The moving dunes in Łeba can be described as a kind of sandy desert by the Baltic Sea, often referred to as the "Polish Sahara." These unique dunes attract throngs of tourists each year. Interestingly, the moving dunes in Łeba form the largest belt of moving dunes in Europe. What makes them so captivating to tourists? Let's find out.
Łeba - moving dunes in the Słowiński National Park
The moving dunes, located in the Słowiński National Park (specifically between the Baltic Sea and Lake Łebsko), are less than 10 km from Łeba. Tourists who choose Łeba as their holiday destination can see for themselves the largest range of moving dunes in Europe.
Why do the dunes move? Moving dunes are a fascinating phenomenon caused by the wind. The west-to-east wind carries tiny grains of sand, causing the dunes to constantly change their location. It is estimated that the moving dunes in the Słowiński National Park shift several to a dozen or so meters eastward each year.
Dunes - Łeba invites tourists. What does the "Polish Sahara" look like?
What do the moving dunes look like? Łeba and its surroundings are often referred to as the "Polish Sahara." The moving dunes have a significant impact on the terrain, causing landscape changes, including the shrinking of Lake Łebsko and the gradual dying of trees due to systematic sand coverage. The moving dunes are a unique phenomenon, so it’s no wonder that they are eagerly visited by tourists each year. Visitors agree that the moving dunes in the Słowiński National Park make a spectacular impression. It's best to take a walk in the morning hours when there is not much traffic, and you can admire the dunes in all their glory.
Dunes in Poland. The famous Łącka Dune
The dunes in Poland are among the top in Europe in terms of their length. One of the largest and most famous among tourists is the Łącka Dune.
The moving Łącka Dune is named after the nearby village of Łączka, which once stood on its site but was buried by sand several hundred years ago. The Łącka Dune is one of the highest dunes in Poland, with an estimated height of about 42 meters. From the top, you can enjoy a beautiful view of the surrounding area, including Lake Łebsko and the Baltic Sea. On the way to the dune, you can stop by the rocket launch site, a former German testing ground. The preserved bunker now houses a museum.
Dunes and Łeba: Słowiński National Park opening hours. How to get to the dunes?
When can you admire the dunes in Łeba? The opening hours of the Słowiński National Park are not precisely defined; according to the park's website, it is open "from dawn to dusk." To reach the moving dunes, you should head from Łeba towards Rąbka. There is a large (paid) parking lot at the entrance to the Słowiński National Park. You can reach the moving dunes in three ways:
- On foot - the trail is about 7 km long and takes about 2-2.5 hours to reach the dunes.
- By bike - the ride takes about 30 minutes (there is a bike rental at the park entrance, and you can also bring your own).
- By electric cart - the quickest way to get to the moving dune, often used by families with children (the ride takes about 15 minutes).
Dunes and Łeba - ticket prices for the park
How much does it cost to see the dunes in Łeba? The ticket prices are available on the Słowiński National Park's website. It's worth mentioning that there is no fee for viewing the dunes, only for entering the park. The park's ticket prices are as follows:
- 8 zł - single entry for adults;
- 4 zł - single entry for students, seniors, pensioners, and disabled persons.
These prices are for one-day tickets. There is also the option to buy multiple-entry tickets valid for three, seven, 14, or 30 days. For example, a three-day ticket allowing multiple entries to the park costs 19.50 zł for an adult. The same ticket for a student or other eligible person costs 10 zł. Entrance fees to the park are collected from May 1st to September 30th.
