Białowieża National Park
Along with being on the UNESCO World Heritage List, the Białowieża National Park is one of the last remaining primeval forests in all of Europe. Located near the border with Belarus, the national park offers visitors the chance to learn more at the Museum of Nature and Forest and the Center for Nature Education, both of which are within the park. It is known for being home to the largest population of European bison in the world, and travelers will be able to spot them along with roe deer, wild boar, elk, red deer, wolves and a range of other forest mammals. Right outside of the national park is the small village of Białowieża, which boasts a 19th century English garden called the Palace Park as well as historic wooden architecture.
Tatra National Park
The High Tatras Mountain Range stretches over the border of Poland and Slovakia. The portion found in Slovakia is known as the Vysoké Tatry while the portion found in Poland is the Tatra National Park. Thanks to breathtaking scenery, more than 170 miles of hiking trails, underground cave systems and even waterfalls, Tatra is one of the most popular national parks in all of Poland. Like Białowieża, Tatra is a UNESCO biosphere reserve, sealing its future as a protected space free from development. Many visitors use the city of Zakopane, which is located in the Tatra Mountains, as a gateway to the national park.
Slowinski National Park
Along the Baltic Coast of Northern Poland, within the Pomeranian Voivodeship, is the Slowinki National Park. Established in 1967, Slowinski is now a UNESCO biosphere reserve as well as a popular park for those interested in exploring Poland’s scenic coastline. There are over 105 miles of paved and maintained pathways suitable for hiking within the park, offering visitors the chance to admire the dunes and the rolling waves of the Baltic Sea as well as climb the many observation towers that dot the park and provide even better vantage points. The resort city of Łeba, found at the entrance to the Slowinski National Park, is a great spot for visitors to spend the night before or after exploring the park. Łeba offers horseback riding right on the sand for a memorable time in Poland.
Biebrzanski National Park
The Biebrza National Park, known in Polish as Biebrzański Park Narodowy, is located along the Biebrza River in northeastern Poland. The national park is a huge draw for travelers eager to spot indigenous wildlife in their local habitats. Biebrzanski occupies more than 200 square miles and has pristine wetlands and marshes that serve at the home to rare birds, elk, beaver, otters and wolves. Visitors who spend time in the national park will almost certainly want to spend time at the Osowiec Fortress, located just minutes away. The Osowiec Fortress was built by the Russian Empire in the 19th century and is now a testament to Poland’s history and serves as a museum as well as a military training facility.
Ojcowski National Park
The Ojcowski National Park, located in Southern Poland, is just 10 miles from Poland’s second-largest city, Krakow. Despite the proximity to such a bustling urban metropolis, the Ojcowski National Park is strictly protected, offering a peaceful retreat from the hustle and bustle of city life. Perhaps the most interesting thing about the park is the topography, which varies wildly and includes ravines, canyons, limestone cliffs and ravines. Lush greenery dominates the landscape, and the park is home to more than 5,500 different species of animals, birds and insects. On a stroll through the park, a visitor might spot bats in caves, beavers making dams or stoat weasels scurrying to and fro. Ojcowski National Park boasts several stunning castles, including a Gothic castle in ruins, a Renaissance castle in much better condition and two impressive historical and military museums. These Polish national parks represent some of the best scenery and outdoor exploration in the country. Whether a visitor wants to hike in seclusion, spot wildlife in their natural habitats or get to know the country’s history, these parks are an incredible way to do just that.
