Bicycle routes

!! This route ranks among the local TOP 5 !!!

The route follows the embankment of the former Milicz-Zmigród District Railway, which was built at the end of the 19th century and served initially to transport various goods and later also as a commuter railway for local residents. It was possible to use it to travel from Wrocław (Breslau) from Świebodzki Station via Trzebnica, Prusice, Żmigród to Milicz and ended its run in Sulmierzyce. The railway continued to run until the 1990s, when it was displaced by bus transport and standard-gauge railways and passenger cars. To this day many local people remember the railway with a sense of fondness.

Photo from the archives of the Wroclaw-Milicz Narrow Gauge Railway Association 

In 2004, the first 20 km of cycle path was built on the railway embankment left behind, from Sułowo to Grabownica. Currently, the road can be ridden from Nowy Dwór near Trzebnica to Grabownica behind Milicz. Further sections are planned. The cycle route leads mostly through desolate, forested areas, along the edge of fields or meadows, sometimes only entering towns (e.g. on the section Nowy Dwór pod Trzebnica - Prusice or near Milicz). But thanks to this, we can see beautiful buildings, monuments and attractions and have a close look at the local architecture (e.g. cottages or half-timbered barns).

Main towns on the route: Prusice, Sułów, Milicz.

In the section from Nowy Dwór to Prusice, the route has an "urban" character, running along public roads, passing through villages or being laid out on a public road. Leaving Prusice it goes practically all the way to Milicz through the forest, at a considerable distance from buildings and roads. It crosses the town of Milicz and continues along the edge of the forest and halfway to Grabownica, by the ponds.

In the section from Sułowo to Grabownica, the orange cycling trail of the Barycz Valley follows the route of the narrow-gauge railway and is named after Ryszard Szurkowski. Along the entire length of this section, at stopping points, there are plaques recalling the sporting achievements of the multiple world champion cyclist and Olympian, who was born and raised in the small town of Świebodów near Krośnice (in the Milicz district).

An attraction of the route are stops for cyclists stylised as railway stations, with elements of rolling stock and semaphores or barriers. On the section from Sułowo to Grabownica you can meet very photogenic colourful carp.

It is the only consistent cycle route in the region to the standard of a cycle path, comfortable and safe, and has a touristic and scenic character. Due to its simplicity, it is recommended to everyone without exception, especially families with children, beginners or those who do not like to get tired.

   Fragment of a cycle path along the narrow-gauge railway in Grabownica (currently the start or end of the route) 

            Elements of narrow gauge rolling stock at the cycling stop in Milicz

WHAT TO SEE ON THE ROUTE?

Trzebnica | Sanctuary of St. Jadwiga Śląska (can be visited)

Pawłów Trzebnicki | the first Polish primary school in Lower Silesia after the end of the war in 1945. The building also previously housed a school (can only be viewed from the outside) and the Church of St. Apostles Peter and Paul (octagonal church in the traditional local architectural style).

Prusice | historical buildings of the market square, town hall, St. Jacob's Church with the tomb of Melchior Hatzfeld, who received Żmigród and Prusice for his merits in the 30-year war (1618-1648)

Napoleon's Pillar | a 17th century border post, located at the time on the border between the free states of Żmigród and Milicz and the property of the Cistercian convent in Trzebnica, against which, according to legend, Swedish soldiers sharpened their rapiers (swords) during the Swedish Deluge. At present, the stone stands at the tri-junction of the municipalities of Trzebnica, Milicz and Żmigród.

Sułów | exhibition of narrow-gauge rolling stock, the historic Sułów Milicki station building (now a dwelling house).

Milicz | the half-timbered church of St. Andrew Bobola (the so-called Grace church) (visiting by appointment, tel. 71 383 00 29), the classicist Maltzan Palace with an English-style park (visiting only from the outside, inside there is a Forestry Technical Secondary School), the Creative Multifunctional Facility with an exhibition of a unique collection of baubles made after World War II in Milicz and a room of druh Bolek, a scout and an invalid who cycled around the world. Admission fee (approx. 5-6 PLN)

Ruda Milicka | a historic grange from 1812 (unfortunately currently in a poor state of repair, can be viewed from a distance), the oldest residential building in the region, an Evangelical cemetery.

Grabownica | viewing tower above the Grabownica pond (free access 24/7)

Napoleon's Pillar on the tri-junction of the municipalities of Trzebnica, Milicz and Żmigród on the route between Gruszczeczka and Książęca Wieś

Wrocław tramway - reading room in Ruda Milicka

Exhibition of Christmas balls at KOM in Milicz

Want a GPX of the route? Submit to us: biuro@dkr.travel.pl 

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

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