o., ul. K. Wóycickiego 7 B lok. 3, 01-938 Warszawa
TRAVEL PLUS Sp. z o.o., ul. Szeroka 50-51, 80-835 Gdańsk
TRAVEL-PROJEKT Sp. z o.o., ul. Grochowska 278, 03-841 Warszawa
ST TURYSTA, ul. Solskiego 2, 32-600 Oświęcim
VARSOVIA-TOURS Sp. z o.o., ul. Wałowa 4, 00-211 Warszawa
WEISS – TRAVEL, Agencja Turystyczna Karoliny Gusowskiej-Weiss, ul. Mścibora 62/9, 61-062 Poznań
tel. (48 58) 344 38 80, 344 38 79
tel. (48 32) 205 38-30
tel. (48 12) 633 11 34
tel. (48 58) 341 48 85 , 341 40 31
tel. (48 58) 347 64 15
tel. (48 32) 253 02 07
tel. (48 12) 421 05 77
tel. (48 22) 332 77 77, 332 77 36
tel. (48 22) 583 52 11
tel. (48 12) 429 62 23
tel. (48 18 ) 20 20 200
tel. (48 12) 665 14 50, 665 14 51
tel. (48 85) 744 43 26, 741 57 20
tel. (48 22) 620 53 75
tel. (48 22) 828 11 88
tel. (48 12) 432 31 20
tel. (48 22) 536 46 00, 536 46 01
tel. (48 22) 499 65 16
tel. (48 12) 427 24 93, 427 17 70
tel. (48 22) 621 55 33, 621 47 47
tel. (48 77) 402 13 13, 402 13 14
tel. (48 71) 345 44 45
tel. (48 22) 621 11 62, 870 09 33
tel. (48 22) 351 22 22, 351 22 01
tel. (48 22) 654 35 25
tel. (48 22) 889 55 40, 744 52 85
tel. (48 58) 346 31 18, 301 96 02
tel. (48 22) 870 76 00
tel. (48 33) 84 243 76, 84 227 19
tel. (48 22) 536 75 70, 536 75 60
tel. (48 61) 65 33 650
www.aktivtours.com.pl
www.ave.turystyka.pl, www.ave-polonia.eu
www.avenatravel.pl
www.atatravel.com.pl
www.business.travel.com.pl
www.europol.com.pl
www.excaliburtours.pl
www.flyawayincentive.pl
www.geovita.pl
www.a05.pl
www.trip.pl
www.janpol.com
www.bialowieza.net.pl
www.kalinka.pl
www.kontynenty.com.pl
www.krakus.com.pl
www.mazurkas.com.pl
www.polandtour.pl
www.promenada.pl
www.ttricardo.com.pl
www.sindbad.pl , www.sindbad.eu
[email protected]
www.sports-tourist.com.pl
www.staypoland.com
www.travelbank.com.pl
www.traveldesigners.pl
www.travelplus.com.pl
www.travel-projekt.com.pl
www.turysta.oswiecim.pl
www.varsovia-tours.pl
www.weiss-travel.com
GB
Publisher: Polska Organizacja Turystyczna/ Polish Tourist Organisation, 00-613 Warszawa, ul. Chałubińskiego 8, tel. +48-22 536 70 70, fax +48-22 536 70 04, e-mail: [email protected], www.pot.gov.pl
Editor: Art Rodar s.c. Witold Krysiak, Dorota Rostek; www.artrodar.pl; Graphic layout: Art Rodar, Małgorzata Rodek; Text: S. A. Pacuła; Translation: Z. Nowak-Solinski;
Photogrphs: D. Bartoszewski, A. Błaszczyk, R. Ejchler, P. Florek, P. Hołyś, M. Kałużny, S. Kapciak, M. Moczko, M. Modrzewska-Lewczuk, L. Nazdraczew, P. Olejnik, M. Olszewski, J. Podrucki, D. Rostek, K. Stępień,
A. i R. Tomczyszyn, M. Wiśniewski, T. Zakrzewski, ZA, East News, Flash Press Media, TravelPhoto; Archives: www.gory-szlaki.pl, SFPDN – www.bojery.pl, www.golf.krakow.pl, www.mazurygolf.pl, www.ojcow.pl,
www.ParasilingCenter.pl, www.underwater.pl, www.nurkomania.pl, www.sowa.pl, POT Archives.

Poland

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