Green Velo

The Karczówki-Białogon Bike Trail is one of the cycling routes marked in the city Kielce, running from the city centre to the suburban areas. It is signposted in black, and it has a length of only 3 kilometres, connecting Karczówka Hill with the industrial district of Białogon. Karczówka Hill and the towers of the monastery and the church located on the top represent landmarks of the Kielce panorama. This hill rises to 339 meters and is in the Kadzielniański Range located in Kielce, part of the Świętokrzyskie Mountains. It is formed of limestone and covered with pine trees. On the slopes of the mountain, lead and limestone ores were mined. Here and there, there are still traces of mining works from centuries ago.

The Karczówka monastery was built in the early 17^th century. Despite its defensive character, it was plundered by the Swedish armed forces during the Polish-Swedish war known as the Deluge, but the equipment was reconstructed and today the entire complex is of a historic character. The monastery is managed of by the Pallottines, and it offers, among other things, hotel accommodation.

The trail starts at the foothills of Mount Karczówka, by the road running to the former Bernardine monastery, to which runs the red trail, which also runs towards the city centre. The trail moves away from the hill towards the Białogon district. It runs along an asphalt road, then on concrete slabs and ground, through a residential area, built up with old, wooden houses. It runs along the foothills of the forested Mount Brusznia. A panorama of the city of Kielce, east of the route, is visible from the trail.

The route runs to the Kielce district called Białogon. The history of this part of the city is interesting and little known. Located on the Bobrza River, the settlement gained industrial significance from 17^th century onwards. Industrialization was driven by the availability of metal ores extracted from the surrounding hills and access to hydropower produced by the Bobrza River flowing in the ravine. Copper and lead smelters were built, followed by a cast iron foundry. In the early 19^th century, an industrial housing estate was established, whose star layout has survived to date and is protected. It was not until the 1960s that Białogon was incorporated into the city of Kielce. To date, industrial plants are operated here, continuing the centuries-old tradition.

The trail ends at the wooden church of the Transfiguration of our Lord dating back to the beginning of the 20^th century, with a style similar to the Zakopane temples on which it was modelled. From here you can continue the trip along the Green Velo trail, cycling towards Chęciny and Miedzianka or return to the city of Kielce along the red bike trail.

Points of interest along the trail:

1. Karczówka - monastery, vantage point
2. Białogon - a historic industrial district, a wooden church of the Transfiguration of our Lord in the Zakopane style

The entire trail is suitable for bicycles with panniers/bike trailers. The trail runs only on roads without road traffic or on local roads with a low and very low volume of road traffic; no dangerous intersections. The trail is especially recommended for families with children and children's trailers. A recreational trail.

Starting point:

Kielce, intersection of Bernardyńska and Grabinów streets

Finishing point:

Kielce, the intersection of Kolonia and 761 streets