Green Velo

This is one of the most interesting bike trails in the Roztocze region. It stretches from Lubaczów along the woods of the Polish-Ukrainian borderlands. The sights you will see along the way include old crosses, shrines and traces of former settlements. One of the biggest attractions on the trail is the UNESCO World Heritage site – a defence complex and an Orthodox church in Radruż. There is also a picturesque Horyniec-Zdrój, one of the smallest Polish health resorts. This less than 50 km-long loop consists of well-managed asphalt and forest roads. It’s an excellent option for an all-day, recreational bike trip or a more challenging and longer exploration of Roztocze if you base yourself in Horyniec-Zdrój.  The route has been marked in blue and in one direction only. For this reason, you should follow the route as recommended below.

The general route of the trail is as follows: Młodów (0.0 km) - Borowa Góra (5.2 km) - Czerwona Figura (10.3 km) - Huta Kryształowa (15.0 km) - Radruż (22.0 km) - Horyniec-Zdrój (25.0 km) - Basznia Górna (35.5 km) - Basznia Dolna (38.3 km) - Borowa Góra (41 km) - Młodów (46.2 km).

The beginning and finishing points of the route are located in the village of Młodów, in the eastern suburbs of Lubaczów, approximately 2 km from the city centre. The first section of the trail goes gently up a nice asphalt road along the forest edge, taking you to the hill called Borowa Góra. Among the many religious monuments along the way, there is also a modern construction site – a-soon-to-be swimming pool complex.  From here on, the trail gets immersed in tranquil and secluded forests on the Polish-Ukrainian borderlands. Following almost traffic-free paved roads of good quality, it takes you to a religious shrine known as Czerwona Figura. Then the route turns northwards, in the direction of the village of Huta Kryształowa. Deep in the woods, among ancient oak trees, you will find the ruins of an old Orthodox church. The site is called Sieniawka and it is worth making a special stop for.   Further on, the route heads to a beautiful and picturesque valley of the Smolinka River to reach the village which used to be famous for manufacturing unique crystal table sets, candles, chandeliers and other fine ornaments that once furnished the interiors of aristocratic manors and palaces. However, the exact location of the factory remains unknown today. And although those times are long gone, the name of the village (Polish meaning: Crystal Works) still evokes the past. After the tragic post-war turmoil, the original residents had to leave the region. The following administrators of the grounds, the collective State Agricultural Farm, left only dilapidated utility buildings behind. You will find the building of a pre-war farm distillery here, as well as a cross commemorating the abolition of feudal service, erected in 1848. Riding in the direction of the border, you will reach a 2-kilometre-long tree tunnel, once a road with a linden tree canopy. It used to be a drive leading all the way into a park and a manor house in Smolin, which was burnt down in 1944. At this point, the path joins a Green Velo route and goes almost along the very border before, after 7 kilometres, it gets to the village of Radruż with its beautiful defensive Orthodox church, recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage site. Radruż is one of the most outstanding instances of religious wooden architecture in Poland. Nearby, you will find a peaceful old cemetery with traditional stone crosses made by the craftsmen from Brusno.  From Radruż, the route takes you to Horyniec Zdrój, a health resort with numerous shops, bars and restaurants. Take your time and have some rest in the resort gardens or by the lake. The town has a great deal of history attractions so it’s worth staying for longer.  From Horyniec, the trail goes by an artificial lake to the village of Basznia Górna, which has a tourist attraction called Osada Kresowa (Eastern Borderland Settlement). The centre offers displays about the history of the region, themed workshops as well as a restaurant to sample regional food.  In the vicinity, there is another village, Basznia Górna, with interesting religious monuments. The route goes back to Borowa Góra and then to the suburbs of Lubaczów.  There are plenty of sites and attractions on the trail, so it’s advisable to plan a two-day trip. Make sure your itinerary includes the sightseeing of Lubaczów on day one and that you explore the surroundings of Horyniec-Zdrój (especially Horynieckie Nowiny with the most interesting historic sites and monuments) on day two. In this way, you can easily stay for the night in the town of Horyniec-Zdrój and have a great weekend-long cycling trip.

Points of interest along the trail:

1. Lubaczów – historic sites and monuments, market square, local museum of eastern borderlands (Muzeum Kresów)
2. Borowa Góra - numerous shrines
3. Czerwona Figura - crosses, shrines, site of a former Orthodox church in Sieniawka
4. Huta Kryształowa - ruins of a manor house, linden tree-lined driveway
5. Sieniawka River Valley, forests on the Polish-Ukrainian borderland
6. Radruż - defensive Orthodox church entered onto the UNESCO World Heritage List, cemetery
7. Horyniec-Zdrój - spa park, religious monuments, Poniński Palace
8. Basznia Górna - Eastern Borderland Settlement (Osada Kresowa), Evangelical cemetery
9. Basznia Dolna - religious monuments

The entire trail is suitable for bicycles with panniers/bike trailers. The trail uses solely roads with no motor vehicle traffic allowed or local roads with a low and very low vehicle traffic; no dangerous intersections. Recreational character. The trail of cultural heritage.

Starting point:

Młodów, Młodowska street (2 km from the centre of Lubaczów)

Finishing point:

Młodów, Młodowska street (2 km from the centre of Lubaczów)