The unknown Podhale

Rodzaj nawierzchni:
asfaltowe ścieżki rowerowe
drogi publiczne

Rodzaj roweru:
SPD - trasy odpowiednie dla każdego rodzaju roweru, tzn. szosowego, crossowego i górskiego/MTB
TRK - trasy odpowiednie dla roweru crossowego i górskiego/MTB

Podhale is not only Zakopane, Nowy Targ, Chochołów, or Białka. It is also places like Krauszów, Odrowąż, Ciche, or Pyzówka. Small, still relatively unknown, mainly rural villages, where the big tourism have not arrived yet, and the life is still much slower. The route is rich in scenic mountain ridges, and quiet stretches among fields and meadows.

Total length: 72 kmTotal ascent: 900 mRiding time (without breaks): 4 h 48 minRequired experience: considerableNecessary physical fitness: highStart and end: Pyzówka (Railway Station), Biały Dunajec (Railway Station)Access: train (Podhale Regional Rail - Podhalańska Kolej Regionalna / Regio)
Notes:consider leaving your car in Biały Dunajec and getting to Pyzówka by trainalternatively, you can leave the car in Biały Dunajec and get the train back from Pyzówkayou can start the trail in Zakopane and take the funicular to Gubałówka (saving yourself 300 m of the total ascent)the part of the route in Baligówka forest will be finished in autumn 2019you can check the train timetable at www.rozklad-pkp.pl
Main attractions of the route:
Wierchowa Road: former trail, brought back to life during the construction of the route. It is difficult to focus on the road with such views!Odrowąż area: incredible views over Nowy Targ Basin, with the Tatra Mountains on the horizon. Baligówka forest: a unique peatland ecosystem and areas not so widely visited in the past.Chochołów: the symbol of the traditional wooden architecture of Podhale.Ciche Zoki - Gubałówka: who doesn’t like long, mild, picturesque ridges? Keep your fingers crossed so it’s not too windy.Gubałówka: a must-see in Zakopane, a difficult ride for the bikers - a lot of hikers on the trail.Furmanowa: a nice alternative to Gubałówka for those appreciating peace and quiet.Road to Biały Dunajec: check your bike breaks, so you can stop before Zakopianka road.
Description:
We recommend starting the trip in Biały Dunajec, leaving the car there and going to Pyzówka by train (so you don’t have to rush for any train back).
From Pyzówka, we go through the village, just to quickly run away among the fields and meadows, which we will see plenty of today. The trail runs through the scenic Wierchowa road, the former trade route. We go all the way to Krauszowa, where, after crossing the bridge over Dunajec, we change the direction and go west. Through mild ascents, we pass Długopole, Dział, Odrowąż, and Piekielnik, all the time having the Tatras afar on the left.
After crossing Piekielnik and going through the voivodeship road, we get into the gravel part in Gajka forest, surrounded by the precious peat bogs, on the verge of Orava and Podhale. Further, following the route’s signs, we get to Chochołów. After sightseeing (the newly opened Peatland Museum in Chochołów!), we go uphill, to Ciche, and after a slight descent, we go up again, to Ciche Górne and Zoki (the last stretch is VERY steep).
The way back will be a prize for all the uphill parts - first, we will go through the scenic ridge, all the way to Butorowy, next, to busy Gubałówka (it’s surprising that everybody wants to be right here!). Not worse than the Gubałówka views are waiting for us in Furmanowa, on the right from the St. Brother Albert’s chapel.
And then… you can simply enjoy the long way down, all the way to Biały Dunajec, regretting only to leave the Tatra views behind your back :-)