Chełmski: Discover nature and cultural destinations

The destinations below offer different starting points for planning your trip. Several of the routes and attractions described are located within the municipality of Chełm; other landscape and nature references relate to Chełm County.

Cycling routes in Chełm commune

The routes vary considerably in length and focus. The blue “GMINA CHEŁM – wpisane w krajobraz, wpisane w historię” cycling route is 75 km long and leads to places in Chełm commune associated with history, nature, recreation, and leisure. The red “Uroki Sobowickie” route is 18 km long; the “Pagóry Janowskie” cycling route is about 8 km long.

Another option is the green-marked “Leśne ostępy Chełmskiego Parku Krajobrazowego” route, which is 19.45 km long. It runs from the northern outskirts of Chełm past the area around the Stańków Reservoir and the Uherka Valley. It then passes through wooded areas near Czułczyce and Sajczyce to Ruda Opalin. The different route lengths provide a concrete basis for comparing options when planning a trip; signage and the condition of the cycling routes may vary.

Parkland and bodies of water

Chełmski Landscape Park was established in 1983 and covers 16,457 ha. Of that area, 4,702 ha lie within Chełm commune. Nesting by 152 bird species has been recorded in the park. These figures highlight the area’s natural significance, but they do not indicate which animals you may see on any particular visit.

Stańków Reservoir is an artificial body of water covering about 40 ha and about 4 m deep; its bottom is muddy. It is also called Zalew na Uherce, as it is fed by water from the Uherka River. Numerous rare and protected waterbird species, as well as the European pond turtle, occur there.

At Zalew Żółtańce, facilities include a beach, piers, benches, covered tables, and barbecue and fire pits. Other amenities include a football pitch, a volleyball court, a playground, and an outdoor fitness area. A dam leads to a supervised bathing area and a designated fishing area. As seasonal operating conditions may vary, it is advisable to check them before your visit. A bus stop is about 20 m from the beach; check the current timetable before travelling.

Zalew Staw offers a different combination of features: the body of water covers 15 ha and is described as a fishing lake. It also has easy access to the water, a large car park by the bathing area, two piers, covered benches, and a playground. These details and the size of each site make it possible to distinguish between the waterfront destinations described here.

Architectural history in Chełm commune

Historic buildings include the 12th-century stone tower in Stołpie. In Podgórze, the Roman Catholic parish church of Chrystusa Pana Zbawiciela was originally built as an Orthodox church. It has been mentioned in historical sources since 1440, together with an Orthodox monastery.

The palace in Srebrzyszcze is a Baroque building dating from the 17th century. It was commissioned by Józef Łopuski, the sword-bearer of Chełm, and is surrounded by a park laid out in the style of an Italian garden. The tower, church, and palace each offer a different historical perspective and can serve as points of reference if architectural history is relevant to your travel plans.

Landscape across the wider Chełm County

Chełm County extends across the Polesie Wołyńskie and Wyżyna Lubelska macroregions. Its wider landscape includes the Pagóry Chełmskie, a range of gentle hills that rise to 300 m above sea level and consist of chalk marls and sandstones.

The wider county also includes the Serniawy Nature Reserve in Sawin commune. It protects fragments of alder-ash riparian forest and low oak-hornbeam forest, including numerous pedunculate oaks about 200 years old and black alders over 100 years old. In the Bachus Nature Reserve, a 4.5 km educational trail allows visitors to explore the protected area. Another nature attraction is Stawska Góra Nature Reserve, where the fully protected plant species dziewięćsił popłocholistny occurs; four sites where it grows are known in Poland.

Discover more destinations: Gotówka, Chełm, Huta, Stańków, Brzeźno, Nowosiółki-Kolonia, Czarnołozy, Dorohusk, Rejowiec, Romanówka, Stołpie.

For the broader travel overview: Lublin.