San and Vistula Valley
Through the forests from Sieniawa to Oleszyce
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About this route
The route seems easy and short, but the forest sections give a false impression. Over 80 kilometres of forest and rural roads will impress even experienced cyclists. Moreover, the route follows the trail of the remains of the Ruthenian population, who were expelled from here after World War II, and also amongst soldiers' graves.
Practical advices
Although this route is not demanding, it is worth preparing for it properly, so that nothing surprises you at any point. Start with the most important thing, which is your helmet. A good helmet is essential for your safety. Take care also of proper lighting, both front and rear. In addition to bike lights, equip your bike with reflectors so that you are highly visible on the road.
What else is worth taking with you on a trip? Make sure to pack a sweatshirt or a rail jacket in your backpack, in case the weather changes. It is also a good idea to bring snacks to give you energy during the trip. Protein bars or energy mousses work well.
If you plan to take visit the attractions along the route, you will need to leave your bike behind in some places. To make sure it is still there after the tour, be sure to bring a bike safety device such as a U-Lock or any bicycle lock.
Dolina Sanu i Wisły
Audiodeskrypcja tekstowa
Route details
Sieniawa – Stary Dzików – SieniawaStart
- 1Sieniawa0 kmSieniawa
The Market Square in Sieniawa was established after the town was founded in 1672 as a place of administrative, representative, and commercial significance. The latter ceased to be relevant in the second half of the 20th century. The urban layout remained unchanged, only the buildings changed - few of those standing in the frontage present the Baroque style, much like the local churches. From the market square, head east on Piłsudskiego Street and continue on it. It is part of regional road no. 867. You will pass the fences of the village of Wylewa and through fields bordered by forests, you will reach Dobra. It is worth stopping there at the church, a former Greek Catholic church. The Baroque exterior appearance and distinctive features of Orthodox architecture have been preserved. Noteworthy is the unusual altar in the form of a portico resting on 4 Corinthian columns, with an architrave and a painted pediment. The paintings inside come from the iconostasis of the former church. Continue on road no. 867, but at the first junction in the forest, turn left. By the house and the building of Witoldówka Forestry, turn right. After 400 metres, turn left, and after another 700 metres, turn right and then sharply left, following the direction of the path. You will travel straight through the forest for the next 4.5 kilometres. Turn south, passing through Radawka after 200 metres, and at 15.6 kilometres into the route, at a large intersection of forest tracks, turn left. The road will wind. You will travel to the next intersection 4.5 kilometres away to turn north. Near the Soviet bunker, turn left. The road will wind again. You will pass the Gloria Victis monument commemorating the January Uprising participants from Galicia. Nearby, you will find the Białe Bagno natural habitat, described on an information board. Following the route, you will head north, passing two natural monuments on the way: oaks named Bolesław and Bartuś. Exiting the forest, you will arrive in Wola Cewkowska. Turn onto the main village street to the right to reach Cewków. En route, you will encounter the abandoned church of St. Demetrius. 600 metres past it, turn right at the fork. After the stream, you will find a stone cross with a hole from a bullet in the place of Jesus' heart. Locals say the hole is the work of a Soviet soldier who wanted to shoot at the Polish God and, having shot, was almost immediately killed by fire from a passing German plane. The statue was restored by history enthusiasts.
- 2Stary Dzików37.6 kmStary Dzików
In Stary Dzików at the entrance, you will find the abandoned masonry church of St. Demetrius. It is a beautiful building with rich window stucco work, numerous columns, and bas-reliefs on the facade. Scenes from the film "Katyń" were shot here – the church played the role of a similar building in Kozielsk. Pass the church located nearby and exit via Kościuszki Street to the southeast. You will pass straight through Nowy Dzików, sticking to the main road. You will enter a forest, in the middle of which you will find the Horaj glade and a chapel. A little further lies an unidentified soldier of the 21st Mountain Infantry Division, who fell during retreat battles. Using Gen. Kustronia Street, named after the commander of the aforementioned large unit, you will reach Oleszyce. Turn right at the roundabout and after 100 metres turn left onto regional road no. 867. En route, you will pass another trace of the Ruthenian population that was expelled from here – the abandoned masonry church of the Protection of the Most Holy Mother of God. The building is still in good condition and has retained all the external elements characteristic of a church. The road will delve into the forest for about 8 kilometres and emerge in Wola Mołodycka. In the village, you will find a monument dedicated to the fallen Soviet partisans and a small, fenced cemetery from World War I. Via road no. 867, you will again enter the forest for about 9 kilometres. At the familiar junction, stay on the left side. You will then pass through the villages of Dobra and Wylewa. By Piłsudskiego Street, you will return to the market square in Sieniawa.
- 3Sieniawa82.6 kmSieniawa
Your trip ends near the starting point.
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