Two cycling routes give you a clear framework for planning a trip to Pleśna: one route starts and ends at the market square, while the other leads from a cemetery through named localities to Równie. The municipality of Pleśna also offers scenic spots and places of remembrance. This lets you choose between a cycling trip, viewpoints and cultural themes without trying to fit every destination into a single outing.
Two cycling routes, different itineraries
The “BATYLOWA” cycling route is 1.5 kilometres long. It runs from the Pleśna market square via Pleśna-Batylowa and back to the market square. At four kilometres, “GONDÓWKA” is longer: it starts at Pleśna cemetery, passes through Pleśna-Gondówka and ends in Pleśna-Równie. The routes therefore differ not only in length, but also in their starting and finishing points.
The defining features of “GONDÓWKA” include hilly terrain and mostly paved roads. At the route’s highest point is a viewpoint overlooking Pleśna. Comparing the two routes gives you clear reference points: the shorter route, which returns to the market square, or the longer, hilly route with its viewpoint.
Landscape and geological traces
The municipality of Pleśna also has notable scenic spots. At 523 metres, Wał is one of the peaks of the Rożnowskie Foothills and the highest elevation in the municipality. In Lichwin, Austrian Military Cemetery No. 185 is located on Gródek Hill, at an altitude of 436 metres. From Gródek, you can see, among other things, the landscape of the Ciężkowickie Foothills and peaks in the Low Beskids and Sądecki Beskids; visibility may depend on conditions.
Well-preserved artillery craters and unfilled trenches remain at Cemetery No. 185. They are intended to help visitors picture the battlefield and the intensity of the fighting around the hill. Landscape and history meet here in the same features of the terrain, so the site is not reduced to a viewpoint alone.
Another trace of the landscape’s history can be found in the Lichwin quarry. Fossils dating back approximately 66 million years were discovered during the extraction of raw materials; these include petrified tree trunks. Their origin remains uncertain. Those interested in geology will find a subject here that differs from the hills and viewpoints.
The wooden observation tower in Dąbrówka Szczepanowska is 16 metres high and has five levels with viewing terraces. Its height and multi-storey structure are distinctive features of the building. For a choice of scenic destinations, there are several different vantage points: a viewpoint on “GONDÓWKA,” the view from Gródek and the tower in Dąbrówka Szczepanowska.
Places of remembrance and architecture
The municipality’s historical heritage includes several sites with different connections to the past. Military Cemetery No. 171 in Łowczówek is one of the largest cemeteries of the Polish Legions. Patriotic commemorations are held there annually on the first Sunday before 11 November. They mark the anniversaries of the restoration of Polish independence and the Battle of Łowczówek, fought from 22 to 25 December 1914. Dates and programmes may vary.
Military Cemetery No. 192 in Lubinka is an Austrian First World War burial site designed by Gustav Rossmann. In Lichwin, the Centrum Pamięci Narodowej commemorates the victims of the First and Second World Wars. The palace in Janowice adds an architectural highlight: it was built in the 19th century in the English Neo-Gothic style. These sites offer different ways to engage with history, from memorials to architecture.
Walking trail and local activities
A local hiking trail in the municipality, marked with blue and yellow dots, leads to Diabli Kamień. It starts at the “Chata pod Wałem” agritourism farm. It is worth checking current trail conditions when planning a hike. The starting point is a useful reference for finding your way; no route length or walking time is specified.
At the RELAKS Sports and Leisure Centre in Łowczówek, you can play ball games, work out and go for walks, for example. Check in advance to confirm what is currently available. The Centrum Produktu Lokalnego offers a programme of workshops, seminars, training sessions, courses, conferences, tastings and exhibitions. Check ahead for specific dates and participation options.
Plan your stay around your interests
When looking for a holiday apartment in Pleśna, your interests can help determine what kind of trip to plan: the two cycling routes, the scenery and viewpoints, or the municipality’s places of remembrance. The routes’ lengths and itineraries make them easy to compare, while the memorial sites, tower and palace appeal to different interests. Consider which of these themes you would like to shape your stay around, and check dates or changeable conditions of use before making detailed plans.
Discover more destinations: Tuchów, Janowice, Komorów, Ładna, Jamna, Wał-Ruda, Wola Radłowska, Zgłobice
For the broader travel overview: Tarnów.
