The Best Cycling Routes in Poland

Poland might not be on your list of the best cycling destinations. The neighbouring Czechia or Germany are way more popular among bicycle travellers. But if you’re looking for an off-the-beaten-path destination for your cycling holidays, with great hospitality, peaceful nature and not too hardcore climbs, you should consider Poland.

Before cycling around Europe, I did thousands of kilometres on Polish roads and trails. I cycled predominantly in the north, enjoying the tranquil forests and the peaceful Baltic coast. I also biked through the more adventurous mountain tracks in the south. 

After travelling on my bike through many other European countries, I realised Poland has a unique variety. Whether you are a beginner who wants to avoid exhausting mountain roads, a culture and history enthusiast or a real adventurer who likes to be immersed in untouched nature, your cycling holiday in Poland can guarantee you what you need.

Here are some of the most amazing bicycle routes in Poland. 

Green Velo Cycling Route

The longest marked bicycle route in Poland, with over 2000 kilometres, crosses the entire eastern flank of the country. It is not only the wildest but also the most multicultural part of Poland. 

Cycling Green Velo, you will cross the Białowieża Forest – the last bastion of European Bison, the picturesque Masurian Lake District and Biebrza National Park that will enchant you with the abundance and variety of birds. 

You will also encounter cultural diversity. On your way, you will see old orthodox wooden churches, Tatar mosques and vibrant historical cities like Zamość, Chełm or Białystok.

The Green Velo route is well-marked and can practically be cycled without a map or GPS. If you need one, though, you can access the route online. The official Green Velo website is filled with information on the attractions and events, so you can turn your cycling trip into a unique cultural experience. 

Along the route, you will encounter plenty of rest areas with wooden shelters, toilets and trash cans, where you can comfortably spend your lunch break. There are also many local shops where you can restock food and water. 

There are also many guesthouses and hotels, most offering safe shelter for the bike and sometimes even bicycle tools. You won’t have a problem finding a spot to wild camp (except for national parks and protected areas). 

The road surface is not always smooth and perfect. Green Velo often takes you on tiny hidden country roads. Some are bumpy and sandy, so I wouldn’t recommend hitting Green Velo on a road bike. 

Most of the time, you don’t need to worry about the traffic. Along busier roads, there is usually a separate bicycle lane. 

Around the Tatra Mountains

If you’re up for a challenge, you should choose cycling Around The Tatra Mountains. Encircling the highest mountains in Poland and Slovakia, the 250 km long is a good workout for your thighs and a candy for the eye.

A big chunk of the trail is on the former railroad embankment, far from the traffic. Along the route are some shelters with benches and tables and plenty of guesthouses where you can stay. The region is very touristy. If you plan to cycle around the Tatra Mountains in the high season, you might want to book a room in advance.

I recommend combining cycling with some hiking through one of the most scenic mountain ranges in central Europe. If you’re a rookie hiker, you will enjoy strolling through Chocholowska Valley or walking to Morskie Oko Lake. If you’re looking for some more challenging hikes, you can climb Poland’s highest mountain Rysy or the sharp ridge of Rohace in West Tatras. 

You can find the route map here. For more information, visit the official website of the Around The Tatras cycling route.  

Velo Baltica

The cycling route along the Baltic Sea is a perfect option for a beginner cyclist. It is flat and goes mostly through small country roads or on separate cycling lanes. 

Velo Baltica is a part of Eurovelo 10 – the Baltic Sea EV route. 

The trail is well-marked, but parts are quite sandy and may be difficult to cycle, especially on thin tires. In the summer, thousands of tourists flock to the white beaches on the Baltic Sea. If you don’t want to slalom through the crowds, plan your trip for late spring or early autumn.

Cycling Velo Baltica is a perfect opportunity to explore the exciting city of Gdańsk (don’t just stay in the old town, visit the beautiful park in Oliwa and have a drink in one of the hipster bars by the shipyard). You will also be amazed by the moving sand dunes in Łeba and the cute little lighthouses.

Vistula Cycle Route

Currently under construction, Vistula Cycle Route (pol. Wiślana Trasa Rowerowa) will connect the south with the north, from the Tatra Mountains to the Baltic Sea. Following Poland’s biggest river, the route will be 1200 kilometres long and is planned as the longest “cycling highway” in the country. 

You can cycle either on the right or on the left bank of the Vistula River, and most of the trail is separate from the traffic.

At this moment (in 2023), you can already cycle the southern and the northern part of the route. In central Poland, the trail exists only in plans, so you must improvise. This map can help find an alternative. 

You can find maps and more information here (in Polish, you can use Google Translate for an English version).

Trail of the Eagles’ Nests

The Trail of the Eagles’ Nests is one of the most famous hiking and cycling trails in southern Poland. It stretches from Częstochowa (the favourite pilgrimage place of Polish Catholics) to Kraków. It is a perfect route for you if you love medieval castles, hilly landscapes with limestone cliffs and quiet gravel routes.

The route is 190 km long, but it’s worth detouring to Ojców to see some of the most famous rock formations, like Hercules’ cudgel.

You cannot miss out on visiting Ogrodzieniec Castle, which was featured in the final episode of The Witcher.

Most of the trail consists of gravel roads. Closer to Kraków, the surface quality is declining (more stones and sand). The Eagles’ Nest cycling route is well-marked, and it’s easy to follow the trail and find the most relevant attractions. 

Did you cycle in Poland? Which routes would you recommend?