Cycling to Hel follows a 1,600-kilometer bicycle journey across Poland, from the mountains along the Czech border to the windswept beaches of the Baltic Sea and the narrow Hel Peninsula at the country’s northern tip.
More than a cycling guide, this is a travel memoir through a nation shaped by centuries of shifting borders, wars, faith, and resilience. The route passes through the Sudetes, historic Silesia, the great pilgrimage city of Częstochowa, medieval Toruń, Gdańsk, and the quiet countryside in between, revealing a Poland that many travelers never experience.
Along the way, Tomas Belcik meets pilgrims walking to Jasna Góra, relatives whose family histories span two world wars, welcoming innkeepers, fellow cyclists, and ordinary Poles whose stories bring the country to life. The result is a journey defined as much by unexpected encounters as by the miles ridden.
Designed for both armchair travelers and cyclists planning their own adventure, the book includes:
• Detailed stage-by-stage route descriptions
• GPS tracks for the complete tour
• Distance and elevation information for every stage
• 75 color photographs
• Practical observations from riding independently across Poland
Whether you are planning to cycle Poland yourself or simply enjoy thoughtful travel writing, Cycling to Hel offers an engaging portrait of one of Europe’s most overlooked cycling destinations—and a reminder that the richest discoveries often come from traveling without rushing to the destination.
“Stay light on preparation, and you’ll discover what is worth discovering. The rest will take care of itself.”
The downloadable format of the title is a PDF.
The paperback version of this title is available on Amazon.