Roztocze
Roztocze is a geographical area stretching from Kraśnik in the Lubelskie Voivodeship in the west to Lviv in Ukraine in the east. Its eastern part lies in the Lubelskie and Podkarpackie Voivodeships. Roztocze’s varied terrain with its rolling hills, deep river valleys and villages and towns set among a mosaic of fields is simply breathtaking.
The Green Velo route runs through the most beautiful locations of the kingdom. Immortalised in Jan Brzechwa’s poem, the city of Szczebrzeszyn boasts many beautiful ancient buildings and a statue of a cricket, also featured in the poem. The Roztocze National Park in Central Roztocze is an area of exceptional natural beauty rich in wildlife; the Park’s headquarters are located in the town of Zwierzyniec. Southern Roztocze, bordering the dense forests of the Solska Wilderness, is home to the famous rapids and waterfalls on the small Tanew river. It also holds many nature reserves.
The entire region is connected with an extensive network of bike routes leading to the most interesting locations and attractions. It’s well worth taking the time to explore the area’s nature and culture by bike. The almost 200 km-long red Central Roztocze Cycle Route from Kraśnik to Hrebenne is fascinating and wellmarked. After the ride, take a break at the Echo ponds in Zwierzyniec or at the reservoir in Radawa in the south. Founded by the Zamojski family, Zwierzyniec has many charming landmarks, such as the church on the lake.
One of the most beautiful cities of Eastern Poland and listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Zamość is located near the trail. The stronghold is a perfect example of a Renaissance town, and its picturesque tenement houses, sacral buildings, market square and well-preserved fortifications are a must-see.
The Green Velo route runs through many pretty villages and towns, some of the most popular of which are Józefów, Górecko Kościelne and Susiec. As well as the town of Józefów itself, the nearby quarries are worth seeing, as are the waterfalls on the Sopot river in the Czartowe Pole reserve near Susiec.
The southern part of Roztocze lies on the boundary of the Lubelskie and Podkarpackie Voivodeships. The area is sparsely inhabited and famous for its natural beauty. Just in the Podkarpackie Voivodeship lies the town of Narol with the 18th-century Łoś family palace and the spa village of Horyniec-Zdrój, near the Ukrainian border. Some of the greatest attractions of the area are the wooden Orthodox churches in Radruż and Chotyniec, also listed by UNESCO. You can find more beautiful old Orthodox churches near Horyniec-Zdrój, such as those in Łowcza and Nowe Brusno.
The route continues south-west, leading towards Carpathian Hills and Przemyśl, one of the most beautiful cities along the trail. One good option is taking the connecting route east from Zwierzyniec via Biłgoraj to Nisko in the Podkarpackie Voivodeship. The trail leads almost entirely through forests, and it is a perfect alternative if you want to take the southern part as a loop or travel from Sandomierz towards Zamość. It explores the southern part of the region, or serves as a shortcut for cyclists heading towards the Świętokrzyskie Voivodeship.
