Poland has more than 400 castles. That number surprises most first-time visitors, who arrive expecting Kraków and leave wondering why nobody told them about Moszna, Niedzica, or the fairytale ruins of the Jura trail. The country has been fought over, rebuilt, burned, ransacked by Swedes, occupied by Germans, and somehow – against all odds – many of its finest medieval and Renaissance fortifications survived well enough to be extraordinary today.
Category: Poland Page 1 of 7
Navigating the short distance between Krakow and the historic Wieliczka Salt Mine is one of the most common logistical tasks for travelers in Lesser Poland. Located just about 12 to 15 kilometers southeast of Krakow’s Old Town, the salt mine is exceptionally accessible compared to other regional landmarks.
Bike Park Kasina, 50 km from the center of Kraków, is a place that will surely appeal to many bikers. Here, both those who like flow trails and those who prefer natural ones will find something for themselves. Both less and more experienced riders.
Spękane Skały in Miszkowice, Lower Silesia, consist of a dozen or so adjacent rock formations with plenty of easy bolted routes. Their southern exposure and high sun exposure make this a great area for cool autumn days.
Rabka Trails on Krzywoń Mountain consists of several trails, most of which are at the red level, meaning they are suitable for intermediate riders. A convenient uphill trail and interesting routes make this a place I want to return to.
Lots of features on the trails, not too steep, tables are large but not too large, and a beautiful view of the Tatra Mountains. The bike park in Białka Tatrzańska provided me with tons of great fun :)
Myślenice Singletracks is a complex of mountain bike trails on two mountains: Chełm, which can be accessed by a chairlift, and Uklejna, which requires a bike climb. In total, there are over a dozen trails, most of them at the red level. Both mountains feature plenty of rocks, so enthusiasts of riding over rocky terrain should be satisfied ;)
Beginners won’t find much for themselves at Czarna Góra, but those who train enduro and downhill at a high level should be satisfied.
As part of the Lower Silesian MTB Skill Parks project, 18 skill parks were built across the entire voivodeship in the last 2 years. Some of them are great places to learn technique for riders at various levels, but several others are just wasted money. Where is it worth going and where not, who built them, and how much did it cost?
Bad Weather? No Problem
When it’s raining outside and plans for sightseeing or strolling along Krakow’s streets are thwarted, many people wonder how not to waste precious time during their stay in the city. Fortunately, Krakow is not only Wawel, the Main Square, or the Planty Park. The list of attractions that you can visit without worrying about damp clothes or umbrellas is truly impressive.