The biggest attraction of the route is the Bartek Oak, called the King of the Świętorzyski Wilderness. This is the oldest tree in Poland, according to numerous legends it is over 1000 years old.
Route: Zagnańsk station – Bartek Oak – Janaszów – Świnia Góra forester's lodge – Dalejów reserve – Suchedniów station
Marking: section Zagnańsk - Dalejów reserve, green trail; section Dalejów reserve – Suchedniów, black trail; Walking time:
about 5:30 h (does not include sightseeing).
Total ascent: 230mLength of the route:
25 km
Worth seeing:
Zagnańsk - the main tourist attraction of the village is the famous Bartek Oak, but one should also pay attention to a natural monument of the avenue of trees. There are protected yew trees and maples, ash, linden and larch. Trunk diametres range from 40 to 180 cm, the height comes to 30m, and the age of the oldest trees is estimated to be 300 years. To visit "Bartek" one should turn right from the alley. Age of this venerable oak is over 1200 years according to tradition. Trunk diameter is 3.14 m and height is 30 m. The tree was damaged by fire in 1906 and In 1991 it was struck by lightning, and therefore it required help from people. Its interior is secured primarily with concrete seals, which were then replaced with wood and sawdust with epoxy resin. The area is artificially irrigated, and branches are maintained by supports.
Świnia Góra Reserve - established in the interwar period reserve was again protected in 1953. It is the only preserved fragment of a forest in the Świętokrzyskie Mountains with a high degree of differentiation, corresponding to the former Świętorzyski Wilderness. The mixed is dominated by fir mixed with addition of oak, larch, pine, beech, maple, sycamore, spruce, birch, aspen and alder. Some trees are more than 200 years old. The undergrowth is dominated by rare species, among others: Turk's cap lily, laurel or clubmoss. The many species of trees, shrubs and herbaceous vegetation, growing on a variety of habitats with vegetation floors in such a small area, make it the first among Kielce reserves, in terms of scientific and sightseeing values. Near the reserve there are traces of old iron ore mining.
Dalejów reserve - created in 1978. A reserve with an area of 88 hectares protects multi-species stands (mainly fir and larch) of natural character, typical of the Swiętokrzyski Wilderness. Some of the trees are 180 years old.
Suchedniów - is famous mainly for its industry and attracts with a varied landscape and nearby nature reserves, a rich world of plants and animals. In the village, it is worth to see the Church of St. Andrew the Apostle with an early Baroque altar. Nearby there are two reserves: Kamień Michniowski (with Lower Devonian sandstone outcrops) and Dalejów reserve (where multi-species stands of natural character are under protection). Suchedniów also has a picturesque recreation lagoon.