1. Hobbies in Łódź

2.  We would like to present some of popular activities which can be carried out in Łódź and in the region:  1) Horse riding  2) Caving  3) Cycling  4) Canoeing

3. Tourism in the saddle  Tourism in the saddle is a form of active recreation and outdoor leisure which gives memorable experiences. Its uniqueness lies in the possibility of visiting tourist attractions while riding horseback. It also makes it possible to spend time with family and friends during tours and excursions.  There are many stables and farmhouses keeping saddle horses in Łódź. They offer an opportunity of an adventure combining recreation, tourism and sport.

4. Horse Trail  The Łódź Horse Trail is 1817 kilometers long - it’s the longest horseback route in Europe. It has 45 sections with two loops: internal and external. This facilitates the planning of your trip and adjusting its length to abilities and physical disposition.

5.  There are over 200 horse-riding centres and more than 1000 tourist attractions in the Łódź Voivodeship. Going on a horse trip by Łódź Horse Trail is a perfect opportunity to discover the natural, cultural and historic assets of the region. Attractions

6.  The infrastructure of Łódź Horse Trail consists of 21 resting places equipped with everything which is necessary during stops and rests, e.g. inns, watering and feeding stations, shelters or toilets.  Combining the tourist attractions of the Łódź Voivodeship and a wide base of horse riding centres with modern technological solutions, infrastructure and route marking, Łódź Horse Trail is a unique tourist product. It is well connected with other regions of Poland and offers multi-language information for foreign visitors.

7. Caving  Caving is the enjoyment of the outdoor activity or for physical exercise, as well as original exploration, similar to mountaineering or diving. Physical or biological science is also an important goal. Virgin cave systems comprise some of the last unexplored regions on Earth.  Despite the fact that the Łódź Voivodeship is not a karst region there is a caving club (speleoclub) for active cavers who organize many trips. Their challenges depend on the cave being visited, but often include the negotiation of pitches, squeezes, and water passages (including cave diving).

8.  Club member activities are based on caving, mountaineering and speleological aims such as:  arranging and supporting exploration of caves,  training new cavers,  organizing trips as well as scientific and research expeditions both in Poland and abroad  protecting the underground world.

9.  There are organized expeditions to different karst regions of Poland including the deepest caves in the Polish part of the Tatra Mountains (Wielka Śnieżna - Litworowa Cave System (-824 m), Śnieżna Studnia Cave, Ptasia Studnia Cave, Mała Cave). Caves of Western Tatras

10.  Members of the caving club took part in exploration and sightseeing trips to Slovakia, Hungary (Aggtelek, Bűkk), Ukraine (Podole - Optymistyczna Cave), France (diving in underwater caves), Germany, Italy, Gran Canaria, Turkey (Bolkar Daglari) and Austria.

11. Cycling  Cycling is a popular and comparatively cheap form of spending free time in Lodz and in the surrounding areas.  It gives the possibilty to make attractive excursions with friends and family during weekends and holidays. The best months for cycling are usually from May till September.

12.  The most popular areas for cycling around Lodz are Lagiewniki forest and the protected area of Wzniesienia Lodzkie located east of Lodz.  There are a few marked cycling trails in this area. Nevertheless, you have to be careful which way to choose, because signs can be sometimes misleading …

13.  There are many bicycle races organized every year near Lodz. One of the most popular is Tour de Kalonka organized by the local priest of the small village of Kalonka. On 15 th September 2012, the 11th edition of this race attracted over 1000 cyclists.  Other popular race is MTB Marathon and Bikeorient. Both of them are quite demanding, because of the length – over 100 km.

14.  Cycling in the outskirts of Lodz gives also a unique opportunity to make close encounters of the third kind with local people…

15. Canoeing  Canoeing is a water activity which gives a splendid opportunity of being at one with unspoiled nature, and watching the river and surrounding forests, fields and meadows.  Although Lodz and the Lodz region are considered a rather “dry” area, there are some interesting rivers and lakes which are perfect for canoeing.

16.  Sulejowskie lake and Jeziorsko lake, are the two largest water reservoirs in the Lodz region. Both of them, due to shallow water, marshlands and many small islands are the perfect natural environment for birds nesting there.  Both of them are also perfect places for people enjoying water sports, such as canoeing.  You can always go there for short few-hour, full-day or even longer few-day canoe rallies.

17.  The two biggest rivers are Warta and Pilica. Both of them offer quiet streams and the perfect possibility to relax on the water…

18.  … but, if you are looking for a real adventure the best choice is the Rawka river between Skierniewice and Lowicz.  The Rawka is famous for its wild stream, fallen trees and portages. It is really wet and wild canoeing!

19. Thank you for your attention!

20.  Prepared by Agnieszka Sobczyńska and Szymon Chojnacki