If you’re going on our trip to Tyniec and a pleasant subcracovian ride is in stock, or maybe you’re just doing it yourself, we answer the question: “Ok. Tyniec – how to get there and what to see?”. We embed a useful map of the route and add some descriptions for a first feel.
For a beginning, have a look at our publicly available Google map. It’s zoomable and there are attractive sights that we cover on the way: under green markers.
We ride the Wisla Cycle Route
You may gain a bigger perspective by considering the fact that your ride to Tyniec will go along the famous Wisla Cycling Route. This route stretches from Oświęcim to far beyond Krakow and utilizes the paths on floodbanks to showcase the least regulated, natural river of Eastern Europe. It is also here that the Amber Route Cycle Route runs and all this fits into the EuroVelo 4 from Brittany to Kiev, Ukraine. Inspiring for a bigger expedition, huh?
We look into the azure waters of Zakrzówek
Your ride will have an important and most beautiful stop in the sunken quarry of Zakrzówek. Calcite cliffs rise straight from the bluish green water and the hills offer a magnificent view of Krakow (try #viewonkrakow). You can scuba dive here to watch underwater landscapes (crystal visibility and a bus on the bottom!) or try MTB on the surrounding slopes.
We remember the King of Rock’n’Roll
This trip has a musical patron – Elvis Presley. He is commemorated with a stone and sculpture (plus an alley name) on the right bank of Wisla. It makes Krakow one of two European cities to have remembered the immortal Elvis so “tenderly” 😉 More about the fascinating story of the monument – on the spot. Prepare your voices for “Always on my mind”.
On the way – mountain kayaking facilities
BikeTrip’s secondary passion is kayaking. Try our video here (bits of Polish language). On your way you will pass the best mountain kayaking facilities in Poland, organized on a small dam on the Wisla. There is a whole sports centre for those who don’t fear truly difficult water trails or have years of kayaking experience – feel invited to Krakow.
The abbey crowns the tour
Speaking about crowns and kings, we remember that the Tyniec Abbey is a pearl from high middle ages. King Kazimierz Odnowiciel or king Boleslaw Szczodry were its founders in 11th century. There are myriads of colourful stories circulating about the abbey. It has gone through its shining and dimmed periods and today is a favourite film and photo setting. It houses many cultural events and organizes retreats for Christians.
And what was the Luftwaffe doing here?
Between 1942 and 1943, in the village of Przegorzały, the German airforce, the Luftwaffe, built a castle that was meant to serve as a spa for pilots and practically ended up as a hospital. Not far away, you will find a cute modernist donjon by architect Adolf Szyszko-Bohusz.
One more abbey for goodbye
The ride back from Tyniec goes along Wisla on its left bank. Right at the entry of Krakow you will stumble upon another abbey of distinguished history and the biggest monument complex after Wawel Castle. It is the Premonstratensian nun’s Abbey from the 12th century with walls three centuries younger and a church from the 17th century. The walls sing a silent psalm of remembrance and peace.
Not far away there stands the Kościuszko Mound
A bit further to the North, if you veer off in a wonderful tree-lined alley, you will reach the Kosciuszko Mound. An earth memorial constructed to honour the Polish 1794 uprising leader in 1823. Try having a look at this scenically dominating viewpoint a day after our VeloTyniec and don’t forget about the 1850s fort and a chapel that support it.
That should be all of our recommendations for the ride to Tyniec. Hopefully the answer to “Tyniec – how to get to and what to see?” seems obvious to you now. Any detailed knowledge sits in the minds of our guides and the will be most happy to share it with you.
Feel free to use the map, comment, and whisper a word on social media.
En route!
Tomasz, Kraków
