8 Kolobrzeska, Bydgoszcz, Poland
When it comes to flora specimens worth visiting the majority of the most interesting species are called and protected in Poland as “the monuments of nature”. The biggest group here are old trees, there are about 26 thousand of them in Poland, especially oaks, linden and yew-trees. The biggest concentration of old trees can be found in Białowieża National Park and forests which is th e only natural region of Poland enlisted at UNESCO World Heritage List. The most important pecul iarity of fauna is European bison. The newest available data from 2018 says that there are about 1800 specimens of it in Poland. Great majority of European bisons live free in Białowieża, Bieszczady regions and Borecka and Knyszyńska forest and Wałcz forested area. Other interesting natural enclaves include Milickie Ponds 5.3 thousand hectares is the biggest protected complex of ponds-meadows and lakes in Europe. In Poland there are also 23 national parks where tourists can perform bird watching or mammal spotting. The biggest mammals in Poland include: European bison, elk, wolf, fox, lynx, deer and wild boar.
There are 4 major mountain ranges in Poland: the Tatras, the Sudetes, the St. Cross Mountains and the Bieszczady. All of them are situated in the southern part of Poland. The most popular tourist towns and villages in these areas include Zakopane, Karpacz and Szklarska Poręba, Kielce; Solina, Cisna and Ustrzyki Górne. The most popular rock formations can be found in the Tatras, the Sudetes and Cracow-Częstochowa Jurassic Region. The last one is Mecca for rock-climbers. Błędne Skały and Szczeliniec Wielki in Sudetes are the most popular rock complexes in Poland. They create huge labyrinths that tourists can enter and stroll along. Maczuga Herkulesa near Pieskowa Skała Palace is the best well known single rock formation in the country.
When it comes to the most interesting valleys and gorges it is hard not to mention Dunajec Gorge along which there are famous traditional rafting cruises organized. They are truly memorable tourist experiences. The most famous valleys can be found in Tatra Mountains: Kościeliska and Chochołowska. Both have length of about 8 km and amazing views along the way. Other interesting attractions of this type include: Kraków Gorge, Radunia Ravine, Szum Gorge, Homole Gorge, Prądnik Valley and loess gorges near Sandomierz. The biggest waterfalls can be observed in the Tatras. The most often visited by tourists are Wielka Siklawa, Wodogrzmoty Mickiewicza and Siklawica. The most famous waterfalls in the Sudetes are Kamieńczyk, Szklarki and Podgórnej waterfalls. Other popular ones are Wilczki in Międzygórze and Cieżkowicki in Cieżkowice. Last but not least Poland has a few beautiful caves. The most distinctive ones include Raj Cave in the St. Cross Mountains and Bear Cave in Sudetes. Other popular ones include Mroźna Cave in Tatras and Łokietka Cave in Jurassic Cracow-Częstochowa Region. In general in Poland there are about 2800 caves and their length is estimated for 150 km.
Apart from the above mentioned attractions Poland has also a few peculiarities. Błędowska Desert is the only desert at European Lowland area. In Słowiński National Park Tourists can observe moving dunes of great hight. In Tatra National Park visitors enjoy alpine landscapes with post-glacial formations. Old volcanic formations can be discovered near St. Anna Mountain. There is also amazing grouping of lakes in Mazurian Lake District that is one of major Polish tourist regions.
All in all, Poland has lots to offer for all nature lovers. Almost each part of the country shows a great diversity of natural attractions. This is why it is really worth to include natural attractions of Poland in your trip plans. Ask ITS Poland DMC specialists what you can see during your trip!
Author: Agnieszka Szwedzińska
