Travels in the forest
Kampinos National Park is one the the most beautiful areas in Poland in terms of landscape and one of the few national parks in the world located close to the modern metropolis. It shows how the Vistula river pro glacial valley looked centuries ago, overgrown with impenetrable forest. Until a few centuries ago, kings and prices hunted big fame here, beekeepers took honey from bees and builders produced tar, charcoal and potash.
During the wars and uprisings, the Poles fought the enemy in the area of Kampinos and sought shelter here. Today, the Kampinos Forest is not only an ideal place for relaxation, physical activity, contact with nature and history, but also a place of remembrance and education.
You can plan a trip to the park regardless of whether you have only a few hours or a whole day at your disposal, because it is located close to Warsaw. In Kampinos you can find educational paths and hiking trails ideal for walks and bicycle trips, and in winter also for cross- country skiing – all awaiting tourists.
How to visit the park, walking paths and bicycle routes
Interesting paths are located a short distance from the borders of Warsaw. Some of them can be reached by public transport. One of the most popular trails in the park begins in the village of Granica that is also one of the most beautifully situated forest villages. The path is shaped like a loop and its length is less than 4 km. It runs from the car park along the edge of Olszowiecki Błota to the Kampinos Forest Museum. The open- air Museum of Kampinos Architecture and the observation tower are unique attractions in the area. It is an ideal route for families with children and people looking for and interesting jogging route or walking the dog. Allow 1.5 – 2 hours for walking.
The path to Lipowska Woda is another route for a short walk. It is only 1.5 km long and runs around the Lipków clearing. The starting point of the loop is the Church of St. Roch in Lipków. There are 7 shops along the route with information boards. The paths is especially recommended for those starting their adventure with Nordic walking.
The Memory Trail near Warsaw leads from Laski to Wólka Węglowa. On the route, you will pass the grave of the insurgent, the stone of the Jazłowiecki Lancers, the grave of the Lancers and the historic cemetery in Wólka Węglowa. It is recommended to allocate 3-4 hours to cover the 12 km route.
The Kampinos Bicycle Trail is a route along the borders of the park for lovers of cycling. There are a total 144 km of paths marked in green color. The trail starts in Wólka Węglowa, and on the way it turns into, among others to Żelazowa Wola, Brochów, Palmiry and Łomianki.
Other attractions
It is worth to remember that you can go for a walk around Kampinos and also visit other attractions of this part of Mazovia, such as the birthplace of Fryderyk Chopin in Żelazowa Wola, the Church of St. Roch in Brochów – the place of the wedding of Fryderyk Chopin’s parents and the baptism of the composer, the Julinek Amusement Park, the Narrow – Gauge Railway Museum in Sochaczew, the Museum of the Sochaczew Region and the Battlefield of the Bzura. A detailed map with all routes marked is available on the website http://kampinoski-pn.gov.pl/images/zoomify/map1.htm.
You can also find tips for trips around the park in tourists brochures published by the Kampinos National Park.
General information
The Kampinos National Park covers the area of 38.5 thousand hectares and another 37.7 thousand hectares is its protection zone. The Kampinos landscape is dominated by dunes and swamps with several hundred species of plants and lowland amphibians and reptiles. There are also about 160 bird species nesting there, including crane, black stork, corncrake, white-tailed eagle and lesser spotted eagle.
See also:
Kampinos Bike Route
Julinek, Art, Entertainment and good fun close to nature
Little Feet and Kampinos Forest
Żelazowa Wola. The starting point of Chopin’s biography
Sochaczew. Castle. Railway and Battle of the Bzura
Mazovia still has a forest
Description in cooperation with the Kurpie Tourist Organization and the Association for the Promotion and Development of the Zegrze Reservoir.
