What is a forest like? Everyone sees something different. For one person, it is a place of peace and calm, for another a mysterious space full of unknown creatures, and for someone else simply a collection of trees and bushes. However, whether we love it deeply or just like it, we must know that it has a huge impact on our well-being, even on our health. Therefore, it is worth looking for a green enclave near home, spending time there with loved ones, sometimes alone, and at the same time regenerating both body and mind. Don't know where to go to the forest near Warsaw? Discover the most interesting destinations that are a pleasant escape from the city's hustle and bustle.
You don't have to travel far to find yourself among almost wild nature and the singing of birds. Surprisingly close to the capital grow truly green oases. When we discover these places, we will feel like a real Indiana Jones, ready to start an exciting adventure. Chart new trails through dense thickets or enjoy the moment and lazily lounge on a forest glade. Everything according to preferences and possibilities.
We have already decided that we want to escape everyday life for a moment, but not to the other side of the world! The Kampinos Forest is highly recommended. Sometimes a bit trampled, too crowded on main trails, it still has much to offer. Just a little curiosity is enough to find quiet corners and discover secret beauty. Seventy percent of Kampinos is covered by forests, and its inland dune system is unique on a European scale! Many educational trails run through the area, some over wooden boardwalks built above swamps or wetlands. Hiking trails lead through diverse terrains, some of which can be crossed in a few hours. The highest concentration of trails is found in the southeastern part of the forest, closest to the capital. Excellent weekend challenges are the longer routes, some up to several dozen kilometers.
Cyclists will also find something for themselves. The Kampinos Bicycle Trail circles the entire Kampinos National Park and is over 144 km long. It starts on the very edge of the forest bordering Warsaw, then continues along asphalt and dirt roads. Less experienced bike enthusiasts can easily shorten the route thanks to special connectors. Where should cyclists go to the forest near Warsaw if they also want to visit interesting places? The most attractive section is considered to be the one between Leszno and Żelazowa Wola. In the village of Leszno, tourists will find the Baroque Łuszczewski Palace from the 18th century with a landscaped park, and in Żelazowa Wola, as known, there is the museum of Fryderyk Chopin's Birthplace.
The areas of the forest are deeply connected with the country’s history. From the Battle of Grunwald, when King Jagiełło passed through these lands with his army, through the refuge of the November Uprising insurgents, to the fights of the January Uprising. During World War II, numerous clashes took place here, and the forest served as a refuge for partisans. This still vivid history is remembered by the partisans’ cemetery, the Palmiry cemetery, and the nearby opened museum commemorating all murdered residents of Warsaw.
Located on the border of the Mazovian and Łódź voivodeships, Bolimów Landscape Park was established in the 1980s and has been expanded several times. It currently covers 24,000 hectares. It is 40 minutes by car from Warsaw, but it is worth making the trip to enjoy the natural richness of this place. It is home to pines, birches, ashes, maples, lindens, and oaks. Walking along woodland paths, you can discover the charms of this vast area, lily of the valley fields, and clearings unique in central Poland, remnants of former forest inhabitants.
Bolimów Park is a paradise for outdoor activity lovers. Among dense greenery, hiking and biking trails, educational paths, and natural monuments have been marked. More observant visitors might even spot traces of moose, and venturing deeper into the park, they might see a moose itself. Kayaking trips are organized on the meandering Rawka River flowing through the park. The Rawka Valley has been granted the status of a nature reserve. One of the most interesting trails leads along a picturesque escarpment by the Rawka, and the undulating terrain presents an engaging challenge for hikers.
It is worth staying longer in this area. On the park's outskirts, there is the Hotel Santa Natura Resort & SPA with a natural swimming pool and Estonian sauna. The facility has Cameroon goats and several beautiful horses.
Where else can residents of the capital go to the forest near Warsaw? The Mazovian Landscape Park, located southeast of the city, stretches for many kilometers along the eastern bank of the Vistula River. Its northern part, specifically the King Jan Sobieski Reserve, is still within Warsaw's limits and can be quickly reached by car or public transport. During a walk, lucky visitors have a chance to spot one of 250 animal species; if not, they can admire about a thousand plant species. Cycling routes offer challenges for riders of varying skill levels. Also commendable is the connection of these trails with public transport, allowing convenient travel without needing a car.
But that's not all the Mazovian Landscape Park has to offer. Its southwestern part is occupied by one of the largest, most photogenic peat bogs in Mazovia – Całowanie Bog. Unfortunately, the charming name does not come from a romantic story. The name originates from a nearby village. Of course, this does not diminish its magical atmosphere. The peat bog and surrounding forests are crossed by a wooden boardwalk belonging to an educational trail. It is 620 m long in total and includes an eight-meter-high observation tower. If anyone still isn’t convinced, consider that peat deposits here are up to 4.5 meters deep and grow at a rate of only 2-3 mm per year. It's easy to calculate how many thousands of years Całowanie Bog has been forming.
The park has existed since the early 1990s and lies south of Warsaw, on the left bank of the Vistula. Rich in nature, known for lush forests, picturesque valleys of the Jeziorka and Zielona rivers, disappearing marsh ponds, as well as varied terrain, it is an excellent destination for hiking. It is easy to get here by car and then park nearby without any problem. Educational paths and tourist routes have been marked in Chojnów Landscape Park to help visitors discover unique ecosystems. The paths are equipped with information boards and educational puzzles, for example about waste segregation or edible mushrooms, as well as original jigsaw puzzles. They provide a great ecology lesson for the youngest.
Forests, thickets, meadows, and forest ponds provide excellent habitats for rich fauna but also hold many memories. The surrounding areas witnessed national uprisings, crimes committed against Warsaw residents during the war, and important moments for the local community. Being here, one must stop and reflect on the heroism of the fighters and the sacrifice they made together with civilians. Trails in Chojnów Landscape Park can be quite busy, and the paths are not as vast and far apart as, for example, in Kampinos, but the nature compensates for everything.
Instead of watching another episode of a series on the couch, put on your shoes and head out into nature. Wondering where to go to the forest near Warsaw? There are many options, and wherever you go, the forest trail offers a chance for new experiences. Contact with nature allows not only complete relaxation but also stimulates our senses and arouses curiosity.
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