English version

Contrary to appearances, it is not mountain streams and avalanches that change the landscape of the Polish lands the most but the work of sea waves and wind which seem to be unnoticed but persistent. They can destroy, but they can also build. The most visible effect of these forces of nature can be seen on the Łebska Spit, built of sand brought by the sea. The dunes are made up of sand grains which are constantly blown away by the wind, causing the movement of non-afforested barchans and barchan-arch dunes at a speed of 3 to 10 m/year. Moving dunes, which reach heights of up to 40 meters, even cover up forests when they move. Years later, after their passage, the wind reveals the stumps of dead tree trunks from under the sand. Pioneering species of grasses are the first to try to settle on the sand. When the substrate is firmly established, lichens, other herbaceous plants, shrubs and tree seedlings appear, and finally a seaside pine forest grows. In the Słowiński National Park we can see all stages of this process. An important element of nature of the Park are lakes, including the third largest lake in Poland – Łebsko, and the eighth lake – Gardno. Due to the presence of important marine mammals, the Baltic Sea is an equally valuable environment.

The logo of the Park shows the European herring gull – a species of waterfowl which has been nesting in Poland since the 1960s. The first European herring gull colony has just appeared in the Słowiński National Park on Lake Łebsko at the longitude of Żarnowski Peninsula.

In Poland, this species of gull settles on various types of islands, lakes, breeding ponds and dam reservoirs as well as on sandbanks in the river current. Currently, it nests in colonies on the roofs of buildings and other port facilities, in many cities on the coast. 

Interestingly, the plumage colour of the gull depends on its age; young birds are brown, and in the next four years of life they gradually acquire brighter and brighter colours with a characteristic ashen top of the body. In Poland, the European herring gull is partially protected.

Museum of the Park

Czołpino 34, 76-214 Smołdzino                                   +48 585 008 507               Yes

open all year*                                                               paid admission*

 

Branch of the Park Museum

ul. Parkowa 1, 76-212 Rowy                                       +48 59 811 72 04              Yes

paid admission*                                                            open all year*

 

Branch of the Park Museum (registered educational groups)

Rąbka 3, 84-360 Łeba                                                 +48 59 811 72 04              Yes

open all year*                                                               paid admission*

 

Lighthouse in Człopino

Czołpino                                                                       +48 59 811 72 04              No

open all year*                                                               paid admission*

 

*Up-to-date information on opening hours and fees is available on the Park’s website.

Parts of the red and blue trails in Czołpino form a loop of about 8 km. It is one of more interesting routes of the Słowiński National Park. It is best to start the hike along the blue trail in Czołpino towards the lighthouse. It is worth making stop at the Museum of the Słowiński National Park located in the historic “Osada Latarników” (Lighthouse keepers’ settlement) from 1871. On the route, there are educational boards describing the plant communities of the coastal pine forest. Another attraction of the trail is the highest forested dune in the Park with a lighthouse at the top. Built of red brick, it is the most distant (from settlements) building of this type in Poland. The gallery of the lighthouse offers a panoramic view of the Czołpińska Dune, the Baltic Sea, Lakes Łebsko, Gardno and Dołgie Wielkie and the Rowokół hill. From the top of the Leśna Dune, go to the beach and then towards the moving dune complex. The next stage of the route is a winding path through the dwarf mountain pine, reaching the Czołpińska Dune complex. The trail runs through its most interesting parts, presenting various aeolian forms. This is one of more difficult sections of the route as it passes through a sandy, shadowless area with numerous steep ascents. After descending the dune, it is worth resting in the shade of trees, using the existing infrastructure. The last stage of the hike leads to the forest car park where the Czołpińska Loop begins.

 

Tourist trails:

Walking– 19 trails – 130.5 km

Biking – 19 trails – 130.5 km

Water – 2 trails – 9.5 km

 

Educational paths:

7 trails – 43.5 km