Ride on Kalenica
Outlook tower
Bielawska Polanka
Kalenica is the continuity of Wielka Sowa massif, just a bit lower, but, owning some curious and interesting rocky features (Kalenica means "roof-ridge"). Like the latter, it also has an outlook tower on top, which makes a fine goal, despite made of iron beams and not as photogenic as the previous one.
However cycling the ridge (and top) of Kalenica is not the most attractive option from the bike-riding point of view, as it involves a lot of bike-and-hike, especially the west half. The real bike-jewel of Kalenica is the trail aside on the southern slope, bright since exposed in the sun, and with a lot of varied terrain. North from the hill run also a couple of bike-suitable trails worth exploring. A loop of both is adviseable for the best overview.
On its South end, Kalenica is continued by Malinowa, another fine rideable hill on the ridge of the the Owl Mountains range.
Rocky outcrop near the top of Kalenica
Trail Description
Above the forest
Bumpy in places
Rocky outcrop
Snowy remains
The loop as I did it started on the pass Jurgowska Przełęcz, but it can be made on pass Przełęcz Woliborska on the opposite side, or even from the village Jutroszów near Przygórze if a loop from the south is done, or Bielawa from the north.
If we choose to try riding the top ridge of Kalenica, despite it is not rideable in all parts, better do it from west to east, as most of the hardest slopes tend to be on the opposite side and they are better descended than climbed.
West panorama from Kalenica
Ridge trail
Outlook tower
Bielawska Polana
back to the pass
The blue-marked path running south from the mountain is the finest rideable trail, as already mentionned. It joins the ridge red-marked trail in the middle of the mountain (Bielawska Polanka), where a huge trail junction sign stands, so the loop is a kind of "8".
Only the left part of the "8", where stands the summit of Kalenica, must be done clockwise to avoid too much hike-and-bike on the peaklets of Rymarz, Słoneczna and Kalenica. On the east half, the peaklet of Popielak also involves a bit of pushing but not as much as the others. Better make it from W to E as well.
East panorama from Kalenica
South trail
South trail
Rocky outcrop
Popielak descent
The blue trail running south, seen from the map, looks like going on the same level, but it is not. On the east half, it goes down almost to the base of the mountain near Jutroszów and then climbs back steadily to the middle pass. The west half has also a down-and-up at one point but not so huge.
South end of the Kalenica trail on Woliborska pass
Hut Schronisko Zygmuntówka
Black north trail
South trail
South trail
The circuit can be extended if we push the exploration further on the north side. The black-marked trail is an asphalted track closed to cars, which makes a good route to gain height and climb up to the pass Jurgowska Przełęcz. The green-marked trail (made some time ago on foot) goes steadily back to the middle pass, while the yellow one makes a fine wild descent. Such descent can probably be made also on the blue one descending from Przełęcz Woliborska. In Sum, a lot of possibilities !
Note also the existence of a friendly mountain-hut Schronisko Zygmuntówka. Looks like the hut was completely rebuilt from zero recently, as its aspect, very inspired from the Tatras folk style, doesn't correspond at all to the very "germanic" architecture of the previous building which we see on most Google or Wikipedia searches. Probably a political choice, perhaps discutable from the historical point of view, even if the new one is indisputably beautiful. A similar hut, serving refreshments, stands next to the car park of Jurgowska Przełęcz.
Kalenica circuit
Getting there
Przełęcz Jurgowska (2010)
Przełęcz Woliborska (2009)
Sign in Bielawska Polanka
Sign on Rymarz
From Wrocław, take the road 8 south to Kłodzko, and turn at Łagiewniki, and turn at Dzierżoniów. Circumvent the center by the north to take near the station the road 383 to Pieszyce. Depending on the trailhead we choose, we take the direction of Kamionki for pass Przełęcz Woliborska or Nowa Ruda for pass Jurgowska Przełęcz.
From Czech republic, it is adviseable to take the direction of Trutnov and then Wałbrzych, and Przełęcz Jurgowska.
Jurgowska Przełęcz is the best option as there is a secured car park (price 5zl per day).
View Larger Map
When to Bike
descent from Kalenica
Mouflons
Squirrel
Spring, summer, autumn.
The trails are quite OK concerning mud, thanks to the stones which cover it in many places you can ride it without problems after rainy weather.
The webcam on the nearby Wielka Sowa tower is quite useful to have an idea of the conditions there before.
 Hunting tower |  Steed on summit |  Popielak descent |  Sunny trail |
