Territorial cooperation in the Czech-Polish border area between Nové Město pod Smrkem and Swieradow-Zdroj has led to the construction of a 39.6 km network of mountain bike trails. The single trek bike trails through the Jizera Mountains are narrow paths which wind along the contours of the mountains and blend in with the landscape.
‘Singltrek’ bike trails bring tourists to Czech-Polish border region
- 03 June 2015
The Singltrek trails are made by professionals. The bikers are enthused by crossing through the winding track profile, swinging their bicycles around and enjoying the beautiful forest and countryside surroundings. The difficulty level is varied, soft for kids and rough for hard bikers, so it is suitable for the whole family.
The Jizera Mountains are a popular summer and winter tourism destination. The southern slopes are easily accessible with extensive infrastructure and high visitor numbers, whereas the potential of the more remote northern region, where Nové Město pod Smrkem and Swieradow-Zdroj are situated, has so far been under-exploited.
By building a network of single trek trails, the project is strengthening socio-economic relationships between the two sides of the border and creating conditions for development of tourism and related services such as hotels, restaurants and bike rental and servicing. The project has provided secure parking in the starting areas, acquired maintenance equipment for the trails including a quad bike, developed a website, and installed eight stands with maps and information. The project is also promoting the trails through billboards, and producing and distributing 15 000 leaflets and maps.
A cost-effective tourist product
Single trek trails are safe and environmentally friendly—requiring few building materials and minimal maintenance—and intended for cyclists of various levels who prefer non-asphalt surfaces. They are a good way of making the most of the recreational opportunities offered by forests and attract users throughout the year, all of which makes them a very cost-effective tourist product.
The project was implemented by a group of tourism and cycling experts and drew on suggestions for similar projects in the Neisse Euroregion. By providing the full mountain biking experience and through targeted promotion and marketing, it is helping to popularise single trek trails and attract tourists to the area leading to the development of related business activities, job creation and a stronger local economy.
Total investment and EU funding
Total investment for the project “Singltrek pod Smrkem” is EUR 789 707, of which the EU’s European Regional Development Fund is contributing EUR 671 251 from the Operational Programme “Poland - Czech Republic” for the 2007 to 2013 programming period.