Green Velo

Spanning just over 30 km, this blue ATR bike trail is a forest route, departing from Brzóza Królewska. It traverses the Sandomierz Forest on the west bank of the San Valley, between Leżajsk and the area around Rudnik on the San (Rudnik nad Sanem). Away from urban areas, using good roads, paths, firebreaks and other forest tracks, the trail was designed for lovers of nature. It is perfect for a leisure trip in warm weather on a summer day, as the shade provided by trees protects the cyclist from overexposure to the sun.

The general route of the trail is as follows: Brzóza Królewska (0.0 km) - Las Klasztorny reserve, intersection with a Green Velo trail (3.6 km) - “Floryda” artificial lake (7.0 km) - Jelna (11.7 km) - “Kołacznia” reserve (19.2 km) - Majdan Łętowski (22.5 km) - Łętownia railway station (27.1 km) - end of the trail in the forest (33.4 km).

The trail starts in the village of Brzóza Królewska. This is a former settlement in the forest, which cultivates folk traditions to this day and has preserved traditional architecture. According to a local legend, the names Brzóza Królewska and Brzóza Stadnicka were created after the demarcation between the royal possessions and those of the Stadnicki family. The birch trees (Pol. brzoza) along the border had the letters S (for Stadnicki) and K (for królewski, meaning royal) painted on them.  The scenic landscapes of the area were the reason to call into being the Brzóza Protected Landscape Area (Brzóźniański Obszar Chronionego Krajobrazu). It was here in the local forests in the mid 1990s that the Zerwanka Forest District started one of Poland’s first capercaillie breeding programmes in semi-natural conditions. The birds were being released in other areas of the country, saving this endangered species. This part of the forest complex lying west of Leżajsk has for centuries been called “Las Klasztorny”, i.e. “Monastery Forest”. Nearby, surrounded by swamp forest, there is a peat bog reserve known as “Suchy Łuk”. A small artificial lake has been created on the Tartakówka creek in Brzóza Królewska, with leisure infrastructure. It is located 1 km north of the trail and is a good place for a rest stop on the water. The trail continues in the direction of Leżajsk, but does not reach the city. It passes through the “Las Klasztorny” reserve, which protects the remainder of natural woods of the ancient Sandomierz Forest. For a short bit, the trail goes along a Green Velo trail that heads for Leżajsk. The ATR trail goes towards a small artificial lake called “Floryda”, a recreational lake hidden in the woods. After going around the lake, the trail continues through the forested area, heading north-west. Then it leaves the forests and goes through farmland and villages south of Nowa Sarzyna for a few kilometres. The next stop is “Kołacznia”, the smallest nature reserve in Poland. In an area of just 1000 sqm (0.1 ha), it protects the only natural site of the yellow azalea (rhododendron luteum) in Poland. It’s a plant typical of the Caucasus and Asia Minor. At this point, the trail turns to the north and crosses fields and forests to get to the railway station in Łętownia, and later comes to an end in the middle of the forest south of Rudnik. There, it connects to the green ATR trail, which you can take to return to Rudnik and then take the Green Velo trail to go back to Brzóza Królewska. Thus combined, the trip will cover almost 80 kilometres, which is quite a considerable distance. Alternatively, you can return to Brzóza Królewska taking roads via Wólka Łętowska and Wola Zarczycka – that distance is around 25 kilometres.

Points of interest along the trail:

1. The Sandomierz Forest (Puszcza Sandomierska)
2. “Las Klasztorny” reserve near Leżajsk
3. “Florida” artificial lake near Leżajsk
4. “Kołacznia” reserve

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. Trail for fans of mountain and off-road biking.

Starting point:

Brzóza Królewska, artificial lake

Finishing point:

The intersection of forest roads to the south-west of Rudnik, green ATR trail