Słowiński
Słowiński National Park – updated 11 January 2023.
The Park is a very popular attraction for nature lovers and hikers and is located in the Pomeranian Voivodeship between Łeba and Rowy on the Baltic coast. The park is 186 sq km in size and extends for 33 km. In 1977 the park was placed on Unesco’s list of World Biosphere Reserves. The park is known for its unique and dynamic coastal landscapes, including sand dunes, beaches, and sea cliffs, as well as for its diverse plant and animal life.
Lakes & rivers
Słowiński National Park consists mainly of lakes and rivers surrounded by peat bog, meadows and woods. The two largest lakes being Łebsko and Gardno. Historically, the lakes in Słowiński were bays; however over time, they were slowly cut off from the Baltic sea by the sandbar and today, they are shallow lagoons.
Moving Sand Dunes
One of the main attractions of the park is the moving dunes, which are one of the most unique and unique landscapes in Europe, the dunes are constantly shifting due to the action of winds, creating a constantly changing landscape. Waves and wind carry the sand inland at a speed of 3 to 10 metres each year. Some dunes can reach heights of up to 30 metres.
Recreation
The park offers visitors a wide range of recreational opportunities, such as hiking, cycling, horseback riding, and water sports, as well as fishing, bird watching, and nature photography. There are many educational trails and paths, and also a few shelters and cabins available for overnight stays.
Walking trails
In total, the park provides hikers with 140 kilometres of tourist walking trails; which are well-maintained and include benches and places to rest. There are also a number of observation towers beside the lakes. Around the park there are plenty of parking areas as well as hotels and camp sites, particularly in Łeba.
Migrating birds
Słowiński National Park is located on the path of migrating birds and at times can be home to over 250 species including swans, ducks, crows and eagle owls. Large parts of the lakeshores have been made into strict no-access reserves, free from human interference and birds feel safe there. Mammals that you may spot include hares, deer and wild boar.
The park is named after the Slav tribe, the Slovincians and the best time to visit is in late spring and summer.
The original idea of creating a preserve here came out in 1946, at a conference in Łeba with scientists from Poznań and Gdańsk.
Słowiński National Park is open year-round, but some facilities may be closed during the winter months. It’s a popular destination for nature lovers, hikers, and beach-goers, as well as for anyone interested in the unique coastal landscapes and ecosystems.
Slowinski National Park private guided tour
Slowinski National Park was formed to preserve the beauty of the Polish seaside eco-system; the unchanged sea lakes, swamps, forests, and especially the unique moving dunes. See the only ‘desert’ in Poland – the landscape so similar to Sahara that it was used by the German army during WWII as an experimental polygon for the Africa Corps.
The park’s entrance gate is located 8km from the shifting dunes. After arrival, you will be transported by an electric car to the Dunes. Admire the landscape and find out about all the flora and fauna preserved by the Park. Climb the Lacka Dune which is 42 m high and enjoy the view of the infinite sandy landscape.
In the end, take a cruise boat on the Leba lake to return to the minibus. If you want to visit also the town of Leba on the coast of the Baltic Sea, ask your guide for a quick tour – Book tickets
