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Puszcza Kampinoska Review

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Puszcza Kampinoska

Fodor's Review:

If you have an extra day in Warsaw, a trip to Kampinoski National Park, about an hour west of the city, makes a fun day trip, especially if you want to escape the capital bustle for a few hours in a more soothing natural environment. Officially established in 1959, this ancient kingdom of nature became a UNESCO-listed biosphere reserve in 2000. The area has a variety of landscapes and diverse habitats with dune belts separated by swampy areas and a mixture of forest types (bog-alder forest, ash-alder floodplain forest, pine-oak mixed forest, and low oak-lime-hornbeam forest). In addition to the many elk, which feature in the Park's logo, many other species live there, including lynx, rabbits, foxes, deer, European beaver, and wild boar. Some 121 different birds species have been observed here -- either as residents or more temporary visitors -- including black stork, herons, and cranes. The forest also has some 4,000 resident insect species and more than 1,100 plant species, including 60 protected varieties. In most years, between 500,000 and 1 million visitors hike the park's many trails.

There are many well-marked walking trails in the Kampinos National Park. The main trail of 55 km (34 mi) crosses the park from east to west (from Dziekanów Lesny to Brochów). The lower, green trail also begins in Dziekanów and travels 51 km (32 mi), ending at Zelazowa Wola, Chopin's birthplace. There are several short trails starting in Truskaw -- notably the yellow trail of insurgents and partisans -- and the blue folklore trail. If you are planning a true hiking trip rather than a short walk, it is worth the trouble to pick up the map of Kampinoski National Park in advance. You can easily spend an entire day in the area.

In the village of Granica, near Kampinos and Zelazowa Wola, you'll find the Muzeum Puszczy Kampinoskiej (Museum of Kampinos Forest, Granica. near Kampinos. 022/725-01-23). Admission to the museum, which is open Tuesday through Sunday from 9 to 4, is zl 3.30.

The most convenient starting points for day-hikers include Truskaw village (in the eastern corner of the park) or Kampinos (in its southwestern section). Both can be reached by PKS bus from Warsaw. If you are driving from Warsaw, you can use one of the unguarded parking lots at the outskirts of the park These can be found in Truskaw, Wólka Weglowa, Granica, or Dabrowa Stara.

Two of Warsaw's loveliest historic houses are in this area: the birthplace of Chopin in Zelazowa Wola and the Radziwill country estate in Nieborów. The best way to view these two sights quickly is to take one of the many available organized bus tours. However, both places can also be reached by public bus from Warsaw's main bus station.

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