Green Velo

This recreational bike trail, laid out in the Narew Valley between Góra Strękowa and the nearby villages, is not very long (21 km). It is fairly well marked and has a good surface. The trail is a great place for a short bike ride or a trip with children, it is also recommended for lovers of nature. The local roads which it uses are virtually free of any car traffic.

The general route of the trail is as follows: Strękowa Góra (0.0 km) - Giełczyn (8.0 km) - Laskowiec (13.9 km) - Narew in the village of Zajki (21.1 km).

The trail starts in Strękowa Góra, next to the environmental education centre (Ośrodek Edukacji Ekologicznej). From there, it goes north and after the bridge over the Narew it turns west. In the area of the village of Giełczyn, from the trail one can see hills on the other side of the river. These were the site of Polish defence points in September 1939. The former bunker is now a memorial site with the tomb of Captain Władysław Raginis, the commander of defence of the redoubt.

The trail makes a loop, returning to the vicinity of Strękowa Góra through the locality of Laskowiec, which has a small regional museum. The land it goes through is almost flat, used for agriculture. Not far from here begins the area of the Biebrza Valley swamps, protected as a national park. Along the way, with a little luck, you can meet representatives of the local fauna, including the moose, referred to as the “King of the Biebrza”. In the warm months, you can almost certainly encounter storks and many other species of birds.

Leaving Laskowiec, the trail continues toward the east to get closer to the Narew Valley wetlands. The river winds scenically near the trail, and the trail takes you through the small village of Zajki to the site of a wooden bridge at the bank of the Narew, currently closed. On the other side, you can see the road that the Green Velo trail takes towards Strękowa Góra. There is a small natural beach here, which can be used for a rest stop. You can continue the trip using side roads to Tykocin along the Podlaskie White Stork Trail, or return to Góra Strękowa.

Points of interest along the trail:

1. Strękowa Góra - environmental education centre, point of defence from September 1939
2. The Narew and Biebrza Valley - landscape of fields, meadows and marshes
3. Traditional wooden construction and roadside shrines

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 of outstanding natural beauty.

Starting point:

Strękowa Góra, environmental education centre

Finishing point:

Łaś-Toczyłowo, closed wooden bridge over the Narew