Cycle Trail of the Eagles’ Nests (Małopolska section)

Tourist routes

Na pierwszym planie kamienista droga i most z drewnianymi barierkami prowadzący do wieży z czerwonym dachem, z bramą wjazdową. Obok po lewej ruiny budynku. Po prawe od bramy mur obronny i wysokie skały z ruinami dwóch okrągłych baszt. Wokół dużo zieleni i na błękitnym niebie opromieniona przez zachodzące słońce chmura.

Scale of difficulty: For intermediates
Types of trails: Cycle
Length of trail: 89,1

Kraków Tourist region: Jura Krakowsko-Częstochowska, Kraków i okolice

The Trail of the Eagles’ Nest is a must-see for every fan of cycling. One of the oldest and most beautiful Polish tourist routes, connecting Kraków with Częstochowa, it winds through the corners of the Kraków-Częstochowa Upland along the 14th-century defensive line built according to the idea of King Casimir the Great.

It is precisely the remains of castles and fortresses that are the biggest attraction of the Trail of the Eagles’ Nest, from which, by the way, it took its name. Strongholds were erected in nearly inaccessible locations on limestone outcroppings, from where they dominate the surrounding area. The whole trail laid out in 1999 is 190 km (86 km of the Małopolska section) of a difficult bicycle route through varied, often sandy terrain at various elevations. The trail is very well maintained and marked and the sandy parts are hardened, however we recommend using a bike with wide tyres (mtb / trekking / gravel). Along the way, you’ll find numerous rest stops with information boards and mileage signs.

Maximum elevation: 464 m a.s.l.

The lowest point on the route is 207 m a.s.l.

The route runs through the following protected areas:

Landscape parks: Eagles’ Nests Landscape Park, Dolinki Krakowskie Landscape Park, Tenczyn Landscape Park

Reserves: Eliaszówka Valley

Natura 2000: Jurassic Valleys, Jaroszowiec, Czerna, Krzeszowice, Mid-Jurassic Retreat

44% of the route runs through forested areas.

Tourist attractions: Wooden Villa of 1896 (Zabierzów), Carmelite Museum in Czerna (Krzeszowice), Krzeszowice Land Museum (m. Krzeszowice), Potocki Palace in Krzeszowice (m. Krzeszowice), Vauxhall Palace (m. Krzeszowice), Rabsztyn Castle (Olkusz), Tenczyn Castle (Krzeszowice), Bydlin Castle (Klucze).

Natural attractions:

Natura 2000 – Czerna, Natura 2000 – Jurassic Valleys, Natura 2000 – Jaroszowiec, Natura 2000 – Krzeszowice, Natura 2000 – Mid-Jurassic Retreat, Eliaszówka Valley Nature Reserve, Racławka Valley Nature Reserve, Ruskie Góry Nature Reserve, Skała Kmity Nature Reserve, Smoleń Nature Reserve, Dolinki Krakowskie Landscape Park, Eagles’ Nests Landscape Park, Tenczyn Landscape Park. 44% of the trail runs on roads without vehicular traffic.

The areas through which the trail goes have been proposed for inclusion on the UNESCO World Heritage List.

Route details

Kraków – Szczyglice – Kleszczów – Brzoskwinia, Rudno – Tenczynek – Krzeszowice – Czerna – Paczółtowice – Racławice – Kolonia Podlesie – Zawada I – Zimnodół – Olkusz – Rabsztyn – Jaroszowiec – Golczowice – Cieślin – Bydlin – Krzywopłoty – border with Śląskie voivodeship – (Częstochowa)

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