Photograph: Anna Drzewiecka

The Świętokrzyski Region offers 2,000 kilometers of marked paths and routes to the enthusiasts of recreational cycling. The routes lead through the most attractive natural and cultural parts of the voivodship. The red route – “Through the Forests around the Włoszczowa Commune” – features many resting points with umbrella roofs and bonfire sites. It begins near the Konieczno forester’s house  and it is accompanied by an educational path (Poznajmy Las, Let"s get to know the forest), forest nursery, and a room of sylvicultural education were set up. Information boards, describing regional fauna and flora were set thanks to local foresters" initiative. Another red route – “Across the Świętokrzyskie Mountains” – leads through the ranges of Masłów, Klonów and a part of the Łysogóry range. In addition to attractive landscape, visitors can admire castle ruins in Bodzentyn, Museum of Ancient Metallurgy in Nowa Słupia, and a Romanesque collegiate church in Opatów. The “Round Starachowice” trail will take you to the Museum of Natural History and Technology in Starachowice, the famous Cistercian abbey in Wąchock, and the Wykus forest reserve in the Sieradowicki Landscape Park. The lovers of nature and sacral architecture will enjoy the “To Podzamcze Piekoszowskie" trail leading to the monastic complex in Karczówka, Marian sanctuary in Piekoszów, palatial ruins in Podzamcze Piekoszowskie as well as to the reserve of various karstic formations known as the Cholesiowa Jama. The trail “Touring Historical Monuments of Technology in the Kamienna River Valley” is a part of the Old Polish Industrial Center. It leads from Skarżysko Kamienna via Starachowice to Ostrowiec Świętokrzyski, and includes such sites as the White Eagle Museum in the Rejów quarter of Skarżysko Kamienna, sanctuary in Kałków- Godów, and a china museum in Ćmielów. The cycling “Trail of Defensive Architecture” takes us to many regional fortifications, castles and palaces. We start from the Sobków stronghold and continue through numerous historical monuments in the Pińczów area to end up in Młodzawy Małe and Ogród na Rozstajach in the Ponidzie region, an ideal spot for a pause amidst floral arrangements and exotic birds. The palace in Chroberz and the legendary town of Wiślica are our next destinations. A rest in the peaceful spa of Busko-Zdrój will be a real reward for the strains of this long, yet attractive trip. The pilgrimage cycling trail – “Spiritual Energy Sites” – leads to the major places of religious cult, such as Święty Krzyż, Pustelnia Złotego Lasu in Rytwiany, Wiślica, Piotrkowice, and Kałków-Godów. It includes churches in Sandomierz and sanctuaries outside the Kielce region. Thematic trails running through the Ponidzie region constitute an interesting offer for fans of active leisure. The history of the region is presented through references to sacral and lay buildings, as well as to verious objects of religious interests. There are not only royal, wooden and masonry trails, but also trails for herbalists and admirers of wayside shrines and figures. It is Pińczów, where the trail of Spiritual Energy Sites joins the local section known as the “Madonnas of the Ponidzie Region”, which leads through multiple Marian cult locations. Setting up a Berlin – Lviv transvoivodship cycling trail is an important international venture, which was eneterd into by Świętokrzyskie, Lubuskie, Wielkopolskie, Łódzkie and Podkarpackie voivodships. The Świętokrzyskie voivodship section runs through the poviats of Końskie, Skarżysko Kamienna, Starachowice, Ostrowiec Świętokrzyski and Sandomierz.

Regional Tourism Organization of the Świętokrzyskie Voivodship
ul. Piotra Ściegiennego 2/32
25-033 Kielce
Telephone: +48 41 361 80 57
www.swietokrzyskie.travel

Not only sightseeing, but also different cycling events constitute cycling tourism in Świętokrzyski region. One of the best known annual racing events is held in Sielpia in September and is known as the eXtreme Marathon. The Świętokrzyskie Association of Mountain Biking (MTB) in Kielce, as well as the MTB Cross promote cycling through the organization of marathons, racing competitions, sports sections, and by means of spreading knowledge about highway code and safety precautions.

PTTK Branch in Końskie
ul. Partyznatów 1
26-200 Końskie
Telephone: +48 41 372 31 70
www.pttkkonskie.pl

Świętokrzyskie Association of Mountain Biking
(MTB) Kielce
ul. Zagórska 121
25-346 Kielce
Telephone: +48 600 853 859
www.mtb.kielce.pl

Świętokrzyskie Association of Mountain Biking
(MTB CROSS)
ul. H. Sienkiewicza 53/55
25-002 Kielce
Telephone: +48 41 34 45 929 or +48 41 34 45 468
www.mtbcross.eu