Pilica Cycle Route: Krakow to Warsaw

Saturday arrival in Krakow, and your first overnight stay is in a centrally located hotel. After checking in, take time to stroll through Kraków and explore its historic city centre, or get a taste of its famous nightlife.

After the bus ride to Smolec, which takes approximately one hour, we get on our bikes at the top of a hill surrounded by medieval castle ruins.

The first kilometres are downhill towards the source of the river. Continue past fish ponds, through a pretty town, with the same name as the river – Pilica – to your hotel in Zawada.

Today, flat and quiet roads run through shady forests for the most part, and you will hardly notice the kilometres flying by, on the longest leg of your tour.

The day ends in the small town of Przedborz, on the edge of Przedborz Landscape Park, a protected area with no fewer than 5 nature reserves.

Today, your route passes through tree-lined avenues, narrow fields, fragrant meadows, and gardens in full bloom.

Your hotel tonight is exceptional; it was once a Cistercian abbey and was built on the extensive grounds of a castle that dates back to the Middle Ages.

Today starts along the shores of the reservoir, and there are many spots where you might be tempted to get off your bike and go for a dip. Later on the route, the open-air museum at Piliza is well worth a visit.

You’ll also pass the largest city on your route, Tomaszów, with 30,000 inhabitants. Despite its size, a network of car-free cycle paths allows you to easily and safely navigate the city, before continuing to Spala, a popular forest health resort.

Spala lies within a forested area that has been a popular hunting and recreational area since the 19th century, firstly with the Russian Czars, and later with Polish presidents. This area also has remnants of recent history – the colossal railway bunker at Konewki was the command post ‘Anlage Mitte’ of the German military during World War II.

Tonight you will stay in the small town of Nowe Miasto, at a guesthouse located on the bank of the river.

Your final day on the bike goes past Wysmierzyce, which, with just 858 inhabitants, is considered to be the smallest town in Poland. This picturesque town has traditional wooden houses. Next, you will cycle through fields and orchards before reaching Warka, close to Warsaw.

Your final night will be spent in the four-star hotel and horse breeding farm “Sielanka”, which translates as “idyllic land”.

Warsaw is only 60 km from Warka and is easy to reach with the hourly regional train. The journey takes about 1 hour and 20 minutes.

If you wish to extend your stay, the 30-40 km round-trip from Warka to Weichseltal and the Pilica estuary is highly recommended.

Alternatively, if you fancy a change of pace and scenery, why not spend your extra day exploring the Polish capital city of Warsaw?

Arrival: Krakow

Departure: Warsaw

Nearest arrival airport(s): Krakow or Katowice

Nearest departure airport(s): Warsaw or Modlin

We also recommend travelling by train to all of our cycling holiday starting and departure points. We can help you plan your journey to Krakow by rail. Car parking is available on all tours at the first hotel or a nearby public parking location. Full details are available on request.

Please do not book travel until an official invoice confirms the cycling holiday.