In short: Velo Czorsztyn is a cycling loop around Lake Czorsztyn about 35.7 km long. About 60% of the route is on asphalt, the rest on gravel, and the total ascent is about 319 m. The route is easy and suitable for families. The best time to ride is May to September.
You pedal along the shore, trees rustle on your left, the water glitters in the sun on your right, and ahead of you a castle rises on a rock. A few kilometres on you will see a second one, on the opposite side of the lake. Velo Czorsztyn is a route where you stop more often than you planned, because something keeps asking for a photo.
The route in numbers
- Length: about 35.7 km,
- Surface: about 60% asphalt, 40% gravel,
- Elevation gain: about 319 m in total,
- Difficulty: easy, for families and recreational cyclists,
- Season: best from May to September.
What you will see on the way
Dunajec Castle in Niedzica
A 14th-century castle on a rock above the lake, now a museum. It is linked with the famous legend of the Inca treasure. We described it in the article Niedzica Castle and the Inca treasure.
The dam in Niedzica
The dam was built between 1975 and 1997. It is the tallest earth dam in Poland, and its construction created Lake Czorsztyn. From the crest of the dam there is a view of the lake and the Dunajec valley.
The ruins of the castle in Czorsztyn
On the other side of the lake stand the ruins of the stronghold where John Casimir took refuge during the Deluge. More in the article about the castle in Czorsztyn.
A boat with your bike on board
In season a boat runs between the castles in Niedzica and Czorsztyn, and it also takes bicycles. So you can shorten the route or add a short cruise when the children start to tire. Check the sailing timetable before you go, because it depends on the season and the weather.
Practical tips
- A trekking or mountain bike. The gravel sections are more comfortable on wider tyres.
- Direction of travel. You can start the loop in Niedzica or in Czorsztyn. Check where it is easier to park and where the boat departs from.
- Time in hand. The ride itself takes a few hours, but with stops at the castles and the dam it turns into a whole day.
- Water and sun cream. The sun is strong by the lake, and part of the route has no shade.
A base for a cycling weekend
From Białka Tatrzańska to Niedzica is about 22 km. At Willa pod Smrekiem you can leave your bikes safely, and when you return a grill in the gazebo and a campfire in the garden await. A ready-made plan for a summer weekend with Velo Czorsztyn and rafting on the Dunajec is on the Area page.
Sources of information and photos
We checked the facts, figures and opening hours in the sources below. Prices, timetables and admission rules can change, so please check the organisers’ websites before you travel.
- Cycling Centre, Velo Czorsztyn route description
- Velo Czorsztyn
- Jezioro Czorsztyńskie, Wikipedia
- Zapora Niedzica, Wikipedia
- Zamek Dunajec, Wikipedia
Photos (main image and illustrations in the text), used under the licences specified by their authors:
- Lake Czorsztyn in the Pieniny: Photo: pl:Wikipedysta:Mariusz G, Public domain, source: Wikimedia Commons
- Dunajec Castle in Niedzica above Lake Czorsztyn: Photo: Jakub Hałun, CC BY-SA 4.0, source: Wikimedia Commons
- The dam in Niedzica on the Dunajec: Photo: Rafał M. Socha (Azymut), CC BY-SA 4.0, source: Wikimedia Commons
- The ruins of the castle in Czorsztyn: Photo: Jakub Hałun, CC BY-SA 3.0, source: Wikimedia Commons
