The Complete Guide to Cycling Poland

Topography

Covering more than 321,000 square kilometers (120,000 square miles), Poland is the ninth largest country in Europe by landmass. Located in central Europe, it lies between latitudes 49° and 54° N and longitudes 14° and 24° E and shares national borders with Germany to the west, Czechia and Slovakia to the south, and Ukraine and Belarus to the east. To its north lies the Baltic Sea, while to its northeast lies the Russian semi-exclave of Kaliningrad, formerly known as Königsberg.

Poland is mostly a low-lying nation, characterized by rolling plains and coast, with some mountainous areas to challenge more experienced cyclists. The Tatra Mountains are part of the Carpathian range, with the highest peaks rising to more than 2,500 m (8,200 ft).

Along the Baltic Sea coastline, there are sandy beaches, rolling dunes and charming rural seaside towns, while the Pomeranian Lakeland and Masurian Lake District are known for their protected forests and popular cycling trails, such as the Piska Forest Route and Beldany Loop.

Cycling in Poland thus offers the possibility of riding across different types of terrains.

Flora & Fauna

Poland is one of the most biodiverse countries in Europe, largely thanks to its protected coniferous and deciduous forests, which cover nearly 30% of the country’s land area.

The UNESCO-protected Bialowieza Forest is one of Europe’s last great wildernesses, a primeval forest home to centuries-old oaks and diverse plant species. It is also home to Europe’s largest land mammals, including the European bison and brown bear. Other large animals found in the country’s diverse landscapes include roe deer, wild boar, beavers, wolves and lynx.

The Pomeranian, one of the most popular dog breeds in the world, originates from the Pomerania region of north-west Poland, with a part of it also lying in Germany.

The country’s waterways are home to diverse birdlife, including the majestic white-tailed eagle. This is Poland’s national bird and can be seen swooping for fish in the wetlands of Biebrza National Park and elsewhere. White storks, northern lapwings, European turtle doves and great crested grebes are other notable bird species.

The plant life in Poland is as varied as the country’s topography and landscapes. To the west and in the more central areas, the landscape is dominated by temperate forests of oak, beech and hornbeam, whilst more coniferous pine forests can be found in the east.

The southern mountains, including the Carpathians, are home to alpine meadows, while the wetlands of the Masurian Lakes support a host of bird species as well as reeds, mosses and ancient willows.

Climate

Poland has a temperate climate, but it varies across the breadth of the country.

In the west, winters tend to be milder and summers cooler, whilst the eastern parts of Poland experience more varied seasons, with colder winters and warmer summers.

For example, in the capital city of Warsaw, located in eastern Poland summer temperatures typically range from 15°C to 25°C (59°F to 77°F), while winter can bring average temperatures between -3°C and 2°C (27°F and 36°F). To the north, especially around the Masurian Lake District, temperatures are generally cooler still, with frosty winters expected.

Poland receives a moderate amount of rainfall, and it can be expected to rain year-round. Generally, the west of the country sees more rainfall, with an annual average of around 24 inches of rain. The summer months of June and July see some of Poland’s warmest temperatures, but also the most rainfall.

Economy

In 2023, Poland’s GDP per capita was USD $17,270, a record for the country. Poland’s economy has been growing rapidly since it joined the European Union in 2004, and it continues to go from strength to strength.

Tourism is an important sector, contributing around 6% to national GDP. Many of Poland’s cities have become popular weekend break destinations, including Krakow and Gdansk, whilst the country is also home to important cultural and historic sites such as the Auschwitz concentration camp.

Agriculture plays a declining role in Poland’s economy, but the country is still an important producer of rye, potatoes, wheat and sugar beet, as well as meat through livestock farming. Poland is also the largest producer of apples in the European Union, and the fourth-largest producer worldwide.

Poland is one of the world’s largest producers of sulfur and is also a major world producer of copper, silver and zinc. The Wieliczka salt mine near Krakow is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and has been in operation since the 13th century.

However, around 60% of Poland’s GDP comes from the country’s burgeoning service sector, including finance, real estate, and information technology. In fact, Poland is among the fastest growing IT hubs in the world that offers a large pool of relatively low-cost talent, giving stiff competition to established players such as India.

Energy production is another crucial part of Poland’s economy, though it relies heavily on coal, which accounts for around 70% of its electricity generation. However, Poland is investing in renewable energy, particularly wind and solar, to reduce its carbon footprint and reliance on Russian fossil fuels, since that country’s invasion of Polish neighbour Ukraine in 2022.

Masuria

The Masurian Lake District is one of the most beautiful parts of Poland, offering cyclists a lush landscape to explore. Along with surrounding Warmia, Masuria is home to more than 2,000 lakes set in a mostly flat terrain, making it a great option for less experienced cyclists.

Beautiful, marked trails wind through old growth forests and along lake shorelines, as well as through charming traditional villages like Mikolajki and Gizycko.

The Green Velo cycle route is the region’s most popular; it actually stretches for 2,000 km (1,242 mi) along the country’s north coast and eastern border, but the 400 km (248 mi) section in Warmia is perhaps the most beautiful, and also runs along designated gravel bicycle paths for much of its length.

Masuria and Warmia are also some of the best places in Poland to spot the country’s wildlife, with white stork, beavers and boar frequently spotted along the cycle trails of the area.

Elk is the largest city in Masuria and a popular spot for cyclists to base themselves, although the beautiful coastal city of Gdansk is also only two hours away by car.

Lower Silesia

Lower Silesia in southwestern Poland offers cyclists a blend of natural beauty and history. The area offers more diverse and challenging terrain than Masuria, from the gentle lowlands near Wroclaw to the tricky Sudetes Mountain range along the Czech border.

There are plenty of great off-road trails in the Sudetes for mountain bikers to enjoy, especially around Karkonosze National Park, where routes lead through dense forests, waterfalls, and alpine meadows. The Karkonoska pass at 1,197m (3927 ft) is often called the most difficult climb in Poland.

Silesia is the heart of Poland's cycling scene, with many of the country’s professional riders hailing from the area, including Ryszard Szurkowski and Jan Jankiewicz. Cycling infrastructure is rapidly improving, with bike-friendly accommodation, plenty of cycle paths and a growing number of cycling events.

Pomorskie or Pomerania

Pomorskie is a region in northern Poland along the Baltic Sea coast, which also comprises Gdansk, one of the country’s most popular tourist destinations. Gdansk is one of the Tricity (Gdansk, Gdynia, Sopot) destinations, featuring diverse topography for cyclists to explore between the three cities.

The Tricity area is known for its diverse mix of flat, rural countryside, mountains, seaside and urban riding routes. In particular, the EuroVelo 10 Baltic Sea cycling route covers the whole of Poland’s northern coastline, and adventurous cyclists can also take in the Baltic coastline of Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia, Finland, Sweden and Denmark (the Polish section covers 540km (335 mi).

Pomorskie is also known for its historical sites, including the medieval castles in Malbork and Gniew, whilst the Gdansk Old Town is one of the most beautiful places in all of Europe.

We’ve already mentioned the Green Velo cycle route and EuroVelo 10, but here are three more of the best cycling routes in Poland.

The Velo Baltica

The Velo Baltica, also known as the R10 is a 230 km (142 mi) long cycling route that skirts the Baltic Sea in north-western Poland's West Pomeranian Voivodeship region. The route is a part of the Polish section Eurovelo 10 cycling route. As a result, it is well-marked with good cycling infrastructure along the way.

This is a very scenic route with sandy beaches along the Baltic Sea, sleepy Hanseatic towns, historic castles, and lazy windmills making up the landscape.

The Wolin National Park, with its bison reserve, also falls on this route.

The route typically starts from Wolgast and ends at Gdansk, all the while running along the Baltic Coast.

Trail of the Eagle’s Nests

This 188km (117 mi) route runs through the uplands located between Czestochowa and Krakow. The “Eagle’s Nests” refer to a series of 25 medieval castles, located in the hard-to-reach parts of the Polish Highlands.

This marked trail now falls in mostly protected areas, as a part of the Eagle Nests Landscape Park. Most of the castles along the trail date to the 14th century, built to protect Krakow from invaders. Each castle is perched on a rocky outcrop, making it all but possible to overrun. The Trail of the Eagles Nests is officially the most popular tourist trail in Poland, and for any cyclists interested in Poland’s rich history and beautiful countryside, it makes for an interesting multi-day cycling route.

Vistula Cycle Route

The Vistula Cycle Route, or Wislana Trasa Rowerowa, follows Poland’s longest river, stretching for approximately 1,200 km (745 mi) from the southern mountains to the Baltic Sea.

One recommended section is from Krakow to Warsaw, a 350 km (217 mi) ride that combines urban and rural cycling. The route offers cyclists the chance to explore the historic city of Krakow and nearby Auschwitz, before heading into the peaceful countryside along the river.

Highlights include Tyniec Abbey near Krakow, lush green fields, and small, traditional villages with a relaxed pace of life. The flat terrain and proximity to the river make this route a relatively easy but scenic option for long-distance cyclists. And as the aforementioned section starts and ends in two of Poland’s major cities, it is logistically easy to plan for anyone looking to cycle Poland for the first time.

Karkonosze Mountains Route

The Karkonosze Mountains offer some of the best cycling terrain in Poland, particularly for mountain bikers. One of the best sections runs for approximately 60 km (37 mi) between the towns of Szklarska Poreba and Karpacz.

It’s a challenging route, taking cyclists through rugged terrain and up steep climbs. The reward for this effort is a series of stunning mountain views, as well as picturesque landmarks including the Kamienczyk Waterfall. The route also takes cyclists through a section of Karkonosze National Park, which is home to some of Poland’s best biodiversity.

For experienced cyclists looking to get off the beaten track, it’s an excellent route to consider when cycling in Poland.

Best Season

Late spring from May to June and early fall in September represent the best time to go cycling in Poland. Temperatures are mild, the countryside is in full bloom and roads and cycle trails are quieter as the school holidays have either not yet started or have finished for the summer. These months offer long hours of daylight and little rainfall, perfect conditions for cycling. In autumn, the browning and falling leaves can make for a scenic ride through Poland’s forests and rural areas too.

Peak Season

As you may expect, the peak season for cycling in Poland coincides with the best weather and the school summer holidays, from July to August.

Temperatures are at their highest across Poland at this time of year, frequently reaching 25-30°C (77–86°F). However, traveling at this time is likely to cost more with prices for flights, accommodation and food higher due to demand. Tourist trails such as the Trail of the Eagle’s Nests are at their busiest, and July in particular actually sees more rainfall than during the surrounding months.

Whilst cycling Poland is still perfectly doable during these months and may represent the best time to visit for families with children, there are cheaper and quieter times to visit, if you can arrange your trip for spring or fall.

Off Season

Poland can experience harsh, cold winters, and for this reason, November through to March is generally not considered a good time of year for cycling Poland, especially in the colder parts of the country like the Baltic Sea coast and the mountains.

Temperatures frequently drop below freezing, with snow and ice potentially representing a hazard for cyclists. Trails will be quieter and accommodation and transportation cheaper, but this time of year is far better for a city break or Christmas market visit to Krakow or Warsaw, than it is for cycling Poland.

Polish cuisine is not as well renowned as French or Italian food, but dishes tend to be hearty and wholesome, blending seasonal ingredients and flavors. Staple ingredients in many dishes include potatoes and cabbage, two crops that grow well in Poland. Pork, beef and chicken are also widely used in dishes.

Here a few dishes you must try when cycling in Poland.

1. Pierogi

The most famous Polish dish is undoubtedly pierogi, a Polish take on gyoza. These small dumplings are filled with a variety of ingredients such as potato, cheese, mushroom, duck, pork or even fruit. They are then baked to perfection and often served with soured cream and fried onions. In cities like Gdansk, there are special pierogi restaurants where these regional delicacies are the only thing on the menu!

2. Bigosh

Bigosh translated into English means “hunters stew”, and this hearty dish is popular during the cold winter months. Served piping hot, it’s a dish of chopped meat stewed with sauerkraut (fermented cabbage) and other vegetables, and often served alongside mashed potato.

3. Zurek

Another popular dish in Poland is zurek, a warming soup made with fermented rye flour and served with Polish sausage, fresh bread and hard-boiled eggs. It has a distinctive, tangy flavor.

4. Kotlety Schabowe

Poland also has its own take on Austrian schnitzel, with kotlety schabowe. Breaded cutlets are fried and served with mashed potato and pickled cucumber, very similar to the popular dishes of Vienna and Munich.

5. Sernik

Finally, for those with a sweet tooth, sernik is a popular Polish dessert. This creamy and rich cheesecake dish is made from twarog, a type of curd cheese, and is often topped with chocolate or berries. It can be baked or unbaked and is usually served chilled, perhaps with a scoop of ice cream.

Poland is a member of the European Union and part of the Schengen Area, which allows travelers from most European countries to enter without a visa and without border checks.

British passport holders can also stay in Poland for up to 90 days without a visa, despite not being in the EU or a member of the Schengen Area.

Citizens of Australia, New Zealand, Canada, and the USA are similarly exempt from visa requirements for short stays of less than 90 days for tourism or business purposes.

For travelers from other countries, such as India, Russia, South Africa, Turkey, and Thailand, a Schengen visa is required to visit Poland. This visa permits short stays of up to 90 days within a 180-day period and is designated for tourism or business activities. Applicants can obtain the visa from the Polish embassy or consulate in their home country.

To successfully apply for a Schengen visa, travelers will typically need to provide documentation, including proof of accommodation, travel insurance, and evidence of sufficient funds to cover their stay. Travelers are advised to check the specific requirements based on their nationality well in advance of their trip, as processing times can vary. Please also be aware that visa rules can be changed at short notice.

Currency

Although an important member of the EU and Schengen, Poland retains its own currency and is not a Eurozone member. The currency in Poland is the Polish Zloty (PLN). Banknotes are available in denominations of 10, 20, 50, 100, 200 and 500 zloty.

As a rough guide, USD $1 is equivalent to 4 zloty, though this is subject to exchange rate fluctuations.

In line with many modern European countries, debit and credit cards are widely accepted across Poland’s hotels, restaurants, shops, and bars.

Major card providers, such as Visa and Mastercard, can be used for most purchases. For travelers arriving with foreign currency, US dollars, Euro, and British pounds can be exchanged at banks, currency exchange offices (kantor), and some hotels.

Make sure to check exchange rates at different locations, as rates can vary significantly. Also, never exchange cash at the airport! ATMs are readily available in urban areas, allowing for convenient cash withdrawals in zloty.

Transport

Poland has a modern and developed transport system, with particular development having taken place since the country joined the European Union.

An extensive road network connects major cities and other European neighbors, whilst major airports including the modern Gdansk Lech Walesa Airport and Warsaw’s Chopin Airport cater well for both domestic and international travel.

The country has a modern and efficient rail network, and ferries link the north coast to Baltic neighbors including Latvia and Estonia, as well as Scandinavia.

And when it comes to cycling Poland, the country continues to go from strength to strength, with a growing network of bike trails such as the Green Velo trail.

Language

Polish is the only official language of Poland. However, European free movement has led to lots of emigration and immigration. Consequently, German and English are both widely spoken. Poland has also taken in a huge number of Ukrainian refugees since the Russian invasion in 2022, with up to 6 million refugees currently residing in Poland, particularly in the east of the country.

Culture and Religion

Approximately 90% of Polish citizens identify as Catholic, with religion playing a greater role in Polish life than in many other developed European countries. This can be seen in the country’s historic churches, such as the St. Mary’s Basilica in Krakow and the towering St. Mary’s church in Gdansk.

Other branches of Christianity are represented in Poland, including Byzantine Catholics and Orthodox Christians. There are also sizeable communities of Muslims and Jews.

Culturally, Poland is home to a wealth of historic sites, including a number of UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

Krakow’s cobbled Old Town, the Wieliczka Salt Mine, medieval Torun and the grand Wawel Cathedral are just some examples.

The legacy of Nazism also remains important in the country, with a visit to the Auschwitz concentration camp a sobering but important reminder of the scourge of fascism.

Appliances and Devices

As in most European countries, Poland uses the Type C plug socket with two round pins, and the standard voltage is 230 volts. This is different to the typical voltage in the United States, so American travelers will need to bring a voltage converter with them to Poland, as well as a travel adapter.

Mobile Coverage

The main mobile network operators in Poland are Orange Polska, Play, Plus and T-Mobile. Coverage is good across Poland, in both urban and rural areas. Travelers to Poland can buy local SIM cards for their mobile phones on arrival in the country or can purchase e-SIM cards on their mobile devices through operators including Airalo and Holafly.

Time Zone

Poland is on Central European Standard Time, which is GMT+1.

Read: The works of Olga Tokarczuk, who won the 2019 Nobel Prize in Literature and the 2018 Man Booker International prize for her novel, Flights.

Listen: Pop rock singer Dawid Podsiadlo, a winner of the Polish version of the X-Factor, is one of the country’s most popular musicians.

Watch: The Boy in the Striped Pajamas, a harrowing but excellent film starring a young Asa Butterfield, telling the evil and tragic tale of the Auschwitz Concentration Camp during the Second World War.

Eat: Pierogi, the most iconic dish in Poland and a must-try.

Drink: Vodka, and a lot of it. The Poles will sip shots of vodka with their meals, something that takes a bit of getting used to!

Learn: Handball, a popular sport in Poland and other eastern European countries.

Experience: A wildlife safari in the Bieszczady Mountains, where you can see bears, boar, lynx, wolves and more.

Poland has great infrastructure, a mild climate and plenty of non-cycling tourist attractions to enjoy. It is also relatively cheap when compared to other European cycling destinations. And as such a large country, it offers all manner of different cycling experiences, from coastal roads to mountain passes and rolling fields. Wherever you go in Poland for your cycling vacation, you are sure to enjoy a memorable Polish adventure.

If you’re interested in cycling in Poland, drop us an email, and we will be happy to craft a dream Poland cycling itinerary for you. Each guided bike tour we offer is organized by a passionate local trip leader who will provide you with all the support you need, world-class bikes and equipment, and plenty of tips and information on what to visit, where to eat local, and what to try.

Electric bikes are also available for all our bike tours.