8 Fabulous Forests in Poland
About 30% of Poland is covered in forests and is home to the last remaining part of the primaeval forest which once covered the vast European Plain. Join us on a journey through the pristine nature of the Białowieża Forest, the otherworldly Crooked Forest, the out-of-the-way Dolnośląskie Woods and more!
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A sunny morning over the river Narewka in the Białowieża Forest, photo: Agencja Wschód / Forum
We start off with what is quite possibly Poland’s most famous woodland. Puszcza Białowieska (Białowieża Forest) is one of Europe’s greatest natural wonders, as it is the last remaining part of the primaeval forest that used to cover the vast European Plain stretching across the continent. Białowieża is approximately 8,000 years old and lies in both Poland and Belarus. The Polish part, located in the central portion of Poland’s Eastern border, covers an area of approximately 630 square kilometres.
The pristine nature of Białowieża Forest is made up mostly of deciduous woods but conifers are also prevalent here. The most common trees include oaks, black alders, pines and spruces. One of Białowieża Forest’s most spectacular trees is the mighty oak Maciek that’s 41 metres high and about 450 years old. There are also numerous boggy areas, some of which are covered by rare forest compositions like peatland spruce woods.
Białowieża Forest is home to a great variety of animals including deer, wolves and lynx. But it’s most well-known as the habitat of the majestic European bison, or żubr. The forest is home to the world’s largest wild population of this animal, which is close to 1,000. Due to its unique environmental values Białowieża Forest is on the UNESCO World Heritage List.
Discover the extraordinary nature reserve on foot, by bicycle, or ride on a nifty narrow-gauge train that travels the picturesque route from the town of Hajnówka to the village of Topiło!
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Cascades on the river Tanew in Solska Forest, photo: Adam Ławnik / East News
Also in eastern Poland, but this time to the south, lies the beautiful Puszcza Solska (Solska Forest). Situated near the town of Biłgoraj, this woodland covers an area of about 1,240 square kilometres. It’s made up mostly of pine woods, some of which were planted artificially. Fir trees are also prominent in this area.
The Solska Forest is home to a number of rare bird species and, as such, has been declared an Important Bird Area by BirdLife International, an organisation which aims to protect birds and their habitats. Among the uncommon birds found in this wood you can find the western capercaillie, the black stork and the European nightjar.
Another distinctive element of the Solska Forest are the small but picturesque cascades that can be found on the watercourses that pass through it. These cascades are called szypoty and can be found, for example, on the river Tanew which has 24 of them.
The forest also has something special for horse admirers. In the village of Szklarnia, you’ll find Poland’s only habitat of the Biłgoraj horse. This unique species is distinctly Polish and descends from the wild horses which used to live in Eastern Europe and Western Asia. Meanwhile, those interested in archaeology may visit the site of a former 12th-century Slavic stronghold that can be found on the forest’s Kościółek hill.
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Niepołomicka Forest, photo: Renata Kosińska & Marek Kosiński / Forum
Southern Poland is also home to another magnificent Polish forest – Puszcza Niepołomicka (Niepołomicka Forest). This ancient green area lies just 20 kilometres east of Kraków. The forest covers an area of about 110 square kilometres and is divided into two areas. The smaller northern part is made up mostly of deciduous trees, such as oaks, whereas the larger southern part features mainly coniferous trees like pines and spruces. The forest is also home to the largest marsh area in the Lesser Poland region, called Wielkie Błoto (The Great Mud). Therefore, you can encounter plenty of plants that thrive in boggy terrain, like the bog bilberry.
Due to its proximity to the former capital of Poland, this forest historically served as a hunting ground for Polish monarchs. Kazimierz Wielki, Władysław Jagiełło and Zygmunt I the Old were among the rulers that came to the Niepołomicka Forest to hunt for bears, European bison, or the now extinct aurochs. Today, the forest is also home to numerous wild animals like deer and boars.
The forest is also host to an artificial habitat of European bison. Located in the village of Poszyna, it provides shelter for about thirty bison. This sanctuary, however, isn’t open to visitors. On the other hand, visitors are more than welcome to visit the Royal Castle in the town of Niepołomice, just outside of the forest. The impressive castle dates back to the 13th century and served, among other things, as a hunting residence for Polish kings. Today, it houses a museum which lets you explore the building’s historical architecture.
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Kampinoska Forest, photo: Adam Ławnik / East News
Another Polish woodland located in the vicinity of a big city is the Puszcza Kampinoska (Kampinoska Forest). This fabulous forest lies right in the north-western outskirts of Warsaw and covers an area of about 270 square kilometres. Due to the forest’s close proximity to the city, it’s a popular destination for Varsovians seeking to commune with nature.
The characteristic terrain of Kampinoska Forest is composed of strips of sandy dunes interspersed with marshes. The dune areas are covered mostly with pines which are the forest’s most prevalent trees. The marshes are, on the other hand, home to deciduous trees like alders and birches.
Kampinos, as it is known, is home to plenty of wild animals, most notably, to about 300 moose. The moose is the largest wild beast living in the woodland and, as such, is its cherished symbol. You’ll also encounter beavers which – as you’d expect – thrive in the forest’s watercourses. The forest is an important habitat for birds such as the corn crake or common grasshopper warbler.
One of the most impressive trees growing in the Kampinoska Forest is the Jagiellon Oak, which stands tall beside the Kacapska Droga trail. This tree is about 400 years old and its girth measures 550 centimetres!
Interested in some culture after a nature walk? The village of Żelazowa Wola, the birthplace of Fryderyk Chopin, is located just outside of the forest. Explore the home of the famous composer!
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The Crooked Forest near Gryfino, photo: Sebastian Wołosz / AG
Szczecin, located in the north, close to Poland’s border with Germany, is also a neighbour of amazing woodlands. About 20 kilometres to the south of Szczecin, near the town of Gryfino, you can find the absolutely stunning and unusual Krzywy Las (Crooked Forest).
This green area is only about 0,33 hectares but it is definitely a sight to behold. Walk in to the forest and discover 100 crooked pine trees – the sight is otherworldly! What makes it even more unusual is that all the pines around them look perfectly normal.
The reason for their whimsical winding remains a mystery to this day – the most plausible explanation, however, is that the Crooked Forest is man-made. The pines are estimated to be around 90 years old and were probably clipped by humans when they were young. This could have been done purposefully – arching the trees could’ve been used to make things like barrels, boats or sleighs. After World War II, the area was transferred from German to Polish jurisdiction and those that tended to the trees abandoned them. The clipped pines were never cut down for wood and kept on growing, creating the incredible Crooked Forest which we can admire today.
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Heathers in the Kozłowska Desert in Dolnośląskie Woods, photo: Dawid Lasociński / Forum
Also close to the German border, but in the south, lie the vast Bory Dolnośląskie (Dolnośląskie Woods). Located close to the town of Bolesławiec, this forest covers an area of approximately 1,650 square kilometres. The wood is predominantly made up of pines; deciduous trees like oaks and birches do grow here but are uncommon.
This huge forest is considered to be way off the beaten path. If you like to wander through nature without meeting a living soul for hours on end, you have a good chance of doing that here. One of the most distinctive parts of the Dolnośląskie Woods are the heather glades that can be found within the woodlands. These are particularly beautiful at the turn of August and September when heather blooms.
Also, in Dolnośląskie Woods you can encounter landscapes that are rather uncommon in Poland, namely sandy deserts. The Strachowska Desert is used for military training and is therefore off limits. But the picturesque Kozłowska Desert which lies in the vicinity of the village of Kozłów can be accessed by tourists. It’s worth adding that both of these deserts are modestly sized.
The Dolnośląskie Woods are home to deer, boars and wolves as well as predatory birds such as hawks and black kites. While you’re in the area, the nearby village of Kliczków boasts a 13th-century castle. This magnificent building, made up of different historical architectural styles, houses a hotel but can be visited by sightseers.
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Tucholskie Woods, photo: Marek Angiel / PAP
While Dolnośląskie Woods are huge, Bory Tucholskie (Tucholskie Woods) are even bigger. The forest covers an area of approximately 3,000 square kilometres, which makes it the second-biggest woodland in Poland (the Karpacka Forest in southern Poland is slightly bigger).
Tucholskie Woods lie in north-central Poland, near the town of Chojnice. They’re made up predominantly of pine trees, occasionally interspersed with deciduous trees like birches and oaks. The area also has dozens of sizeable lakes as well as the rivers Brda and Wda.
The picturesque river Brda meanders through the Tucholskie Woods alongside magnificent cliffs and boulder fields and is a favourite for those who enjoy kayaking. The river is home to numerous animals such as river trout and beavers. Other wild animals inhabiting the woods include boars and foxes.
One of the most impressive trees growing in the Tucholskie Woods is the Oak Bartuś (not to be confused with the Oak Bartek!). This grand tree, near Lake Płęsno, has the girth of 6,7 metres and is 25 metres tall. Its exact age isn’t known but it’s said to be a couple of hundred years old.
Another major attraction in Tucholskie Woods is the Goth burial ground near the village of Odry. It dates back to the beginning of the Common Era and consists of mysterious-looking stone circles as well as burial mounds. This intriguing site is tourist-friendly.
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Nidzkie lake in Piska Forest, photo: Jacek Bielecki / East News
The last woodland on our list is Puszcza Piska (Piska Forest) which lies in the north-eastern region of Mazury, near the town of Pisz. This wonderful forest covers an area of about 1,000 square kilometres and is made up mostly of pines and spruces. Deciduous trees like aspens or alders also grow here but are less prevalent.
One of the most distinctive parts of the forest are its great lakes. Among them Poland’s biggest lake, Śniardwy, which is almost 114 square kilometres large. Other sizeable lakes within the Piska Forest include Tałty and Bełdany. As you’d expect, the massive lakes in this area are a magnet for tourists, especially those interested in yachting.
Another major attraction in the Piska Forest is the Wild Animal Park in the village of Kadzidłowo. The animals live in conditions which are extremely close to their natural habitats. Many of them are tame and visitors can even pet or feed them. Among the dozens of species living at the park are deer, moose, Chinese muntjacs and… hedgehogs.
Piska Forest is also home to free-roaming wild animals such as boars, lynx or hare. It’s also an important habitat for birds, such as black kites or white storks – Poland’s pride. Those interested in architecture can visit the beautiful Dormition of the Mother of God Orthodox church, a wooden prayer house dating back to the early 20th century, in the village of Wojnowo.
Well, it looks like our journey through Polish forests has come to an end. If you’d like to explore more marvellous Polish landscapes with us, check out our 9 Most Glorious Polish Mountain Ranges article!
Written by Marek Kępa, Feb 21