PRZEDSZKOLE SAMORZADOWE W ZPO W WOLI FILIPOWSKIEJ
POLISH NATIONAL PARKS
Poland is among the most diverse European countries in respect of its nature. From the Baltic coastline in the north through the lake district, lowlands and highlands to mountain ranges in the south one can find areas of dominant wild life. Many such places, like the Białowieşa National Park or Biebrza National Park, are natural gems of Europe and of the world. The most valuable areas are subject to national park protection. Poland lists twenty three national parks. All of them are accessible for tourists and their tourist infrastructure is of very good quality.
THE BABIA GÓRA NATIONAL PARK The Babia Góra National Park is located in Beskid Żywiecki, about 90 kilometres to the south-west of Cracow. Babia Góra National Park is a mountain park with the highest summit being Babia Góra (1725 meters above sea level). One of the reasons of creation of the National Park in 1954 was a model layout of plant layers. In this respect, Babia Góra is a model mountain, perfect for mountain studies. When climbing to the top of Babia Góra, in short time we can see all plant layers well-known from geography classes: from arable land, through beech forests, beech and spruce forests, and with increased height only spruce forest, which is later replaced by dwarf mountain pine. The top belt is the alpine layer with scree formations, slightly decorated with grasslands and lichen. The landscape is great especially in the transitional zone between the forest and dwarf mountain pine. In winter, hundreds of dwarf spruce trees covered with a thick layer of hoar frost and snow create an unforgettable landscape of snow sculpture galleries. The animal world of Babia Góra is very rich. As far as large mammals are concerned, you can encounter bears, which, together with lynx, like especially the southern slopes. Wolves, deer, foxes and badgers also live in the forests. Among birds, a special attention should be paid to the capercaillie, almost extinct species. The capercaillie is a bird from Galliformes order also known as the “wood grouse”. There are more than 120 bird species in the Babia Góra National Park as: black grouse, owls and rare black stork. The climate of the Babia Góra National Park is rough. There are often unexpected weather changes. It is necessary to always remember about it when going hiking in the mountains. Snow appears in October and stays until May. There is often an avalanche risk on northern slopes; that is why northern tourist route (the “academic” route) is closed in the winter. An interesting hydrological fact about the mountain is the watershed of Baltic Sea and Black Sea basins crossing the ridge of Babia Góra. That means that a rain drop falling on the northern slopes of the mountain goes to the Baltic Sea, while falling on southern slopes, starts its descent to the Black Sea. Thanks to the special natural values of the Babia Góra mountain range, this National Park acquired the status of UNESCO Biosphere Reserve in 1977.
THE BIAŁOWIEŻA NATIONAL PARK If somebody wants to see a forest the way it was hundreds years ago, they have to visit Białowieża Forest. A visit to Białowieża is a journey to the past when Europe was covered with impenetrable forests. Białowieża Forest is the last primary compact forest complex. It is one of the most important natural treasures not only in Poland, but also in Europe. Therefore, in 1979 Białowieża Forest was included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. The Forest is located approx. 260 km to the east of Warsaw and approx. 70 km to the southwest of Białystok. Its most precious parts are protected within Białowieża National Park. The forest is inhabited by a wide variety of species, some of which grow to unusual sizes. The predominant forest types are: a broadleaved and coniferous forests, and in humid locations, alder swamp forests and riparian forests. A typical element of the forest landscape is a large number of old fallen tree trunks. The forest landscape is formed best in a separated part of the National Park, to which the access is possible only when accompanied by a licensed guide. Visiting Orłówka is a must during each trip to Białowieża. European bison is the symbol of Białowieża Forest. This biggest wild animal in Europe is a close cousin of the American bison. The area of Białowieża Forest is inhabited by a live few hundred of bison, gathering in smaller or larger herds. It is called “the King of the Forest”, is a huge and dignified animal and meeting it is always an important experience for a nature admirer. A part of the National Park is a separate show reserve presenting European bison. The show reserve is located near Białowieża by the road towards Hajnówka. It is worth to visit the show reserve to closely observe the animals which are very difficult to meet in the forest. Apart from the bison, you can see wolves, elks, deer, and wild boars there. Another interesting animal which you can find there is called żubroń, a hybrid of domestic cattle and European bison. A visit in the show reserve may be advised to guests who do not have much time for individual walks and would like to see the King of the Forest with their own eyes.
THE BIEBRZA NATIONAL PARK The Biebrza National Park is located in northeast Poland, between Łomża and Augustów. A protective area covers almost the entire Biebrza River, together with the valley from the source down to the mouth of the Narew River. Biebrza Valley is a very important stopping place for birds during their annual travel, and a location of nesting for many marsh bird species. Flora admirers can find protected rare plant species there, including 20 species of orchid. Those who like to get up before sunrise should see an incredible spectacle of the nature waking up – delicate fog wisps, clanging of cranes, squawking of snipe and elk sighting. For those who prefer to sleep in the morning, the nature begins its next spectacle several hours later when predatory birds start hunting. Ornithologists from all over the world visit the Biebrza National Park. Here, they meet, exchange experience, together observe and discuss birds chirping in the bushes. Bent over telescopes, they point out strange Latin names such as: Acrocephalus paludicola, Picus canus, Numenius arquata or Cirrus aeruginosus. Yet, before an ordinary tourist reaches such a level of expertise, they are enchanted by huge, endless space of the Biebrza National Park. The civilization accustomed us to a landscape which seems safe – you can see almost always a house, a fence, a chimney or at least a pole nearby. Meanwhile, you cannot find things like that here! As far as you can see – only flat plain stretching to the horizon. At beginning it seems strange and unnatural. Then, you can compare it to a prairie, a savannah, but these are actually marshes and peat bogs spreading for dozens of vast kilometres. The Biebrza National Park is the biggest national park in Poland, and one of the biggest in Europe. It has almost 100 kilometres in a straight line, that is more than Luxembourg from its north to south. Additional attractions: An unconquered Russian fort in Osowiec.
THE BIESZCZADY NATIONAL PARK The Bieszczady Mountains are one of the most interesting regions in Poland when it comes to the natural environment. Located far
from civilization, at the southeast end of Poland, they still maintained their natural charm. They are a cult location, a must see for every tourist who admires wild nature, quiet and open stretches of land. Bieszczady forests are inhabited by wolves, bears, European bisons and deer. You can meet a rare golden eagle there. The Bieszczady National Park covers a significant part of the mountains. It has a unique landscape. The scenery is mountain and gentle at the same time. The most characteristic element of this region are mountain pastures – extensive meadows located in the top parts of the mountains. Thanks to the mountain pastures, hiking in Bieszczady is easy and provides a tourist with an incredibly attractive view. Panoramas are visible for dozens of kilometers. In autumn, the pastures become golden. They look like prairies on a mountain peaks. A long-hour hiking will be rewarded with a sip of żentyca (a local drink made of fermented sheep milk whey) and a piece of sheep’s milk cheese you can try in a shepherd’s hut. Bieszczady Mountains embody the atmosphere of the past. In the second half of the 19th century there was “the oil rush” in Bieszczady. Here is the first-ever oil extraction site in Bóbrka, here worked Ignacy Łukasiewicz, the inventor of the kerosene lamp. The atmosphere of the past is created by the shepherd communities. Sheep and shepherds are an inherent element of this landscape. This is supplemented with smoking retorts where charcoal is being produced. Wooden architecture of Bieszczady’s Orthodox churches is also really impressive, and remnants of Lemkos villages stand as a proof of the difficult war times that Bieszczady encountered. The ride in a famous Bieszczady’s narrow-gauge steam train is a big tourist attraction.
THE AREA OF DRAWA NATIONAL PARK The area of Drawa National Park and its neighbourhood lies in the a plain called Równina Drawska, which is a fragment of the lake district Pojezierze Południowopomorskie, in the north-western part of Poland. It encompasses for the central part of a forest complex called Drawa Wilderness (Puszcza Drawska). The DNP represents a landscape of early-glacial outwash plains. It lies entirely within the reception basin of Drawa River, which – along with its tributary Płociczna – constitute for its main hydrographic axis. Both these rivers run through a wide lane of outwashes that originated from the sands left by a melting glacier’s waters running down to
the Toruń-Eberswald postglacial stream valley. All activities performed within the DNP borders have to conform to the rules of nature preservation. The main function of the DNP is to observe the natural biotope and evaluate the current state of natural processes, surface and subterranean waters, climate, and other aspects of the inanimate nature. Based on those observations, we can forecast the direction and pace of ecosystem changes, and the reaction of live organisms to those changes. The Park area is directly related to the Drawa reception basin of 567km². The rapid currents of these rivers have sculpted many attractive canyons and ravines wedged into the outwash plain, some close to 30 metres deep and overgrown with diverse standing timber. In those valleys take place the most crucial land-shaping processes: the river current is causing, on one side, spot erosion of the valley slopes, and on the other – accumulation of river residues on the dry ground forests on the drainage terraces. The Drawa Wilderness, presently a dense forest complex, only 100 years ago used to be a mosaic of woods, pastures, and fields. Its present-day landscape has been shaped mainly by the traditional local economy, especially the forestry, of which some elements are now the relics of past human activities. Presently, the DNP stands out for its diversity of ecosystems. There are 224 documented plant communities. The surface is dominated by forests (80% of the total park area), mainly beech woods, alder-lined meadows and swamps, and patches of pine forests. Another characteristic element is peatbogs, along with water and meadow ecosystems. The lakes within the DNP are largely diversified by their trophicity, area, and depth. Some of them stand out with their characteristic fauna and flora. The Park’s fauna is represented by over 200 species of vertebrates, among which the most numerous are birds. There also is an abundance of invertebrates, among which one finds some uniquely valuable endangered species. The crest animal of the DNP is the otter.
THE GORCE NATIONAL PARK The Gorce National Park was established in 1981. It includes the central and north-east parts of the Gorce Range. The total cover of the GNP is 7,030 hectares and roughly a half of this area is under a strict nature conservation regime. GNP protects not only the Gorce Range’s nature but also a rich cultural heritage.
The Carpathian forest is the most important treasure in the GNP. Lower elevations are covered with mixed forest called the Carpathian Beech Forest. It is only slightly affected by human activities in the past. The highest elevations are occupied by sub-alpine spruce forests. The forest dynamics is mostly of natural character – trees get old then die giving place for new generations of woody vegetation. The glades spread out among comprehensive forest cover enrich the Gorce’s biodiversity and elevate its landscape values. The glades along with regional Zagórze or Podhale type woody huts are remnants of the traditional pastoral activities in this area. A wandering lengthwise Gorce tourist trails is very attractive since one may watch even other ranges, especially the Tatra Mountains.
THE KAMPINOS NATIONAL PARK Only a few kilometres from the administration border of Warsaw, Kampinos National Park is probably the only such big natural complex in the world located in the “suburbs” of a two-million city. Kampinos National Park protects remains of the former Mazowsze Forest. Its landscape is dominated by two elements: marshes and neighbouring dunes. Dunes in Kampinos are one of the best maintained inland dune complexes in Europe. The dunes are covered with pine forest, and partially exposed. Biggest exposure of the dunes, so called Grochalskie Piachy in the northern part of the Park reminds more a desert than a landscape in Central Poland. In the Park area, 22 reserves have been created, of which the most famous and precious from the nature point of view is Sieraków marsh reserve, surrounded by tourist routes starting from Sieraków, Dziekanów Leśny and Dąbrowa. The centre of the reserve is an extensive marsh of Cichowąż, surrounded by sand dune hills. Isolation of
the reserve causes that it is a habitat of rare plant species and numerous animal species. A plant curiosity is a small shrub – Leatherleaf (Chamaedaphne calyculata) – a relic of ice age. In the reserve you can meet elks, black storks and listen to clanging of very timid cranes. In 1992, a programme of lynx reintroduction was started. Today, there are approximately 10 lynx living in the wild. Elk is very numerous. There’s an interesting curiosity – the thickest tree in Poland – a poplar with circumference above 11 meters, growing in Leszno. Mazowsze Forest reach in wood has been well known and valued for a long time. Here mast pines were cut down and floated by Vistula river to Gdańsk. In 2000, Kampinos National Park was entered into UNESCO list as a biosphere reserve.
THE KARKONOSZE NATIONAL PARK Karkonosze, located 130 km southwest from Wrocław, are the biggest mountain range in the Sudetes. In the past it was known as Gigant Mountains or Snowy Mountains. First “tourists” here were Walloons, legendary prospectors searching for precious stones and minerals who came to Karkonosze in the 11th century. They left after themselves mysterious castles on rocks and legends fascinating modern enthusiasts of these mountains. The Karkonosze National Park covers the main Karkonosze range from Mumlawski Wierch on the west to Okraj mountain pass on the east. The Park also includes two separate enclaves: Szklarka Waterfall and Chojnik Mountain with a castle: The highest mountain in Karkonosze is Śnieżka (1602 m above sea level) which can be reached by trail leading from the chairlift to Kopa. On Śnieżka top there is Saint Lawrence chapel (17th century), a meteorological observatory and a restaurant. The Park landscape is very special, and this because of its direct proximity of typical mountain forms and marshes. Extensive, plane top parts with peat bogs and marshes are accompanied by steep rock walls of postglacial cirques. The landscape is completed with mountain lakes and rocks in unusual shapes, and names stimulating imagination, such as: Pilgrims, Horse Heads, Three Little Pigs, Raven Rocks... Near the Park border, there is the highest waterfall in the Polish part of Karkonosze – Kamieńczyk waterfall
(27 m high), and in a separate Park enclave, Szklarka waterfall – one of the most recognizable and picturesque waterfalls in Poland. The biggest mammal living in Karkonosze is the Red Deer. You can also find there roe deer, wild boars and mouflons. The last animal is the wild mountain sheep, brought on the European mainland from Sardinia and Corsica. In Poland, a small number of those can be found in the Sudetes. The climate of Karkonosze is cold. Average annual temperature at the main ridge is from 2 to 4°C, and at Śnieżka mountain, 0°C. In 1993, at the Polish and Czech side of Karkonosze UNESCO Bilateral Biosphere Reserve was established.
THE MAGURA NATIONAL PARK Magura National Park is located in the south of Poland, approx. 80 km east of Nowy Sącz and 90 km south of Tarnów. The Park covers a part of Low Beskids, seemingly ordinary mountains. From the name you can guess these are not very high mountains. Gentle summits, wide valleys, Orthodox churches, remains of Lemkos villages – they are the landscape of Beskids, where time stood still. The almost entire area of Magura National Park consists of beech, fir and rarely sycamore forests, all in naturally preserved condition. Large stretches of forest are a sanctuary for animals, including many endangered species. There are 117 breeding bird species within the Park area. Particularly numerous are birds of prey – especially buzzard and lesser spotted eagle. The population density of Ural Owl is probably the highest in Europe. The forests are inhabited by large mammals: bears and wolves, on Magura Wątkowska: lynx and disappearing wildcats. Roe deer, deer and wild boars are common animals there.
THE NAREW NATIONAL PARK Natural, almost virgin river system is one of the biggest natural attractions in Poland. The most interesting example of a wild lowland river is Narew. From Suraż to Rzędziany, the river creates a very complicated, branched network of canals, channels and old river beds. Hydrologists classify Narew as an anastomosing river. There are only several rivers of this type worldwide, e.g. the Amazon River and the Congo River. In Europe, this river type can be seen only here. Narew National Park is located only 15 km from Białystok borders. The National Park covers dozens of kilometres in the Narew valley between Suraż and Rzędziany. The main reason to create a national park was a unique character of the river which flows simultaneously in many channels. Narew river is the most beautiful in early spring when strong turquoise colour of water contrasts with warm sandy colour of reeds. At this time, Narew valley is one of the most important stops for migrating birds. The water labyrinth shelters thousands of breeding and migratory birds. A symbol of Narew National Park is Western Marsh harrier (predatory bird from Accipitridae family) whose number of breeding couples is estimated at over 30. In spring, it's easy to watch numerous ducks, seagulls, terns, ruffs, black-tailed godwits, peewits, snipes, cranes and harriers. Of 203 bird species present in the Park, 28 is threatened with extinction. The biggest mammal in Narew Park is elk. By Narew you can also meet beavers, muskrats, otters, badgers and foxes. In Narew National Park there are over 20 protected plant species, e.g. early marsh orchid, heath spotted orchid, Siberian iris, Dianthus superbus, round-leaved sundew.
THE OJCOW NATIONAL PARK The smallest national park in Poland located in a short distance from Cracow city borders. It used to be called “Polish Switzerland”. Although small in size – it's over twenty times smaller than Biebrza National Park – it charms with its landscape – especially the iconic Maczuga Herkulesa (Cudgel of Hercules) by the castle in Pieskowa Skała. Ojców National Park is located around Prądnik Valley which traverses limestone rocks of Cracow-Częstochowa Upland. Geological structure and later karst processes led to development of numerous caves which had been inhabited by people from time immemorial. The oldest traces discovered in Jaskinia Ciemna (dark cave) are dated to 120 thousand years BC. Many objects were found in Ojców caves such as: stone bifaces, knives, blades made of mammoth tusks, decorated animal bones, stone tips and flint spears. Many legends are connected with the caves in this area, and the most famous is a legend on Władysław the Elbow-high. Apparently, when escaping from Cracow from the Czech king army he sheltered in one of the caves. A huge spider spun a web in the entry to the cave, thus stopping the pursuit. The "spider trace" of the legend is even more interesting considering the fact that Jaskinia Łokietka (Elbow-high Cave) is populated by meta menardi – the most venomous spider living in Poland. Jaskinia Łokietka, similarly to several other caves in this area is open to the visitors. When travelling a winding road from Cracow, it's impossible to miss Maczuga Herkulesa (Cudgel of Hercules) and the castle in Pieskowa Skała located behind it. In nearby Ojców, there are ruins of another castle which gradually fell into ruin since the “Swedish Deluge” (Swedish Invasion). An interesting attraction is a chapel on water. Its construction is related to the order of the Russian Tsar Nicholas II. The Tsar prohibited construction of religious buildings on Ojców land. The constructors of the chapel circumvented the Tsar's prohibition and built the chapel on water.
THE BORY TUCHOLSKIE NATIONAL PARK Bory Tucholskie National Park is situated about 120 km south-west of Gdańsk and approximately 100 km north of Bydgoszcz. It occupies only a part of the vast forest complex called Bory Tucholskie (Tuchola Forest). The local landscape is dominated by woods and lakes, including unique mid-forest lobelia lakes characterised by very high water transparency. The largest lake adjoining the Park’s western border is the channel Charzykowskie Lake: almost 18 km long and up to 2 km wide. One of the Park’s major attractions is Struga Siedmiu Jezior (the Seven Lakes’ Stream): a rivulet connecting seven glacial channel lakes. The total length of this unusual stream is 13 km, but the river sections between the lakes only total 2 km. River banks are inhabited by many rare bird species including white-tailed eagle, western marsh.
THE TABLE MOUNTAINS PARK Considering the landscape, the Table Mountains are one of the most original places in Poland. Extensive, flat summits, cut with deep ravines, and unusual shapes of eroded sandstone create an atmosphere of fantasy movies. The Park is located in Kłodzko Valley, a dozen kilometres west from Kłodzko. On the north-east it neighbours Kudowa Zdrój. Initial exploration of the Park can be started by driving the “road of hundred bends”. You can also use a hiking trail or bicycle route from Kudowa. A great base for hiking is Karłów located between the biggest attractions of the Park: Szczeliniec Wielki and Błędne Skały. The Park has a very well developed tourist infrastructure. In a small distance, there are three mountain hostels: in Pasterka, Karłów and at Szczeliniec Wielki. The last one, located over a rock edge, is the most beautiful viewpoint in the Table Mountains. The hiking and bicycle
route network is very dense. Cross-country skiing trails are prepared in winter. Within the Park, six locations for rock climbing are indicated.
THE WARTA MOUTH NATIONAL PARK Formed in 2001 Warta Mouth National Park covers a surface of 8074 hectares. It lies near the PolishGerman border, in a fragment of Toruń-Eberswald proglacial stream valley, the so called Gorzów Valley. Flat, wide terrains of the Park are situated within the lower bench of Warta River. The Warta River flowing through the middle of the Park is a natural border between two areas, Northern Polder and the floodland. The floodland is a semi-natural area in which annual water level fluctuations may reach up to 4 meters with its maximum in the spring months (March and April). The Northern Polder is separated from a direct influence of Warta by a levee build along the river bed. The water level is here definitely lower than at the left bank and relatively stable. Nowadays Park’s landscape is a mosaic of meadows, pastures and areas overgrown by sedge and reed. The existing plant communities
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developed valleys of big lowland rivers. The remnants of its original character are willow shrubs that formed secondarily at the Warta River bed, communities of carr forest as well as single, grand willows and elms. The record of bird species of Warta Mouth National Park includes over 270 species along with 170 breeding ones. Some of them are listed in the Polish Red Data Book of Animals: Little Bittern, Shelduck, Common Teal, Little Gull, Eurasian Curlew. Many bird species living in the Park are regarded as species requiring special care according to the so called Birds Directive, one of the documents on which Natura 2000 protected area network is based. Among the 190 bird species listed in the Directive, 64 have been affirmed in the Park. These are breeding birds like: Bittern, Black-crowned Night Heron, Corncrake, Spotted Crake, Black Tern, Little Tern, Aquatic Warbler and also species present during
migration season like: Eurasian Golden Plover, Hen Harrier, and these wintering ones: Whooper Swan and Tundra Swan. Regarding the breeding as well the molting and migration seasons, the floodlands and meadows of Warta Mouth National Park are of vital meaning for birds across whole Europe. Numerous plovers like: Wood Sandpipers, Spotted Redshanks and Ruffs stop here. In autumn the meadows at Warta River are being taken over by geese, numbering usually about 60-80 thousand, and maximally even 200 thousand. The flocks of arctic geese are dominated by Bean Geese, a bird that is a symbol of our Park. The Park is also a crucial wintering place for many species like: Whooper Swans, Mute Swans, and White-tailed Eagles. Not many places in Poland can boast such a incredibly high and diverse amount of birds. Sometimes during only one day 250 thousand of birds may be observed, so it is not odd that the meadows at Warta River are under protection within The Ramsar Convention.
THE PIENINY NATIONAL PARK Pieniny National Park is a mountain park located 120 km south of Cracow. The easiest way to reach the Park is via a road from Cracow towards Zakopane, in Nowy Targ turning in the direction of Krościenko. The Pieniny Park was created in the area of Pieniny, a 35 km long and 6 km wide mountain range. The interest in nature protection in the Pieniny area reaches 1920s, when a flora reserve was created in Czorsztyn. Vegetation in Pieniny Park is extraordinarily abounding. You can find 167 mountain plant species here, including two endemic species: Pieniny wallflower and Pieniny dandelion. There are many orchids, on the meadows you can find Veratrum Lobelianum, a plant with beautiful, large leaves. The best month to see flowers and plants is June. Large mammals in Pieniny are not numerous, but the Pieniny meadows are famous for abundance of butterflies; the best known one is the Mountain Apollo, which can be found only here.
THE POLESIE NATIONAL PARK Located 50 km northeast of Lublin, Polesie National Park is a unique complex of marshes, swamps, lakes, ponds and forests. It is a last fragment of Polesie landscape which withheld intensive land reclamation activities in the 1960s. Here you can find something that used to be called “the Charm of Polesie”. The famous Polish swamps can be crossed dry-shod walking on specially prepared footbridges, e.g. the nature trail Dąb Dominik (Dominic Oak). The trails start near Łomnica village, and at the beginning lead through different types of forests, through broadleaved and swamp forests. Near Moszne Lake we reach a peat bog, on which there is a footbridge leading up to the lake, which is in the last phase of overgrowing. A tour is fascinating especially for persons interested in flora. On the way through the peat bog, you can meet many rare plant species: downy willow, round-leaved sundew or Rhododendron tomentosum. Perehod path in the northern part of the Park is prepared for bird admirers. There are two observation towers. A path is led around complex of ponds, partially on a causeway in the middle of the reservoirs. Depending on the season, on the 5kilometre route, you can see dozens of bird species, e.g.: white-tailed eagle, western marsh harrier, spotted eagle, white heron, bittern, mute swan, whooper swan, many species of duck, goose and Ciconiiformes. The biggest resident of the Polish swamps is the elk. In the forests we can encounter roe deer, deer and wild boars, sometimes wolves. In Polesie National Park occurs European pond turtle, the only Polish species of turtle, in the past very common, now the most endangered reptile in Poland.
THE ROZTOCZE NATIONAL PARK Roztocze National Park is situated in the south-east of Poland, approximately 30 km southwest of Zamość and includes the most precious natural areas of Roztocze. Environmental
protection in Roztocze has a tradition reaching the end of the 16th,century when fragments of Central Roztocze were included in Zamoyski Estate. A type of zoo – menagerie was then established and surrounded by a 30-kilometre fence, within which wild animals were kept. Roztocze National Park is a typical forest location. 95% of the area is covered by beech, pine and fir forests. In the Park, there are more than 400 monumental trees; local fir trees grow up to 50 metres. Large mammals are represented by deer, wild boars, wolves, lynx and badgers. The biggest attraction of the Park is a wild Polish Pony herd living in an allocated enclave. Polish Pony is a species coming from Przewalski's Horse. Until the end of the 18th century they lived in forest areas of Eastern Poland. All year, Ponies live in the wild, human interference is limited only to feeding in the winter season. Every year, a couple of foals are born in the herd. The Ponies may be observed from a special observation tower by Echo pond, few hundred metres behind Zwierzyniec in the direction of Górecko Stare. Wild herds of Polish Ponies may be seen also in Biebrza National Park, Popielno and Stobnica. A natural attraction of Roztocze are Szum and Nad Tanwią reserves located south of the Park. The reserves include valleys of small forest rivers with picturesque waterfalls and river steps called here szumy, szypoty or porohy.
THE SLOVINSKI NATIONAL PARK Apart from Wolin Park, Slovinski National Park is one of two seaside national parks in Poland. The Park is located between Łeba and Rowy, 115 km northwest of Gdańsk. One of attractions of Slovinski National Park are moving dunes, which in the Park reach the height of dozens of meters, and are one of the largest in Europe. Huge sand mountains are deceptively similar to Sahara deserts. With a bit of luck, it is even possible to experience a sandstorm. Just like on a real desert, when going for a couple-hour hike, you cannot forget to take solid water supplies. Slovinski National Park is unusual because in direct neighbourhood there are moving dunes, marshes, peat bogs, lakes and forests buried by dunes. In other locations, wind discovers dead stumps of trees buried in the past under the sand. It is worth to visit the Park early in the morning, before the crowds of tourist.
Slovinski National Park is located on the route of seasonal bird passage, and you can meet here eagle owls, cranes, black storks, ruffs. In winter, the Park is visited by birds from the north. In the forest you can encounter elks, foxes, racoon dogs and badgers. The Park was named by Slovincians, a group of people who used to live by Gardno and Łebsko lakes. Slovincians called themselves Kashubians and used Kashubian dialect. Those who are interested in the history of this land should visit the open-air ethnographic museum in Kluki, located east of Smołdzino. Considering unusual natural diversity, in 1977 Slovinski National Park was included in UNESCO World Network of Biosphere Reserves.
THE SWIĘTOKRZYSKI NATIONAL PARK The Świętokrzyskie Mountains are the oldest and the lowest mountains in Poland, characterised by unique geological features to be found nowhere else in Europe. Świętokrzyski National
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Świętokrzyskie Mountains, called the Łysogóry. The Park is situated about 20 km east of the city of Kielce. It covers the entire Łysogóry Ridge and parts of Klonowskie and Pokrzywiańskie Ridges. The highest peaks in the Park are Mount Łysica (612 metres above sea level) situated in the western part of the Łysogóry, and Mount Łysa Góra (595 metres above sea level) with a former Benedictine monastery, which towers over the eastern part of the ridge. The slopes of the Łysogóry ridge are covered by the so-called gołoborza (screes): vast areas of rock rubble formed by the weathering of Cambrian quartzite. Tourists trekking in the Łysogóry tread the oldest and the hardest rocks in Poland. As they pick a splinter of quartzite from under their feet, they are touching a petrified piece of the sea bed from 500 million years ago. The Świętokrzyskie Mountains are famous for their natural fir woods. Dominant tree species include fir, but also oak and beech. This type of mixed forest can only be found in Poland in the Świętokrzyskie Mountains and certain parts of the Roztocze hill range. Its endemic character is emphasised by its Latin name Abietetum polonicum. The Łysogóry ridge is a land of legends. Every Polish kid has heard of mysterious Witches’ Sabbaths held on Mount Łysa Góra. The myth of Łysa Góra has its factual roots: the
mountain top is surrounded with nearly 1.5 km-long wall built of Cambrian quartzite. In the ancient times, the peak was probably a place of worship. The inner area enclosed by the wall could once witness magical pagan rituals. According to the legend, witches headed to their Sabbaths on Mount Łysa Góra riding broomsticks or carts pulled by goats. Today it is hard to believe that the belief in the existence of witches in Europe continued for more than three hundred years. The last witch trial in Poland was held in 1775: 14 women were convicted of witchcraft and burnt at the stake.
THE TATRA NATIONAL PARK The Tatra Mountains, located at both sides of Polish and Slovak border are part of the Carpathian Mountains – huge mountain range running from Romania, through Ukraine, Slovakia and Poland. In Poland, which is mainly a lowland country, the Tatras are loved. Every season, tourists from all over Poland and abroad hike the Tatra Mountains trails. Located 100 km south from Cracow, Tatra National Park is the most visited national park in Poland with unique mountain landscape. It is created of jagged mountain peaks and ridges, steep precipices, deep valleys, glacial cirques, gullies, lakes and swift streams. The highest summit in Poland is Rysy located at the Polish and Slovak border at 2499 metres above sea level. In Tatra National Park there are more than 270 km of hiking trails of different difficulties: from very easy, suitable for walks, to requiring significant skills and equipped with safety devices such as chains, step irons, ladders. There are also climbing routes. For a few years it's been possible to cross the Polish and Slovak border in the locations where trails from these countries meet. Flora and fauna in the Tatras is very rich and diverse. Typically mountain plants present in the Tatra Mountains are: Swiss pine, Leontopodium alpinum, Crocus scepusiensis, stemless carline thistle. The remaining of the ice age are relict plants: net-leaved willow and mountain avens. The animal world is also unique. You can meet here chamois and marmots. The Tatras are one of rare places where you can meet brown bear, lynx and very rare golden eagle. Another reason for which the Tatras are a special place is the harmonious connection between the beauty of nature and the Goral (highland) culture present in the dialect, clothes, music and architecture. Polish settlers form Cracow region settling at the foot
of the Tatras mixed with a Vlach pastoral people travelling from the south, creating the Podhale region's Goral culture. For every tourist a visit in the Tatras leaves the taste of local traditional cheeses: bunc, oscypek, bryndza as well as żentyca – delicious and refreshing drink made from sheep milk. Typical Goral music can be heard in the streets and restaurants. The Goral culture popular at the turn of the 19th and 20th century propagated the Goral wood architecture whose great examples can be found in Zakopane and the entire Podhale region.
THE WIELKOPOLSKA NATIONAL PARK The National Park of Wielkopolska was created on April 16, 1957 pursuant to a regulation by the Council of Ministers, the area within its borders was 9600ha, and 5100 was to be administered by the Park. In 1996 a new regulation by the Council of Ministers concerning the National Park limited its area to 7584ha and created a protected buffer zone around the Park. This zone's area, together with the area of the Park, totaled 14840ha. Some areas were excluded form the Park, such as the urban areas of Puszczykowo, Mosina and Stęszew. The National Park of Wielkopolska is located around 15 km south of Poznań and has a very convenient bus and train connection with this city (Poznań- Wrocław rail line), and through Poznań, thanks to many fast trains, also with Warsaw. The National Park of Wielkopolska is one of the most attractive areas around the city of Poznań.
THE WIGRY NATIONAL PARK Wigry National Park is an essence of all postglacial forms. A “specialist” armed with geology textbook can find here bottom and terminal morains, eskers, kames, outwash sand plains and other forms left by the glacier. A tourist can see hills pleasing to the eye with depressions
filled with ponds and lakes – a landscape reminding partly Scandinavia, and partly green Hobbiton from Tolkien's novel. The Park is situated in the northern part of Augustów Primeval Forest, south-east from Suwałki. The area is a cultural borderland between Poland, Belarus and Lithuania
an
interesting place, not only for its natural values. Here is an old Camaldolese monastery which in the past was one of the most powerful monasteries in Poland and one of the richest in Europe. Geological history of the area includes mainly the last glaciation which ended approximately 12 thousand years ago. A result of the glacier activities is the most beautiful and the biggest lake in the Park – Wigry. The lake is S-shaped and 20kilometre in length. Its shores are irregular, as though jagged, with many islands and smaller ponds surrounding the lake. The bottom of Wigry lake is a postglacial channel, uneven and locally very deep (73 metres). The Park flora proves the recent presence of the glacier. 18 species being relicts of the ice age were identified. These are bushes and shrubs typical for tundra, such as Arctic dwarf birch (Betula humilis) and black crowberry (Empetrum nigrum). Today, the landscape is dominated by forests taking more than a half of the Park area. In the Middle Ages the forest occupied a much larger area. Gradual forest disappearance is related to the arrival of Camaldolese order in the Wigry region in 1667. By Wigry lake, the Camaldolese order built a church, monastery, and hermitages – isolated cottages for monks. They also started intensive civilization of the forest. They founded villages, towns, tar kilns, lumber mills and traded wood. The largest city in the region – Suwałki – was founded by the Camaldolese order. Today, the monastery hosts Creative Work Centre. Hermitages are made available as accommodation places. This is a rare opportunity for visitors to try a monastic life.
THE WOLIN NATIONAL PARK The most beautiful fragment of the Polish Baltic Sea cost is located at Wolin Island in the northwest corner of Poland. Several kilometres long cliffs reach a height exceeding 90 metres. A short walk on the sea shore from Międzyzdroje towards east is enough to see that Wolin is a place where forces of nature clash. It is proven by fallen tree trunks, active landslides or rocks extracted from cliffs by storm waves. Every year, the sea takes almost a metre of the land. The most valuable fragments of the cliffy coast are within the Wolin National Park. Another Park attraction are unique beech forest communities and Świna River delta together with several smaller islands. Approximately 1500 m from the centre of Międzyzdroje, there is a show bison corral, an ideal target for an evening walk.White-tailed sea eagle is a symbol of the Park. In spring and autumn every year, the Park is a place of rest for migrating birds. In the forest you can encounter roe deer, deer, wild boars and even badgers. On the dunes, you can find a “Polish cactus” Sea holly, and in the forest, even few species of orchids.