Poland is large, diverse, and surprisingly bike-friendly. In the south are the mountains of the Tatras and the Beskids, in the north the lakes of Mazury, and in the east wild, sparsely populated areas along the border. Accommodation and food are affordable, and outside the cities the roads are quiet.
Why cycle in Poland?
- Green Velo: The longest signposted cycling route in Poland, from Elbląg to Końskie through five provinces in the east. The main route is almost 1,900 kilometers; with the side routes over 2,000 kilometers.
- Mazuria: the marshland area in the northeast, with gravel roads between hundreds of lakes.
- Tatra and Podhale: the climbs around Zakopane and Bukowina Tatrzańska, known from the Tour de Pologne.
- Bieszczady: The wild southeast, with mountain meadows, forests and few people. Ideal for gravel and bikepacking.
West Pomerania: gravel just across the border
The closest part of Poland is West Pomerania, near the border with Germany. The capital Szczecin is located on the Oder river, about two hours’ drive from Berlin; by train you can get there from the Netherlands in one day. The region is half the size of the Netherlands and has many new cycling routes.
- Szczecin Lagoon Cycle Route (route 3): around the large Szczecinhaf, mostly on flat, friendly gravel through bird-rich nature. A day trip from Szczecin to Wolin is about 100 kilometers.
- Velo Baltica: the Polish part of the cycling route along the Baltic coast, with seaside resorts and long beaches.
Along the way there are covered rest areas for cyclists, and in the port towns you can eat fresh fish. Read our story West Pomerania is your next gravel destination in Poland.
Food and accommodation
Poland is affordable and the food is hearty: pierogi, soups like żurek and barszcz, and in the north fresh fish. Agrotourism (overnighting on a farm) is a good and inexpensive option in the countryside.
Tatra and the Southern Mountains
The south of Poland is mountainous. Around Zakopane and Bukowina Tatrzańska are the climbs where the Tour de Pologne often finishes, overlooking the peaks of the Tatras. A little further to the east are the Pieniny, with the Dunajec gorge, and the Beskydy: green hills with wooden churches, perfect for the race bike and gravel. Kraków is about two hours away and is a lovely place for a first and last night.
Masuria and Bieszczady
In the northeast lies Mazury, with more than two thousand lakes, forests and small villages. Quiet dirt roads and gravel roads alternate; a gravel bike with wide tires is ideal here. The extreme southeast, Bieszczady, is the wildest region in Poland: mountain meadows, bears and wolves, and very few people. Both regions are on the Green Velo.
Practical
- MoneyPoland has the złoty. Credit cards are accepted almost everywhere, even in small shops.
- Cycling paths: There are more and more good cycling paths, often built with EU funding. On main roads, there can be heavy traffic with freight vehicles.
- Train: Many regional trains carry bicycles. Handy for long distances.
Three trips to start with
- Around the Szczecina areaFrom Szczecin, via flat gravel and quiet roads through bird-rich nature, to the island of Wolin. The closest part of Poland for cyclists from the Netherlands.
- Climbing around Zakopane: short, steep climbs on the slopes of the Tatras, known from the Tour de Pologne, with views of the mountain peaks.
- Green Velo through Mazuria: a few stages of the longest cycling route in Poland, along lakes and forests, with overnight stays at farms.
For whom is Poland?
Poland is for cyclists who seek adventure and space, without having to travel far or spend a lot of money. Gravel riders and bikepackers will find endless unpaved roads in Mazury, the Bieszczady Mountains and West Pomerania. Race cyclists can climb heavily in the south. The food is hearty and cheap, and outside the high season you have the roads almost to yourself.
When are you leaving?
May to September. June and September are the best months in the mountains; the summer can be hot in the lowlands.
How do you get there?
Fly to Krakow for the Tatra Mountains, to Gdańsk or Warsaw for Mazury. With the car, the east of Poland is a long way away: expect a long day of driving or a stopover.
Sources
- Green Velo – cycling route through Eastern Poland
- Personal story: West Pomerania is your next gravel destination in Poland – Szczecin Lagoon Route and Velo Baltica
Stories
This is how we calculate: We calculate distances and travel times starting from Utrecht. Our flights always depart from Schiphol, Rotterdam The Hague Airport or Eindhoven Airport. Want to know how to travel from your place of residence the best way? Let us know, We are happy to help you. After all, we built this site together.
Are you flying? Read our guide Flying with your bike: Which airline, what the cost is and how to pack your bike.
