Pilgrimage Netherlands Częstochowa (Poland) Day 5

On this day, the route largely follows the Mittelland Canal. The paths are sometimes not very good. Occasionally, you may need to make a small detour to get back along the canal.

Before heading to the campsite, it's definitely worth a visit to the city center of Hanover. Turn left at waypoint 27, and you will find yourself in the heart of the city.

During the Second World War, Hanover was largely destroyed. As a reminder: the ruins of St. Aegidien Church were not rebuilt. Some old buildings have been reconstructed, such as the old and new town halls.

As a backpacker or cyclist, you will be treated like a pariah at Camping Birkensee in Laatzen. On the outskirts of Hanover, also in Laatzen, you can visit Camping Hannover Messe, Kronsbergstraße 33, 30880 Laatzen, Germany. However, even there you will find little shelter.

This pilgrimage journey from Eindhoven (Netherlands) to Czestochowa in Poland was recorded using Google Maps.

In the Netherlands, the found bike paths are of good quality. In Germany and Poland, the tour goes over economic roads and bike paths. The bike paths are often nothing more than a gravel road. Forest paths are also not avoided. A bike that can withstand rough use is very desirable. A solid randonneur will suffice, but for this route, an MTB is actually the best choice.

On August 15th, the Assumption of Mary is celebrated joyfully. Try to be in Czestochowa a few days before this date. You will be amazed by the thousands of pilgrims singing and making music to not miss the solemn Eucharist.

Conditionally, the tour does not require much from the cyclist, aside from the partly poor paths.

Where the bike paths go through the city, it is advisable to simply stay on the road, as it often goes from sidewalk to sidewalk in the city.

The bike tour is a low-budget journey that leads from campsite to campsite in Germany. In Poland, it consists of changing campsites and simple B&Bs.

The landscape is not varied, as you are following the 51st parallel. You will cross many nature reserves that are worth getting out to explore.