Il comfort della Vistola

The Vistula is the largest river in Poland, and Krakow, located in its valley - is the biggest tourist attraction in the country. It is also the place of yet another extraordinary attraction a long-distance riverside bicycle route. It’s part of an ambitious project to create similar roads along rivers in the Małopolska region and it is the only such investment in Poland.

Built on a significant section, is a completely new construction, aimed specifically at cyclists. The path runs along the top of a few-meter high floodbank and provides a magnificent panorama. It outperforms even the popular routes of Germany and Austria due to its technical modernity. Care was also taken in regards to appropriate signs and roofed leisure areas.

The monastery in Tyniec, the monuments of Krakow and Niepołomice and the painted village of Zalipie are just some of Vistula's attractions. The entire route is full of picturesque landscapes of the Polish countryside that is comprised of a colorful mosaic of small fields, orchards and scattered farms surrounded by flowered gardens.

We invite you to come and admire this beautiful view! The route is flat and easy in a way that no other route can beat. This route is also safe for families with children. The wind is predominantly south-westerly and blows right into your back. Therefore, even 60-70 km sections can be covered without a lot of effort during any type of weather.

Day 1 (Saturday): Arrival to Krakow and Oświęcim
Participants wait  in Krakow until it is 3 o’clock. Those who come by car can leave it (free of charge) by our bicycle warehouse. We then travel by bus, to a hotel in Oświęcim. Oświęcim (Auschwitz) is associated with the dark history of the war years ,due to the concentration camps, nevertheless it is also a nice old city offering us a beautiful market square, green boulevards and a bicycle route that travels along the Soła river.

Day 2 (Sunday): Oświęcim - Tyniec   65 km cycling
Orange signposts announce the beginning of an incredible route right after crossing the bridge on the Vistula River. Its first half can be covered quickly and efficiently through the tops of the anti-flood embankments. After we reach the village of Przewóz, we are taken by a small river ferry to the Vistula’s right bank where we then sneak through narrow paths that snakes through orchards and gardens. The Tyniec Benedictine monastery built on limestone rock signals the finish line of this stage. We will then stay in a hotel right next to an artificial canoeing trail.

Day 3 (Monday): Tyniec - Kraków - Hebdów/Niepołomice   40-50 km cycling
We then enter the city of Krakow in a manner that would be fit for royalty. First we will visit the monastery in Bielany and then the towers oft he seat of Polish kings – Wawel, which look stunning from the riverside. It is possible to stay on the bank of the Vistula, for those who are not fans of  city noise, as there is a bicycle road throughout the entire urban area.  Of course, you can visit the Old Town and the former Jewish district of Kazimierz.  If you are more ambitious, you can cycle up the Kościuszko or Piłsudski mound, the hill-monuments of Polish heroes, and admire the extensive views.
We then pass the town of Niepołomice, and, in the silence of the Renaissance castle and the Niepołomicki Forest, we drive by former royal hunting grounds.We arrange accommodation in the atmospheric location of Saint Norbert's Hotel that is located in a former monastery in Hebdów. (Alternative accommodaton is a three-star hotel in Niepołomice)

Day 4 (Tuesday): Hebdów/Niepołomice - Zabawa   50-60 km cycling
The next stage is  exceptionally beautiful and almost the entire journey takes place on the brand-new asphalt that goes along  the tops of the flood embankments. We move along a flat right bank enabling us to look at the undulating hills that is comprised of  a mosaic of narrow fields and balks across the Vistula River. The river creates a few picturesque loops under the village of Morsko. The route turns south at the mouth of the Dunajec. Today’s accommodation awaits you in a cozy, little hotel in the village of Zabawa near Tarnow.

Day 5 (Wednesday): Zabawa - Solec Zdrój   45-65 km cycling
The main attraction of this stage is the village of Zalipie. It is famous all over Poland, despite the fact of being located far from the beaten track. All cottages, barns and other buildings are painted in fanciful floral patterns.
The ferry in Nowy Korczyn and avenues of impressive willows lead to the small, but popular, spa of Solec Zdroj. There are plenty of opportunities this day for those who want to go a bit crazier and go a few more kilometers on the smooth bicycle routes. The finished section of the "Velo Dunajec" bike path leads all the way to Tarnow, a medium-sized city with a historic old town, and the Vistula river route goes to the town of Szczucin.

Day 6 (Thursday): Return to Krakow or prolongation
In the morning, we offer a return by bus to Krakow, which arrives at approximately 12 o’clock. People who want to spend the next two days on a bike can drive to Busko Zdrój and the charming Nida valley. See programme details Opens internal link in current windowhere

Opens external link in new windowSee more photos

 

Tour dates in 2024:

CW-1   27.04 - 02.05
CW-2   04.05 - 09.05
CW-3   11.05 - 16.05
CW-4   18.05 - 23.05
CW-5   25.05 - 30.05
CW-6   01.06 - 06.06
CW-7   08.06 - 13.06
CW-8   15.06 - 20.06
CW-9   22.06 - 27.06
CW-10  29.06 - 04.07
CW-11  06.07 - 11.07
CW-12  13.07 - 18.07
CW-13  20.07 - 25.07
CW-14  27.07 - 01.08
CW-15  03.08 - 08.08
CW-16  10.08 - 15.08
CW-17  17.08 - 22.08
CW-18  24.08 - 29.08
CW-19  31.08 - 05.09
CW-20  07.09 - 12.09
CW-21  14.09 - 19.09
CW-22  21.09 - 26.09
CW-23  28.09 - 03.10
CW-24  05.10 - 10.10

 

Prices*:

Self-guided Tour:
Category B
5 x Hotels***

1 person sharing twin EUR 450

 
1 person in single EUR 540      

Category A:
5 x Hotels***
1 x Hotel****  (in Solec)

1 person sharing twin EUR 490

 
1 person in single EUR 590

Included in the basic price:

  •  Transport Krakow-Oświęcim and Solec Zdrój-Krakow
  • 5 nights accommodation in twin bedded rooms with shower / WC,
  • 5 x breakfast and dinner
  • Transfer of luggage from hotel to hotel
  • A set of maps outlining the route.

Not included in the price: Travel to Krakow, entry fees, private payments such as other meals, drinks and tips.

Extra night B&B in Krakow:

Hotel*** central location (Cat B):
1 Person sharing twin EUR 49
1 Person in single EUR77
Hotel**** central location (Cat A):
1 Person sharing twin EUR95
1 Person in single EUR 145

Bicycle rental (per Week): EUR 70
E-bike rental: EUR 160

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*Prices are calculated in EUR but other currencies are accepted as well. You can download a full list of USD-prices and GBP-prices. We also accept credit card payments (Visa or Mastercard).