The best road cycling routes around powiat pszczyński

Zapora Porąbka (Międzybrodzie Bialskie) Object type: Dam and hydroelectric power plant. Height: 37.3 meters. Length: 260 meters River: Soła. Completion: 1936 (project by prof. Gabriel Narutowicz). Attractions: Viewpoint over Beskid Mały and Lake Międzybrodzkie. For cyclists/hikers: An asphalt road with a sidewalk runs across the dam's crest, allowing for safe passage and enjoyment of the panorama. It serves as an excellent landmark and a connecting point for routes around the lakes of the Soła cascade.

The Castle in Oświęcim is a medieval defensive stronghold located on a hill on the right bank of the Soła River. Currently, the site is home to the Museum of the Castle in Oświęcim, which presents the rich history of the city, the former Duchy of Oświęcim, and valuable historical and archaeological collections. It was here that a great diplomatic turning point occurred: in 1454, the last Piast duke of this region, Jan IV, bowed to the might of Poland and ceded the castle and his entire duchy as a fief to King Casimir Jagiellon. Three years later (in 1457), he completely sold these lands to him. The castle ceased to be a Silesian borderland and became Polish royal property for centuries. It is worth taking a look at the mighty, 13th-century Gothic tower, which remembers those events and that agreement! The history of the castle in Oświęcim dates back to the 11th century, when there was an early medieval agricultural settlement on the hill above the Soła. After it burned down, a fortified castellany stronghold was erected here. The first official documentary mention of it dates from 1179. It was then that King Casimir the Just transferred these lands to the Duke of Opole, Mieszko Plątonogi. Early Gothic tower – dates from the end of the 13th century, it is a defensive building type (bergfried) and is one of the oldest preserved brick structures in Lesser Poland. Royal history – the castle hosted prominent historical figures, including the future Queen of Poland, Bona Sforza. Underground tunnels – there are two corridors under the castle, including an air-raid shelter built by the Germans during World War II. Address: ul. Zamkowa 1, 32-600 Oświęcim Opening hours: Tuesday to Sunday from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM (the museum is closed on Mondays).

cool place to hide from the rain ... and there is plenty of space by the bench.

Next to the stairs leading to the dam, there is a small path that you can ride up. Watch out for the curb at the beginning of the stairs :)

Very picturesque cycle path along the Vistula river embankment

Nice market square. Currently under renovation.

From a tourist point of view, the dam is three kilometers of a straight as an arrow, smooth, asphalt path running along the crown of the entire structure. It is precisely thanks to this smooth asphalt and the nice views that it has become a place of recreation for many residents of Zabrze, Goczałkowice, Pszczyna, and even more distant towns in the Pszczyna and Bielsko districts. Runners and inline skaters dominate here, there are many walkers, but there is no shortage of cyclists either. The lake itself, although artificially created in the 1950s, resembles a natural lake, so the views from the dam are nice.

A superb cycle path which is, among other things, the EuroVelo 4 which crosses Poland. I realize that I can take it all the way to Krakow, my final destination, but the wind is blowing hard today and the path is elevated, so I am not at all sheltered from the wind. I decide to leave it further on to follow my initial itinerary.