07.FROM THE BIAŁKA RIVER UP TO THE TATRA VIEWS

NOWA BIAŁA – typical Spisz buildings – Krempachy – Route Around the Tatras to Dursztyn – Dursztyn views – ride down to Łapsze Niżne – Łapsze Wyżne – Trybska Pass – church in Trybsz – Białka River Gorge – NOWA BIAŁA
The trip takes us through a mix of the Spisz region and Pieniny Mountains. We will not avoid steep uphill stretches, but the reward will be wonderful and varied panoramas. There will be interesting heritage sites and natural curiosities. The route leads entirely through the Spisz region, which the skilled eye will easily notice in the local architecture. We will escape into the almost wild areas of Dursztyn, listen to the noise of the Białka River under the impressive wall of the Kramnica Rock near Nowa Biała, where perhaps we will also hear the Slovak language. Interesting local names or old churches also demonstrate how long and rich the history of these lands is.We set off from Nowa Biała. This is 2an unusual village, although to the west of Białka, in the Spisz region and in Poland, and we will notice signs of Slovaks’ presence here and there. Moving in the direction of Krempachy, crossing successive junctions, it is worth noting the typi¬cal Spisz buildings with a linear and spindle-shaped layout, with a line of houses at the front and a row of barns parallel to and behind them. In Krempachy (name from the German “Krummbach” – a winding stream) we pass the small church of St. Valentine (on the left). It is worth stopping and visiting the graveyard, where we will see plaques in three languages: Hungarian, Slovak and Polish. The surrounding area is still inhabited by the Slovak minority. According to the signs of the Route Around the Tatras, we turn into Tatrzańska Street. However, we will have to wait a while longer for Tatra vistas. The Route leads us after a shooting range into beautiful idyllic landscapes; the relief of the terrain testifies to the geological diversity of the place1. Its expression are, among others, the interesting rock outcrops of the Lorencowe Rocks with the club-shaped Gęśle (fiddle) rock. However, it is time to focus on the road, because the ride uphill is quite steep. On the ridge it is worth turning around to admire the beau¬tiful panorama of the areas between Dursztyn and Krempachy and, to the south, the slowly emerging Tatras. Going on along the Route, we enter Dursztyn. of this village, located on the roof of Spisz, is surprising. We ride onto the ridge of the Honaj Hill, where a wonderful panorama of the Tatra Mountains opens up3. Behind the buildings we enter an unusual terrain of mountain pastures, forests, steep Pieniny slopes and views of the Pieniny and Tatra Mountains. The route over Honaj is one of the most beautiful sections of the Route Around the Tatras. CAUTION – the descent is very winding and steep! Saturated with greenery, we leave Łapsze Niżne. The Route leads us to the vicinity of the 14th century Baroque church of St. Quirine. From here on, we steadily cycle up along the main road, through Łapsze Średnie and Wyżne, to finally climb the Trybska Pass. Although we have only ridden a short distance, the landscape has changed a lot – it has softened, become more like in the Beskidy Mountains. From the Pass, we go down a pleasant stretch downhill to Trybsz. During the ride, it is easy to overlook the small and interesting wooden church of St. Elizabeth (16th century). After Trybsz, we cross Białka (but remain in the Spiš region – the river once changed its course leaving the Spisz village of Nowa Biała on the other side!) and 200 m behind it we turn right. After 1.5 km we reach the Białka River Gorge6 – the river here is divided into an isthmus between the rocks of Kramnica and Obłazowa. The latter is also a place of valuable archaeological finds. The place is perfect for a longer rest by the river. Then, escaping from the main road through side streets, we reach the centre of Nowa Biała, where our trip ends.