Green Velo

It is a short, very easy trail leading among small rivers’ valleys, to the north of the town of Lubaczów. The trail is marked in red, in one direction, and is only 19.5 km long. It is suitable for families, too. There are a few interesting sights along the trail, such as the remnants of old Orthodox churches, cemeteries and wayside crosses. 

The general course of the trail is as follows: Mokrzyca, Lubaczów town limits (0.0 km) - Załuże (4.6 km) - Tymce (9.3 km) - Basznia Dolna (12.7 km) - Bałaje, Lubaczów town limits (19.5 km).

Because the route has been marked only in one direction, the ride should take place in the suggested order. Starting from the centre of Lubaczów, the loop of the trail has a total length of 25 km. Strong sunlight should be taken into account on hot sunny days, as most of the trail goes through open agricultural land.   The trail starts in the village of Mokrzyca, on the border with Lubaczów. A local museum of the eastern borderlands (Muzeum Kresów) propagates knowledge about the multiculturalism of these areas. The themed exhibitions are devoted to the particular communities: Polish, Ukrainian, and Jewish, who for the most part lived together peacefully until the Second World War. The town also has a unique Roman Catholic cathedral, structurally combining the old and the new church, as well as a market square and an old Jewish cemetery. The trail goes from Mokrzyca through fields and meadows along the valley of the Świdnica River. The first village on the trail, Załuże, used to be home to an Orthodox church. You will find a few religious monuments here. Not far before the village of Tymce, there is a signpost informing about the “Jedlina” nature reserve situated within the distance of 3.5 km. As its Polish name suggests, the park protects ancient fir trees (Pol. jodła – fir), where the largest specimen measure 1 metre in circumference. The place is well worth extending your trip and visiting.  Further on, the trail takes you to Basznia Dolna, where the route turns around. You can stop for a rest in a nice park featuring an old mill. In the vicinity of the park, at the end of Szkolna street, there used to be an Orthodox church. The locality has interesting old cemeteries and old crosses (including a monumental one, commemorating the abolition of feudal service). Beautiful modern stained glass windows in the contemporary church of St. Andrew Bobola deserve special attention. Nearby, in Basznia Górna, there is an eastern borderland settlement (Kresowa Osada) which recreates old traditions and crafts. In Basznia Dolna, the trail heads back to Lubaczów along the other bank of the Świdnica River.

Points of interest along the trail:

1. Lubaczów – museum of eastern borderlands (Muzeum Kresów), market square, religious monuments
2. Załuże - site of an old Orthodox church, cemetery with stone crosses made by local craftsmen from Brusno
3. Basznia Dolna - ruins of an old Orthodox church, park, a former mill, St. Andrew Bobola’s church with interesting stained glass windows, stone crosses, monument commemorating the abolition of feudal service, shrine of St. John of Nepomuk
4. “Jedlina” natural reserve - ancient fir trees

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. The trail makes for a perfect choice for families with kids and child bike trailers. Recreational character.

Starting point:

Mokrzyca, Lubaczów town limits

Finishing point:

Bałaje, Lubaczów town limits