FAQ Lajkonik 2027

Lajkonik is an ultra-distance cycling event combining long-distance riding with discovering the landscapes and heritage of southern Poland. Małopolska is central to its identity, especially the Ciężkowice and Rożnów Foothills: a region of hills, river valleys, small towns and historic routes.

We want to show Poland from a cyclist's perspective, combining a sporting challenge with an attentive exploration of the places you visit. You can extend your stay to include Kraków, a city whose history and architecture form an important part of the region's heritage.

The event takes place from 13 to 20 May 2027. The 1000 and 500 km distances start on 13 May; the 250 km and Road / Road+ 300 km distances start on 15 May. Starts for all distances begin at 08:00 local time in Poland. The schedule for starting groups, briefings and registration pack collection will be published separately. A Coffee ride to Lipnica Murowana is planned for 12 May.

There are four options: 250, 500 and 1000 km for gravel / MTB, and 300 km for Road / Road+. Choose with the surface, elevation gain, time limit and your experience in mind.

The distance names are approximate. Final route lengths will be announced about a month before the start. Maps and GPX files are accessible through the route section on the event website.

Taking part requires endurance training, the ability to ride on varied terrain, and independent planning of navigation, supplies and rest. Consider the full route profile and time limit when choosing your distance. Experience of long rides with your intended equipment will help you assess whether you are ready.

You can organise your own journey. Your plan should include travel to the event base, accommodation before the start, registration pack collection and your return journey after completing your distance. The rules set out permitted assistance on the route and cooperation between participants.

The event base, start and finish are at Ośrodek Stalownik in Bartkowa-Posadowa. Detailed directions and information about the base will be included in the pre-start announcement. GPX approach routes from Kraków Główny railway station, Kraków Balice Airport and Tarnów railway station are also being prepared. Routes coming soon.

Małopolska combines historic cities, river valleys, foothills and Carpathian scenery. Its varied terrain lets you combine a demanding ride with discovering local architecture, nature and culture. Lajkonik invites you to explore this part of Poland beyond its best-known tourist destinations.

Current travel advice is published by the foreign ministry and consular offices of your country of residence. Before travelling, check the required documents, insurance terms and your carrier's announcements. Links to official websites are provided at the end of this page.

The main website, full FAQ and event rules are available in Polish and English. Information about English-language support for participants will be included in the organisational announcement.

Keep offline copies of the base address, booking confirmations, travel documents, insurance policy and organiser's contact details. Save place names and addresses in their original Polish spelling to make finding transport connections and navigating easier.

These foothills feature rolling hills, the Dunajec and Biała river valleys, forests, and a patchwork of fields and small settlements. Sandstone rock formations, panoramic ridges and surviving traces of the region's history also shape their character. One of the best-known sites is the Skamieniałe Miasto nature reserve in Ciężkowice.

This area has particular significance for Lajkonik. We want to introduce its scenery and local heritage and encourage you to explore it before the start or after the event.

A stay can include visits to Kraków, Ciężkowice and the Rożnów area. Staying near the base makes it easier to attend the start and finish. Services available at the base for accompanying visitors will be announced separately.

Kraków Airport in Balice is a natural arrival point. Plan your onward journey to Bartkowa-Posadowa, where the event base is located. When comparing flights, consider bicycle carriage conditions and the time needed for your transfer.

Koleje Małopolskie SKA1 trains run between Kraków Lotnisko and Kraków Główny in the city centre. Bicycles can be carried with an additional bicycle ticket under the operator's tariff. The single fare for a non-folded bicycle is currently PLN 6, separate from the passenger ticket (information as of 3 November 2026).

Carriage depends on available space; staff may refuse a bicycle when the train is crowded. Bicycles cannot be carried on rail replacement buses. Check the current timetable and tariff before travelling in May 2027.

Airport rail connection ↗ · Bicycle fares - Koleje Małopolskie (source in Polish) ↗

For rail travel, check bicycle carriage and any reservation requirements on every leg of the journey. If driving, plan your route to Ośrodek Stalownik. Parking and traffic arrangements at the base will be published before the event.

Packing requirements, permitted dimensions and fees depend on the airline. Before buying your ticket, confirm bicycle carriage and the rules for batteries, power banks and CO₂ cartridges. Allow time after arrival to assemble and check your bicycle.

Allow time to rest, prepare your bicycle, collect your registration pack and attend the briefing. If you plan to join the Coffee ride to Lipnica Murowana, include 12 May in your travel plans. Detailed opening hours for the event office will be included in the schedule.

You can book pre-start accommodation at Dom Wczasowy Stalownik in Bartkowa-Posadowa, on Lake Rożnów. This is also the base, start and finish of Lajkonik 2027, so staying there avoids an additional transfer on start day.

Confirm room availability, prices and booking terms directly with the centre, stating your dates and that you are taking part in Lajkonik.

Contact and reservations:
Phone: +48 663 401 355
Email: stalownik264@gmail.com
Website: stalownik.com.pl (source in Polish) ↗
Location: Bartkowa-Posadowa, 33-318 Gródek nad Dunajcem.

Yes. A room at the event office will be available for participants to store their luggage while taking part in the event.

Poland is part of the Schengen Area. Required travel documents and any visa depend on your nationality, residence status and country of departure. Travel within the Schengen Area does not remove the requirement to carry a valid travel document.

Before travelling, check current requirements on the official Ministry of Foreign Affairs ↗ website. Documents required for registration pack collection are specified in the rules and pre-start announcement.

The currency is the Polish złoty (PLN). Currency conversion and cash withdrawal charges depend on your bank and payment provider.

You can pay in Polish złoty (PLN) cash, by debit or credit card, and with a phone or watch, for example using Apple Pay or Google Pay. Availability depends on the outlet and the card it accepts. BLIK is an additional local payment method available through participating banks' apps; you do not need it to use the other payment methods.

Cards and mobile payments make everyday purchases easier, but carry some PLN cash as a reserve. It may be needed in smaller shops or when a terminal is unavailable. If using a foreign card, check with your bank that it works in Poland and ask about conversion and ATM withdrawal fees.

In addition to the entry fee, allow for travel and bicycle transport, accommodation, food, insurance and any servicing. Budget separately for a stay in Kraków or sightseeing in the region.

Check roaming conditions and data allowances with your mobile operator before travelling. Save maps, the route track and essential documents offline. Your charging plan should cover your riding time and use of navigation.

All times are local time in Poland. In May this is CEST (UTC+2). Starts for each distance begin at 08:00 on their scheduled days.

The 250, 500 and 1000 km distances are intended for gravel or mountain bikes. Base your choice on the route profile, your off-road skills and preferred comfort. Test the bicycle in advance with the equipment you plan to carry.

Gravel routes of 250, 500 and 1000 km: we suggest 40-42 mm tyres and a drivetrain with a 500% gear range.

Road / Road+ 300 km: we suggest 28-34 mm tyres and low road or gravel gearing suitable for numerous climbs.

These are equipment recommendations. Make your final choice according to your bicycle, abilities and route conditions.

The 300 km option is Road / Road+. Consider a road bike or gravel bike with tyres suitable for tarmac. Starts are scheduled for 15 May from 08:00, with a time limit of 37 hours.

Maps and Ride with GPS route links are in the Explore the route - choose your distance and download GPX ↗ section. After selecting a distance, you can view its map and profile and open the route in Ride with GPS.

Before the start, download the latest track and check announcements about changes. Final route lengths will be announced about a month before the event.

Your equipment should match the forecast for the entire route, including night-time and higher sections. Check conditions before travelling and again before the start. Waterproof clothing and adjustable layers are important during many hours of riding.

The 2027 rules specify the mandatory equipment. Regardless of formal requirements, your preparation should include reliable lights, navigation, power supplies and a basic repair kit suited to your bicycle.

Before the start, check your drivetrain, brakes, tyres and fittings. On the route, you should have the means to deal with common mechanical problems. Include the availability of bicycle workshops and charging points in your own riding plan.

You are responsible for your own navigation, supplies, rest and bicycle maintenance. You may use shops, food outlets, repair services and accommodation available to all participants. You may not use individually arranged support from people outside the event. Mutual assistance between participants is permitted and encouraged.

Yes, you may ride together and help one another. Each participant must still complete the entire route under their own power and follow the event rules.

The limits are 120 hours for 1000 km, 96 hours for 500 km, and 37 hours for both 250 km and Road / Road+ 300 km. The 1000 and 500 km distances start on 13 May; the 250 and 300 km distances start on 15 May, all from 08:00.

Checkpoint locations and the procedures for confirming passage will be described in each route's documentation. A brevet card is planned for the 2027 edition.

The entry fee is PLN 299 for 250 km and Road / Road+ 300 km, PLN 499 for 500 km, and PLN 699 for 1000 km. Information about registration opening and the registration pack will be published in the Register section of the event website.

Participant limit: 100 people per distance (250 km, 300 km road, 500 km and 1000 km), 400 places in total. You may register even on the day your chosen distance starts, subject to places being available and completion of all formalities before the start.

To increase your chances of receiving the full registration pack, we recommend registering and paying the entry fee by 26 April 2027. You may still take part if you register later, but some items in the pack may be unavailable.

Withdrawal must be submitted by email to lajkonik@ultradventure.pl. Withdrawals submitted on or before 1 March 2027 qualify for a 100% refund; those submitted from 2 to 31 March 2027 inclusive qualify for a 50% refund. From 1 April 2027, the entry fee is non-refundable. Exceptional cases are considered individually.

Only a change of distance is permitted. Entries cannot be transferred to another person. To change your distance, email lajkonik@ultradventure.pl. When changing to a longer distance, you must pay the difference in entry fees. When changing to a shorter distance, refunds of the fee difference follow the same deadlines and rules as withdrawal refunds: 100% of the difference for requests submitted on or before 1 March 2027, 50% from 2 to 31 March 2027 inclusive, and no refund from 1 April 2027. After 30 April 2027, changing to a longer distance still requires payment of the fee difference, while changing to a shorter distance does not entitle you to a refund. Exceptional cases are considered individually.

You may leave the route, for example to visit a shop, reach accommodation or have your bicycle repaired. To continue in accordance with the event rules, you must return to exactly the same place where you left the route. A detour must not be used to shorten the required route.

You may take part on a bicycle, tandem or unicycle. It must be powered solely by the participants’ muscular effort. Electric assistance and any other form of propulsion apart from muscular effort are prohibited.

Consider distances between settlements, shop and restaurant opening hours, and your expected arrival times. Food provided by the organiser will be specified in the registration pack and service-point information.

Do not assume that shops and food outlets are open 24 hours along the entire route. Night riding and days with limited services require adequate reserves of food and water. Check opening hours for specific locations.

Use sources marked as safe to drink or obtain water from shops and food outlets. Carry enough for the length of the section, temperature and exertion. Water availability at organiser-run points will be described before the start.

Meal arrangements and options for diets and allergies will be announced in the organisational information. Participants with specific needs should confirm available options in advance and account for them in their supply plans.

You plan your own rest and overnight stops, taking your abilities and the time limit into account. You may book accommodation along the route yourself only after you have started, including by phone or online. Use accommodation available to all participants. The organiser does not provide accommodation. Information about rest facilities at checkpoints will be published separately.

Permission to stay overnight outdoors depends on the rules for that location. Check the land manager's information and obtain any required permissions before choosing a site. Your rest plan must respect nature conservation and property rights.

Participants must follow applicable traffic laws and traffic arrangements. Do not assume that roads are closed for the event. The event rules also specify riding and safety requirements.

Provide effective lighting, visibility and sufficient battery capacity for your planned riding time. Adjust your pace to conditions and visibility. Increasing fatigue calls for additional rest.

If life or health is at risk, call 112 and provide your location as accurately as possible. Contacting the organiser is not a substitute for calling the emergency services. Event staff contact details will be provided before the start.

Before taking part, confirm with your insurer that your policy covers the planned activity and participation in the event. Check coverage, exclusions and any organiser requirements before paying your entry fee.

Information about the tracking system, how to use it and public viewing will be published before the event. Participants will receive instructions on required devices and communication along the route.

Notify the organiser according to the procedure provided before the start. Plan onward transport and collection of your belongings in accordance with the event rules. In an emergency, calling the appropriate emergency services takes priority.

You could spend a day exploring the Old Town, Wawel and Kazimierz. Kraków's historic centre, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, brings together the city's architecture and history within a relatively compact area. Adapt your plans to allow enough rest before or after the event.

Use extra days to visit Ciężkowice and Skamieniałe Miasto, the Rożnów area, and settlements in the Dunajec and Biała valleys. This offers a closer look at the scenery and heritage of an area important to Lajkonik.

Sightseeing is a separate suggestion for your stay; mentioning these places does not mean every event route passes through them. Current visitor-access information is published on the regional Visit Małopolska portal.

Look for shorter-ride inspiration in VeloMałopolska materials and regional tourism websites. Match the route to your time, bicycle and recovery after the event. Tourist route suggestions are separate from the official Lajkonik tracks.

You can complement your stay in Kraków and the region with local food, from the Kraków obwarzanek bread ring to regional dishes served in restaurants and rural guesthouses. In the days before the start, choose meals that fit your own nutrition plan.

The finish is at Ośrodek Stalownik. A warm meal, drinks and water will await participants. Every participant who completes their chosen distance within the applicable time limit receives a medal. We also plan a shared campfire gathering. We will welcome every participant regardless of arrival time, while respecting the rest of people staying at the base.

Allow time between your expected finish and departure to rest, collect your luggage and prepare your bicycle for transport. Bookings should allow for changes in your riding pace and the journey from the base to the station or airport.

Links to coverage and galleries will be shared through Lajkonik's official channels. Check the organiser's information for rules on using photographs and bringing your own photography or video crew.

We publish updates on the event website, including the What's new at Lajkonik 2027, route and Register sections. Before arriving, read the rules, the schedule for your distance and the pre-start announcement.