Seeing the sights of the world from the back of a bicycle is a very popular and healthy way of traveling. In Poland there are suitable routes at the seaside, in the Lake District, in national and landscape parks, routes leading to mountain peaks and down winding ravines and valleys and around big cities.

In the Polish mountains you can choose from extreme routes requiring endurance and good technique and leisurely excursion routes through forests with scenic views. In some locations there are special trails for performance downhill runs. One of the most difficult routes in the Sudetes leads from Międzygórze to Snieżnik (1425 m). It requires a good level of fitness and experience. Other popular biking trails are: 'Kowary Bypass' (near Kowary) – 33 km long, altitude difference 500 m, the Euro Regional Cycling Tourist Trail, 'Liczyrzepa', and other international biking routes leading through Poland, Czech Republic and Germany. Each trail is an altitude challenge from 500 to 1100 meters. Different parts of the Beskid Mountains – Żywiecki, Sądecki, Wyspowy, Niski – offer biking trails climbing steep mountains and gentler routes in valleys and along rivers. Some are along the most scenic pedestrian trails, around the towns of Szczyrk or Wisła. In Zawoja, a popular vacation area, the trails are difficult and demanding and you have to be at the peak of your potential. However the challenge is usually the reason for choosing the more interesting routes.

• www.rowerowakraina.com

Green Bikes in Podkarpacie Region
In the Podkarpacie Region in south-eastern Poland there are trails belonging to the network, 'Greenways' (R 61 and R 63). They are located around the international biosphere nature reserve in the Eastern Carpathian Mountains comprising national parks in three countries: Bieszczady National Park in Poland, Połoniny National Park in Slovakia and Użański National Park in Ukraine. Taking the green bike trail you will pass through the most beautiful towns, villages, landscapes and historic sites in Podkarpacie. Visiting ancient burial mounds and settlements, wooden houses and Catholic and Orthodox churches with their unique architecture will take you back 3 to 4 thousand years. During winter the green bike trail, all covered in snow, is very picturesque.

• www.wrota.podkarpackie.pl
• www.zielonyrower.pl