Green Velo

This blue bike route makes a loop around Morawica. Running through the hilly terrain of the southern edge of the Świętokrzyskie Mountains, it twice crosses the Czarna Nida Valley. Almost the whole route goes along asphalt roads, most of which have a low volume of traffic. It is varied in terms of landscape, so you’ll find yourself riding alongside lots of orchards, fields and meadows, and also visiting small forest complexes. Points of interest along the way include the churches in Lisów and Brzeziny, as well as the Pottery Tradition Centre in Chałupki.

Bilcza (0.0 km) → Zastawie (4.6 km) → Bieleckie Młyny (6.5 km) → Łabędziów (9.0 km) → Radomice II (11.5 km) → Radomice I (14.7 km) → Zaborze (18.9 km) → Lisów (21.1 km) → Chałupki (27.1 km) → Kawczyn (30.1 km) → Dębska Wola (31.7 km) → Zbrza (32.9 km) → Nida (37.8 km) → Brzeziny (41.4 km) → Bilcza (44.9 km)

• Lenght: 44.9 km
• Time: 4 hours (5-6 hours with sightseeing)
• Type: Touring, cross
• Elevation: 365 m
• 90% asphalt roads, 6% unpaved roads, 4% gravel roads
• Moderately difficult
• Marking good; blue bike trail

Getting there and starting out

A convenient place to start for those arriving by car is the car park in Bilcza, which has pedestrian/bike paths and a playground next to it. Alternatively, if you are arriving by train, the Kielce to Busko-Zdrój train stops at Brzeziny station.

Technical description

From the car park in Bilcza, the route goes towards the national road. Be particularly careful when crossing it. The other option is to take the footbridge to the other side of the road (unfortunately there is no cycle lane). The route goes through a densely built-up rural area that gradually becomes more and more sparse. In Bieleckie Młyny, go past a brick-built water mill on the Czarna Nida River and then, after Łabędziów, you will enter the largest forest section on the route. On the left-hand side, there is the grave of a soldier from the Soviet army, and slightly further along is a reconstructed German tank position, both of which are reminders of the tank battle that took place in this area in January 1945. The next stretch takes you through fields and past the scattered homes of Radomice. Once you reach Zaborze, you will pass close to the so-called Indian village, where camps for children and young people are organised every year. In Lisów, it is worth stopping at the Church of St. Nicholas, while there are also the ruins of a former manor house in the village. Next comes a fast descent down to a stream called Morawka, which you can either wade through or cross using the footbridge. As you approach the asphalt road, you are now close to the Leśne Zacisze Zoo. In Chałupki, which is famous for its centuries-old pottery tradition, there is a museum on the craft that you can visit. Ride straight ahead across the voivodeship road and under the railway bridge. Past Kawczyn, a short section follows a dirt path across a local hill. In Dębska Wola, a historic park has been preserved around the school, while in the village of Zbrza, you will pass a very interesting shrine made from parts of a tank. Cross the Czarna Nida again, passing over the footbridge to the other side. The route then goes between the houses in the village of Nida and takes a gravel road along the railway tracks. In Brzeziny, you may be interested in visiting the All Saints Church. The trail ends back at the car park in Bilcza, after you have completed about 45 km.        

Attractions along the way:

Morawica

The main attraction in the town centre is the revitalised manor park – a 19^th century English-style garden that is a charming place to relax and meet friends. Close to the national road is an over 100-year-old water mill with a granary on the Czarna Nida River, and there is also a kayaking harbour nearby. The Świętokrzyska Calvary (an open-air representation of the crucifixion of Jesus) lies on the chapel hill, while Morawica Reservoir is a popular recreation area with a number of attractions for visitors to enjoy, including a large sandy beach, a pier, a kayak and pedalboat rental point, a pedestrian/bike path around the reservoir, a rope park and several bars.

Church of St. Nicholas in Lisów

This church, with its characteristic high tower, dates back to the 16^th and 17^th centuries, although it has also been rebuilt and renovated several times during its history. The interior has a preserved 18^th century main altar as well as a number of precious chapels: the Chapel of Our Lady of Częstochowa and St. Joseph from 1912-1913, the Chapel of St. Barbara, also called the Krasiński Chapel, from 1656, and the Chapel of St. John the Baptist from the 17^th century.

Leśne Zacisze Zoo in Lisów

More than 90 animal species from six continents live in the 15-hectare area of the zoo – mainly mammals, including zebras, lions, camels and lemurs, as well as birds and impressive reptiles. There is also a playground and covered BBQ areas that visitors can use.

Lisów, ul. Wygwizdów 6, tel. +48 607 627 271, www.lesne-zacisze.net

Pottery Tradition Centre in Chałupki

In the original ceramic workshop of Józef Głuszek, you can learn about the entire pottery manufacturing process, including compacting the clay, and then carving, decorating and firing it. There is a preserved two-chamber pottery oven which you can have a look at, as well as a selection of craftsmen’s tools and an exhibition of finished products. On the last Sunday in July, the Chałupkowe Garcynki Festival is held in Chałupki, which is when members of the public can work with clay together with skilled craftsmen.

ul. Garncarska 5, tel. +48 41 311 87 02, +48 606 109 980, www.morawica.pl

All Saints Church in Brzeziny

Built in 1646, this late-Renaissance church turned out over time to be too small for the needs of the local people and was therefore extended with an added portion in the Baroque style. The 19^th century main altar has an old Byzantine painting of the Madonna and Child.