Tatry Mountains, Zakopane and more

[First World Problems]

Hello ladies and gents

This is my first post, so before I get started I'd just like to say hello to everyone and I look forwards to meeting many of you at the UK HUBB event this summer

I'm planning a month long trip through the Alps this summer- all very exciting Haven't done any multi day rides since the late 90s, so long overdue

One of my many many sticking points is the Poland/ Slovakia bit. VERY provisional plan is to get from Salzburg to near Auschwitz in one day as fast as possible. See the 'sights', then head down to Zakopane and back towards Austria via the Tatry mountains.

I've never been this far east, so have no idea what to expect or really how to plan it, other than looking at Google maps and zooming in on bumpy/ twisty looking bits.

All help/ input appreciated

[Tourider]

If you could give the Salzburg/Oswiecim leg a couple of days and travel off motorway you'd get a lot more from the experience. I suggest Salzburg to Telc (CZ) on day one and then on to Oswiecim on day two. Zakopane the town is a bit of a tourist trap and during high season the road down from Krakow is a long car park but the High Tatra are worth seeing. Again if you have time head along the Polish/Slovak border to Dukla and take the Dukla Pass into Slovakia (it's the route the Russian army used to liberate Czechoslovakia during the war and has museums and memorials on it). The pass will take you to Poprad, just head west to Austria staying off motorway and you'll get good views of the Tatras and a feel for the laid back pace of life in rural Slovakia.

[PanEuropean]

I have toured in both of the locations you mention (northern Slovakia and southern Poland) and very much enjoyed the time I have spent there.

Both of the above regions are considerably less expensive than Austria and Switzerland.

Michael

[Rider303]

Hi!

As mentioned before Zakopane in Poland is a rather crowded touristic place. You might consider however an other option to enter Poland further to the West, road no 941 where three borders of Czech Rep., Slovakia and Poland meet together. Once in Poland take a road no 942 to Szczyrk and Bielsko-Biala. It goes in the National Park, lovely, very bendy roads.

Krakow is must see city, especially Kazimierz, the old jewish town. You will find original Jewish restaurants there.

Another good place is located East from Katowice city. It has very complicated name "Zespół Parków Krajobrazowych Województwa Małopolskiego: Park Krajobrazowy Dolinki Krakowskie" which is basically a National Park. You can start from Ojcow, then Jerzmanowice, Olkusz and up North to the "Park Krajobrazowy Orlich Gniazd". This is a gem, national park with the so-called Table Mountains, castles and beautiful nature.

If you have more question about Poland, let me know.