Bicycle routes

The black route "In the Barycz Valley" is a linear route, marked in the field and on maps in black. It runs from north to south (or vice versa), linking Jutrosin in southern Greater Poland, with Krośnice in the Barycz Valley. The route is very scenic, leading through the Cieszkow Hills into the Barycz Valley to reach the finish at the Krośnice Hills. It requires good stamina, with several climbs along the route in the vicinity of Cieszków and Krośnice. But the beautiful views and numerous attractions, the desolate route, compensate for the few hardships.

The downside is undoubtedly the unfavourable conditions for accessing the trail by train. Therefore, we encourage you to ride this route as part of your stay in the Barycz Valley. Long-distance cyclists may wish to take the train to Rawicz, Miejska Górka or Krotoszyn to reach the trail. This is between 15 and 25 additional kilometres.

The Border Ditch Valley (also known as the Silesian Ditch), located between Jutrosin and Cieszków, is one of the more desolate corners of the wider Barycz Valley region and the Wielkopolska-Dolnośląskie borderland. There are many places here referring to the pre-war border between the German Reich and Poland (the current provincial border is a former state border): in Cieszków, Marchwice, Sędraszyce one can encounter characteristic buildings of former border guards or barriers. A keen eye can also spot the differences between the post-German architecture in Lower Silesia and the Polish architecture in Greater Poland.

Route in north-south direction:

(Great Poland) Jutrosin - Janowo - (Lower Silesia) Nowy Folwark - Sędraszyce - Cieszków - Zwierzyniec - Trzebicko - Nowy Zamek - Stawno - Ruda Milicka - Niesułowice - Wąbnice - Wierzchowice - Krośnice

Former border watchtower in Sędraszyce, now a residential building. Similar buildings are located in Cieszków and Marchwice.

WORTH SEEING:

Jutrosin - market square with town hall, Holy Cross church

Jeziora - it is worth going 1 km towards the village, where there is a folk, multi-figure wooden cross from around 1850, made by Franiszek Nowak from Raszewo.

Marchwice - a small hamlet, a former border watchtower, which is now a residential building.

Cieszków - the building of the former border watchtower, located on the border between the municipalities of Cieszków and Zduny, on the national road No. 15, before World War II it was the border between the German Reich and Poland.

Zwierzyniec - in the forest by the trail a natural monument - a magnificent oak called Bartek and next to it a parking place, Marek's shelter and a place for a bonfire.

Trzebicko - the wooden church of St. Matthias the Apostle, a Class 0 monument of sacral architecture, dates back to around the 17th century. According to legends, the original church, the predecessor of the current one, was built on the site of a pagan cult. The present church is surrounded by "sobotas" and the early Baroque furnishings have been preserved inside. Opposite the church, the ruins of the palace of the former owners of Trzebicko - the Bockelbergs - can unfortunately only be viewed from the street, as its technical condition is in danger of collapse.

Nowe Grodzisko - traces of the Hochbergs' castle destroyed during the 7-year war (on the left, just after the bridge over the Barycz River, you need to take a good look, as no signposts inform about the former castle, only a slight rise and earth fortifications are visible in the trees).

Stawno - a fishing village inhabited by employees of the Milice Ponds SA. The massive brick granaries are visible in the depths. From Stawno to Nowe Grodzisko, there is a very popular hiking and cycling route, called the 'dyke', with educational boards and birdwatching stations for the birds that live in the ponds located on both sides of the dyke.

 In the past, images of carp were only found at fishing establishments. In Stawno it still stands. Today, there are colourful carps by many attractions in the Barycz Valley.

Ruda Milicka - bird village, Gajówka (you have to turn left off the trail, in the direction of Milicz - but it's worth it! it is a building from 1812, the oldest with a half-timbered structure in the Barycz Valley).

Wąbnice - neo-Baroque burial chapel of the von Hochbergs, impossible to visit due to its poor technical condition.

Wierzchowice - for fans of cycling and Ryszard Szurkowski we suggest visiting and reflecting on the Master's grave, in the parish cemetery.

Krośnice - Krośnicka Kolejka Wąskotorowa (Narrow-Gauge Railway), Anna Vineyard (numerous tasting events take place there), soon the Museum of Ryszard Szurkowski will be open (spring 2024)

WHERE TO EAT: We recommend Bicycle Friendly Places!

Cieszków - Teo restaurant

Średzina - 'U Bartka' Fish Fry

Nowy Zamek - 'Hubertówka' restaurant

Stawno - 'Na Grobli' Fish Fry (seasonal)

Ruda Milicka - 'Cafe stop' (seasonally)

Niesułowice - 'W Starym Młyn' restaurant

Krośnice - Bar on the Krośnicka Narrow Gauge Railway and Karczma Zuzanna

 The Barycz Valley is full of fish, we invite you to enjoy carp and trout.

 ELEVATION PROFILE OF THE ROUTE:

Want a gpx? Download under the map or contact us: biuro@dkr.travel.pl

Need help organising a stay for a group?   Contact us: biuro@dkr.travel.pl

If you are interested in helping us plan and prepare your group's stay and in being accompanied by a local guide who will tell you about the region's attractions and take you to the most interesting places, please contact us. (Paid offer, please contact us by e-mail without obligation). We provide certified guides, available during the week and at weekends, who also speak English or German.