Słowiński National Park: Map
Where is Słowiński National Park located and what does it include? A map of the park is available for download on its website. The map shows the park's boundaries, tourist trails, educational paths, and places worth visiting. The westernmost body of water within the park is Lake Gardno, while the park's eastern boundary runs along the shore of Lake Łebsko. The park also includes Lakes Dołgie Małe and Dołgie Wielkie. Słowiński National Park is located in the Pomeranian Voivodeship, within the Słupsk and Lębork districts. It was established in 1967 and covers an area of 32,744 hectares. In 1977, it was included in the UNESCO World Network of Biosphere Reserves, and it contains 13 strict nature reserves. In the park, you can only move along designated trails, which total 140 km.
Słowiński National Park: Animals
Who inhabits Słowiński National Park? The animals in the park are largely protected species. The most numerous group of animals in the park are insects, with the number of known species estimated at 490. Of these, 30 are under strict protection, and four species are partially protected. The park is home to 10 species of amphibians (toads, frogs, and newts) and five species of reptiles: the sand lizard, viviparous lizard, grass snake, slow worm, and European viper.
Among mammals, you can find bats, the harbor porpoise, gray seals, the European beaver, the European otter, the European badger, the red fox, the European hare, the European roe deer, and the European deer. However, the most important animals in the park are birds, with the park serving as a breeding ground for many species (170 out of the 260 observed). Species such as the ruff, herring gull, redshank, greylag goose, and crane can be found here, while in the forests, you might encounter the golden eagle, owls, or the osprey.
Słowiński National Park: Attractions
What should you see when visiting Słowiński National Park? The main tourist attractions are related to inanimate nature.
The moving dunes (with the highest being Łącka and Czołpińska) and Rowokół Hill, which is 115 meters above sea level (the highest elevation of the Słowińskie Coast), with its observation tower, are noteworthy. It is also worth visiting the Słowiński National Park Nature Museum in Smołdzino and its branches in Rowy and Rąbka. Visitors can also explore the Museum of the Słowińska Village in Kluki. Another highlight is the Czołpino lighthouse, which stands 25 meters tall. In Słowiński National Park, there are seven nature trails designed to introduce visitors to natural phenomena.
Moving Dunes in Słowiński National Park
The moving dunes in Słowiński National Park are undoubtedly its biggest attraction. A moving dune is a type of sand dune characterized by smaller grains of coastal sand being blown off the peak and cascading down, unchecked by vegetation. This leads to the gradual movement of the dune peaks in the direction of the prevailing winds.
Since westerly and northwesterly winds predominantly blow in Słowiński National Park, the moving dunes shift eastward and southeastward, with some encroaching into Lake Łebsko. In this area, the dunes move at a rate of 2 to 10 meters per year. It is the largest area of shifting sand in Europe, covering about 500 hectares. In the spring of 2016, the moving dunes revealed a forest that had been buried thousands of years ago.
Słowiński National Park: Interesting Facts
What else should you know about Słowiński National Park? Here are some interesting facts:
- The symbol of Słowiński National Park is the herring gull.
- The name "Słowiński" comes from the Słowińcy, a community that once inhabited the area now covered by the park.
- The idea to create the park was first proposed in 1946, but it wasn't realized until January 1, 1967.
- Słowiński National Park initially covered an area of 18,000 hectares. It reached its current size in 2004.
- Many plants in Słowiński National Park are under strict protection.
- Rowokół Hill was a sacred site for both pagans and Christians for centuries.
- Lake Łebsko, with an area of over 70 km², is the largest coastal lake and the third-largest body of water in Poland. It accounts for almost 22% of Słowiński National Park's area.
- The Słowiński National Park Museum in Czołpino is housed in a historic lighthouse keepers' settlement from 1871.
- The Czołpino lighthouse was built between 1872 and 1875 on a forested dune 55 meters above sea level.
- In Rąbka, there is a Rocket Launch Museum where you can see remnants of a German rocket testing range from World War II.
Słowiński National Park: Tickets
How much does it cost to visit Słowiński National Park? Tickets can be purchased directly through the park's website, and their price depends on the duration of their validity. An adult must pay 8 PLN for a single entry (valid for one day), while a reduced ticket costs 4 PLN. A multi-entry ticket valid for three days costs 19.50 PLN (reduced ticket - 10 PLN). A multi-entry ticket valid for seven days costs 36.50 PLN (reduced ticket - 18 PLN), while tickets valid for 14 and 30 days cost 56 PLN (28 PLN) and 107 PLN (53.50 PLN), respectively. Children under 7 and members of large families with a Large Family Card are exempt from fees. Admission to the Słowiński National Park Museum in Czołpino costs 16 PLN for adults, 12 PLN for students, schoolchildren, retirees, pensioners, and disabled persons, 8 PLN for members of groups of more than 10 people, and 1 PLN for holders of a Large Family Card. The entrance fee to the museum branches in Rowy, Rąbka, the Rowokół observation tower, and the Czołpino lighthouse is: regular - 8 PLN, reduced - 4 PLN, for holders of a Large Family Card - 1 PLN. You can also purchase a ticket that includes entry fees to the park, the museum, the lighthouse, and the observation tower - details are described on the Słowiński National Park website.
