In Lviv region, the network of active tourism routes has been expanded: a new 35-kilometre section Rozghirche – Yosypovychi has been officially added to regional cycling route No. 500. The relevant decision was taken by the expert commission on the development of the active tourism route network during a meeting at the Lviv Regional Military Administration.
Member of the expert commission Anatolii Yaremchyshyn stressed that cycle route No. 500 is seen as the backbone of the region’s future cycling network, to which local community routes are being gradually connected. This makes it possible to form a single system of cycling trips across Lviv region and to broaden the offer for lovers of active leisure.
The Rozghirche – Yosypovychi route was presented by the head of the tourism and promotion department of Stryi City Council, Orysia Melnyk, and the director of the Stryi Local History Museum “Verkhovyna”, Mykola Zakusov. They outlined the tourism potential of the areas through which the updated section of the cycle route will pass.
The village of Rozghirche is known for the nature reserve of the same name and the complex natural monument “Vidslonennia Vyhorodsky sandstone”. Here you will find an archaeological complex, a rock monastery and the remains of an ancient castle site, which makes the location attractive for combining cycle tourism with educational trips.
The new section of the cycling route runs through the picturesque valley of the River Stryi and links a number of settlements in the Stryi area: Semyhyniv, Zhulyn, Bratkivtsi, Verchany, Pidhirtsi, Dashava and Yosypovychi. In this way, route No. 500 now covers more tourist attractions and natural sites in the region.
Deputy Director of the Department of Sport, Youth and Tourism of the Lviv Regional Military Administration Mariana Kuksa emphasised that the development of such routes helps to promote the Stryi area and other parts of the region, supports local communities and creates additional opportunities for tourism development. She urged communities to be more proactive in initiating the creation and waymarking of tourist routes in their territories.
During the meeting, they also discussed the current state and prospects for the development of the pilgrimage route the Way of St James on the Lviv – Shehyni section. Associate Professor at the Department of Tourism of Ivan Franko National University of Lviv, Oresta Bordun, recalled that this route was developed and waymarked back in 2015, a special passport was created for pilgrims, and the route itself received its own coat of arms. It now requires updated navigation and waymarking, which is seen as one of the next steps in developing the tourism infrastructure of Lviv region.