The Barycz Valley on a bicycle

Itinerary

Day 01 | Meeting at “Hubertówka” and Dinner at “Anna” Winery

Arrival at the accommodation in the “Hubertówka” Guesthouse. After check-in, a arranged transportation will take you to the “Anna” Winery for a tour and a tasting dinner. During the dinner, there will be a premiere of a new wine, a sweet red, with its sweetness obtained thanks to natural “golden” mold. After the dinner, an organizational meeting and integration activities will take place before returning to the accommodation with arranged transportation for the overnight stay.

DAY 02 | Milicz Ponds, Ornithological Reserve, approximately 60 km

After breakfast, we embark on a full-day excursion into the field, following the two most interesting and scenic trails of the Barycz Valley – the orange and blue trails, known as the Milicz Ponds trail. We will start our journey along the orange trail, which partly follows the route of the old narrow-gauge railway. Our destination will be Ruda Sułowska, where we will visit the ornithological reserve that can only be accessed as part of a photosafari tour. For this excursion, we will temporarily switch from bikes to eco-friendly electric carts called “meleks”. After the visit, we will enjoy a meal of local fish at a nearby restaurant, and then we will head back along the blue trail, stopping by Milicz and KOM. In KOM, there awaits a unique exhibition of decorative baubles made in Milicz after the war, as well as the hall of Druh Bolek, a local activist and cycling marathon runner. For dinner and overnight stay, we will return to “Hubertówka,” renowned for its game cuisine and exceptional carp recipes. We will have dinner outdoors, surrounded by the song of nightingales, the chorus of crickets, and the croaking of frogs.

DAY 03 | Nowy Zamek – Krośnice – Nowy Zamek – visiting Świebodów and the Krośnice Narrow-Gauge Railway (approximately 60 km)

After breakfast, we will set off along the famous causeway between the ponds, passing through the bird village of Ruda Milicka, and continuing on to Wierzchowice and Świebodów, the ancestral village of the legendary Ryszard Szurkowski. We will then explore the Krośnice Hills, ascend the Gęślica Hill, and ride between the unique Krośnice ponds. Upon returning to Krośnice, we will take a ride on the Krośnice Narrow-Gauge Railway, where even Katarzyna Figura herself leaned out of a carriage in the popular film “Train to Hollywood”! After our return to “Hubertówka,” we will once again indulge in the local specialties that this restaurant is famous for – game dishes and grilled fish.

DAY 04 | Nowy Zamek – Potasznia – Joachimówka – Wróbliniec – Wodników – Trzebicko (approximately 50 km)

The fourth and final day of the visit to the Barycz Valley takes us eastward, through forested areas, fields, and meadows with very low population density. Thanks to this, we will encounter wild birds such as swans, cranes, and geese at every step, as well as wild animals, mainly deer, but with a bit of luck, we may even catch a glimpse of stags or wild boars. In the few villages along the way, we will see traces of their German past – brick houses, old manor houses, and palaces shaped like horseshoes. In Potasznia and Joachimówka, we will admire beautifully restored half-timbered and log houses, which are characteristic of this area, as well as a few buildings with claystone foundations. In the subsequent villages such as Latkowa, Ostrowąsy, and Wodników, we will witness how the post-war regime in Poland neglected the architectural heritage. In Trzebicko, one of the highest-lying villages, we will be delighted by the unique wooden church and the beautiful view of the Barycz Valley. For lunch, we will stop at the inn “U Bartka,” where locals and tourists alike enjoy a meal of local fish. After returning to “Hubertówka,” we will conclude our expedition and head back to our homes. Those who are interested can extend their stay a bit longer to spend more time in the Barycz Valley on their own, and we highly encourage it.

WoW of the tour

Milicz | Ruda Sułowska | Nowy Zamek | Niesułowice | Wierzchowice | Milicz Ponds Reserve | Anna Winery | photosafari | Ryszard Szurkowski’s ancestral sites | Narrow Gauge Railway Museum | Krośnice

Tour details

This trip is of a tourist nature. We travel light. The best type of bike for this trip would be a mountain bike, trekking bike, or cross bike with a width of 1.75 – 2.0″. We will be moving along bike paths, asphalt roads, and compacted surfaces. The daily distances we cover are approximately 60 km. We will be staying in a guesthouse. The difficulty level is rated as Level II. What does that mean? Click on this link to find out. Level II difficulty. What does this mean? Click this link.

Offer for groups of cyclists with their own bicycles

This offer is aimed at groups of cyclists. The minimum number of people required to organize such a trip is 8 individuals. Participants are required to bring their own bicycles for the trip.

Where we stay?

We have planned our accommodation at the Hubertówka Guesthouse near Milicz. We are staying in double rooms. In case of unavailability, the group will be accommodated at the Naturum Hotel in Ruda Sułowska.

How to prepare for a tour?

Ride as much as possible. In order to fully enjoy this trip, you need to be physically prepared. Therefore, before the expedition, cover similar distances to those planned. It is also essential to have a well-maintained bike, so make sure to SERVICE your bike before the trip without fail.

Map and altitude profile