It is not without reason that the Izera Mountains are a true paradise for cycling enthusiasts – behind it stands a network of cycling trails innovative on a European scale, Single Track, running through beautiful mountain terrain both on the Polish side in Świeradów-Zdrój and on the Czech side, above all in Nové Město pod Smrkem. In total we have at our disposal as many as 14 trails with a combined length of 80 kilometres. What is worth knowing about them?
The Single Track trails in Świeradów-Zdrój
Single track trails are, by design, narrow cycling paths intended primarily for one-way riding. Single Track in Świeradów-Zdrój and in Czech Nové Město pod Smrkem comprises 14 MTB cycling trails, laid out by Dafydd Davis, a Welsh trail designer regarded as a world leader and expert in this field. Interestingly, in 2016 Dafydd Davis visited Świeradów-Zdrój and inspected the trails he had designed.
The Single Track trails in the Izera Mountains have varying degrees of difficulty. The most important thing, however, is that they lead through some of the most beautiful places in the Sudetes, providing not only plenty of thrills from descents and climbs, but also beautiful surroundings and, at certain points, spectacular views.
The paths are made of a layer of compacted crushed stone, which gives the impression of a gravel surface. In wetland areas, wooden boardwalks have been laid. The trails are also designed so that the individual paths connect with one another. For example, Czerniawska Kopa connects with the Rapický okruh trail, and Hřebenáč with the Obora and Násupní trails.
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Single Track – the key markings
Among the most important markings of single track trails is the difficulty level of a given path, indicated by colour:
- Green – a very easy trail, usually two-way and often also serving as a connector between other paths; it is also suitable for children.
- Blue – an easy trail, but already one-way; it is pleasant and lets you revel in the beauty of the surrounding nature.
- Red – a trail regarded as moderately difficult, with jumps and bends.
- Black – the hardest and therefore most demanding trails, which will most appeal to experienced cyclists; here we have riding along a slope or crossing a boardwalk.
On the Single Track Świeradów-Zdrój maps there are also trails marked in purple. These are connectors allowing you to take a shortcut from one section of path to another. They too are two-way. Apart from these, cyclists also have at their disposal other forest roads (marked on the map with a dashed line) which connect the individual single track sections.
Single Track trails – Poland
On the Polish side only three of the fourteen Single Track paths run, but two of them are the longest of all the trails. Below we present their difficulty level and all other key information about them.
- Czerniawska Kopa – black trail / difficult / distance 15.3 km. Czerniawska Kopa is the longest single track trail and is classed as difficult. The entrance to Czerniawska Kopa from the Świeradów-Zdrój side is at ul. Strażacka, near Izera Park. The trail is constructed so that you can ride several loops of different lengths on it – there are two two-way connectors on it. It runs across the slopes of Opaleniec, Czerniawska Kopa and Mała Góra.
- Zajęcznik – red trail / moderately difficult / distance 14.75 km. Zajęcznik is the second-longest Single Track trail. It is a little easier than the previous one, but still quite difficult. The entrance to Single Track Zajęcznik from the Świeradów-Zdrój side is also at ul. Strażacka – on its other side. You can also enter Zajęcznik from the Orłowice side (level with Krobica), using a forest-path approach.
- Góreczno – partly black and partly red trail / difficult and moderately difficult / distance 7.2 km. Góreczno can also be counted among the longer ones. It runs across the slope of Stóg Izerski. It is marked by a high level of difficulty, and it is the only Single Track trail in the Izera Mountains marked partly red and partly black. Here too, the entrance from the Świeradów side is at ul. Strażacka, at the same point as the entrance to Czerniawska Kopa.
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Single Track trails – Poland / Czech Republic
These are paths that partly run through areas in Poland, or whose entrance lies on the Polish-Czech border.
- Násupní – green trail / very easy / distance 1.8 km
- Hřebenáč – blue trail / easy / distance 9.8 km
- Rapický okruh – red trail / moderately difficult / distance 3.6 km (connects with Czerniawska Kopa)
Single Track – Czech Republic:
- Obora – red trail / moderately difficult / distance 6.8 km
- Novoměstská strana – red trail / moderately difficult / distance 3.0 km
- Asfaltový traverz – red trail / moderately difficult / distance 3.3 km
- Ludvíkovský traverz – red trail / moderately difficult / distance 4.3 km
- Libverdská strana – red trail / moderately difficult / distance 7.4 km
- Okolo Měděnce – black trail / difficult / distance 7.1 km
- Lázeňská – blue trail / easy / distance 0.2 km
- Hejnický hřeben – black trail / difficult / distance 11.6 km
How to ride Single Track in Świeradów-Zdrój?
The blue, red and black single track trails are narrow and one-way, and you must move along them only in the direction indicated by the signs. When passing or overtaking other cyclists, you should always take particular care. Customarily, in such a situation you shout "WATCH OUT" (UWAGA) to warn the other cyclist, who should move to the upper side of the path. Bearing in mind that the paths are narrow, you should also not stop directly on them and block the traffic; you should stop in such a way that others can ride past freely and safely.
Izera Park and the Single Track trails are within arm's reach. The entrances to the Świeradów Single Track trails are located just 1.1 kilometres from Izera Park. The complex itself is also perfectly prepared for cycling enthusiasts, offering a modern bike room. It is therefore the perfect place for everyone looking for a comfortable base from which to explore the Single Track paths in Świeradów-Zdrój.
Get in touch with the Proxin team: sprzedaz@proxin.pl / +48 603 711 805 / izerapark.pl
