The Wollin National Park (Polish: Woliński Park Narodowy) is a national park in Poland, on the island Wollin (Polish: Wolin) and some secondary islands in the Swine Delta of Szczecin Lagoon. The administrative headquarters of the National Park is located in Międzyzdroje at ul. Niepodległości 3a. The National Park's Natural History Museum is also located at this address.
background
The heraldic animal of the national park is the bald eagle, which occurs in the park both in the wild and in the enclosure.
history
Geographically, this area was shaped about 12,000 years ago by pre- and post-glacial processes, and then by wind and waves. Mieczysław Tarchalski was the initiator of the establishment of the national park in the 1950s. The national park was finally established in 1960 on an area of 4844 hectares. In 1996 the area was expanded considerably when areas formerly used by the military were added. Furthermore, parts of the Baltic Sea (beach and sea areas) are east of the city Międzyzdroje added
landscape
It is an area of 11,000 hectares east and south of the village Międzyzdroje as well as on some minor islands south of Swinoujscie. The national park becomes the extremely valuable, north-western part of the island Wollin protected. As part of the park area Pomeranian Bay and des Szczecin Lagoon belong, the Wolin National Park is the first marine nature park in Poland. The landscape of the national park is extremely varied.
hill
There are two chains of hills in the national park that are of glacial origin and originate from terminal moraines of the Scandinavian glaciers:
- The Wolin chain begins in the southwest in Wicko on the Vietziger See of the Stettiner Haff and runs to the northeast along the Baltic Sea coast to Wisełkawhere it separates the coast from the Wollin Lake District. The characteristic element is a cliff extending over 15 km and up to 95 m high, which closes the range of hills to the north. The cliff shifts by about 80 cm annually as a result of storms, wind and sun. The most important surveys in the chain include:
- Grzywacz (116 meters above sea level) - the highest mountain on the island
- Góra Świętej Anny (111 meters above sea level)
- Góra Marii (108 meters above sea level)
- Wysoczyzna (102 meters above sea level)
- Gosań (93 meters above sea level) - popular lookout point accessible via a hiking trail
- Leśnogóra (91 meters above sea level)
- Suchogórz (75 meters above sea level)
- Strażnica (74 meters above sea level)
- Kikut (73 meters above sea level) - popular lookout point with lighthouse accessible via a hiking trail
- Biała Góra (68 meters above sea level)
- Święta Kępa (63 meters above sea level)
- Kawcza (61 meters above sea level) - popular vantage point accessible via a hiking trail
- Piastowskie Wzgórze (43 meters above sea level)
- The Lubin-Wapnica chain also begins at Lake Vietziger in the Szczecin Lagoon, but to the south at Wapnica and Lubin and leads east along the lagoon. The characteristic element is the limestone subsoil of the range of hills. The turquoise lake is also located here. The most important surveys in the chain include:
- Lelowa Góra (89 meters above sea level)
- Zielonka (81 meters above sea level) - popular vantage point accessible via a hiking trail
- Borowa Góra
Gosań
Kawcza
Kikut lighthouse
Zielonka
Grodzisko
Waters
Its waters are also dominant for the appearance of the national park. In the northern part these are the water landscapes of the Baltic Sea and in the west that of the Swine Delta with 44 marshy islands and islets, which are separated from one another by channels with different directions of current and different water levels and which are temporarily flooded and reshaped. In the north-west, the national park is part of the Wolin Lake District. But there are also three man-made lakes in the park. The following lakes are (partially) in the national park:
- Warnowo Zachodnie
- Warnowo Wschodnie
- Jezioro Czajcze
- Jezioro Domysłowskie
- Zatorek
- Wisełka
- Jezioro Turkusowe
- Stara Kredownia
- Gardno
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Jezioro Turkusowe
Wisełka
Zatorek
Gardno
Czajcze
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Sander
On the southern edge of the park on the lagoon, sanders dominate the landscape.
flora
Wolin Island is home to over 1300 species of vascular plants. These include many protected and rare species. Of the forest communities, the beech forests in particular are well preserved, the structure of which is very similar to the former primeval forests that lived here. The best preserved beech communities are located in two strictly protected areas in the southern part of the park and in two areas in the northern part. An orchid beech forest can also be visited here. Various dune plants are also characteristic of the Wolin National Park. A number of halophilic plants grow on the salty sheets of the Swina.
Ferns
Pine trees on the cliff
Deciduous trees on the cliff
Book
Book
Oak Wolinanin
fauna
The animal world is very diverse and has a lot of rare species. On the one hand, this is due to the fact that the main migration route for many birds is via the island of Wolin. Therefore, the occurrence of more than 230 bird species has been proven (including: white-tailed eagle - heraldic animal of the national park, sedge warbler, dunlin, miniature flycatchers) On the other hand, the national park plays an essential role in protecting the habitats of marsh birds, which find peace and food here, especially during the migration periods in spring and autumn. The Swine Delta region has been declared a sanctuary of European importance for birds. Gray seals and porpoises live in the Pomeranian Bay.
Meadow enclosure
As a special attraction, the national park also has bison, which are kept in a specially designed enclosure. In addition to bison, there are also deer, roe deer, wild boar, sea eagles and owls in the enclosure. The enclosure is only within walking distance on black-marked forest paths Międzyzdroje to be reached in an approx. 20 minute walk.
Entrance
Bison
Deer
Wild boars
White-tailed eagle
owl
Reservations
There are seven strictly protected reserves in the national park:
- Stefan Jarosz Reserve
- Marian Raciborski Reserve
- Zygmunt-Czubiński Reserve
- Bogdan Dyakowski Reserve
- Władysław Szafer Reserve
- Adam Wodziczki Reserve
- Drożkowe Łąki reserve
climate
On Wolin, as on the entire Polish Baltic coast, there is a transitional climate between maritime and continental climates. The amount of precipitation is lower and the temperature fluctuations higher (warmer summers, colder winters) than on comparable coasts in Western Europe. On the other hand, the temperatures are milder and the amounts of precipitation higher and than in continental Poland with the exception of the southern mountain ranges of the Sudeten and Carpathianswhere the amount of precipitation - especially the amount of snow - is higher and the temperatures are lower even in summer.
getting there
The national park is across the island Usedom or over Szczecin and the Polish mainland accessible. The national park administration is based in Międzyzdroje.
By plane
- At Szczecin available in Goleniów an international airport (IATA code: SZZ).
- Arrival by plane is via the airfield Heringsdorf possible.
- Longer travel times, around 4 hours, are from the airports Poses and Berlin required.
By train
The direct journey by train from Germany can be via Swinoujscie or over Szczecin (from Germany and in domestic Polish traffic). The Polish rail network is operated by the state railway PKP. Train travel in Poland is still very cheap.
By bus
Numerous bus companies offer bus trips to Szczecin from Germany and Austria, e.g. Sindbad, Eurolines, Touring, Omnia. Inexpensive intercity buses run from Szczecin to Międzyzdroje. In addition to the state bus line PKS, there are numerous offers from private providers. From Świnoujście (on the east side of the Świnoujście) there are also buses to Międzyzdroje at short intervals.
In the street
The road network around the national park is well equipped. The journey from Germany is via Berlin, Szczecin or the island Usedom possible. The border crossings at Ahlbeck and Garz are not approved for trucks.
By boat
The Międzyzdroje pier is approached by excursion boats of the Adler shipping company, which come from Heringsdorf, Ahlbeck and Swinoujscie and return there.
Fees / permits
- Access to the national park is free.
- Some parking spaces and the bison enclosure are chargeable.
- You can enter the lookout point in Lubin for a small fee (2015: 3.50 złoty). Think of it as a donation to the national park - the view is definitely worth it! There is also a small restaurant with a free toilet.
mobility
The national park's hiking and cycling trails can be explored on foot or by bike. You can also go horse riding on the beach. Several roads lead through the national park, so that the most important sights can also be reached by car. There is also a railway line through the national park, but there are no train stations in the park itself. The localities around the park are supplied by the local public transport bus network; almost every neighboring town has at least one bus stop. You should find out more about the departures of the individual bus routes from the tourist information office or the bus drivers.
Tourist Attractions
- Gosań (German: Gosenberg): Viewpoint to the coast over the beach of Międzyzdroje
- Kawcza (German: Kaffeeberg): Lookout point to the coast towards the east, a very nice wooden staircase leads down the cliff to the beach. On the mountain there is a memorial stone from 1892, which commemorates the 21st gathering of German forest men. The memorial stone was originally erected on the Gosań in 1892 and fell into the Baltic Sea in the 1930s when the cliff coast was demolished. It was salvaged in 1991 by Polish fishermen and was given its new place here in 1992 on the occasion of a conference of the Polish Forest Society. There is also a memorial stone from 1992 on the mountain for the conference of the Polish Forest Society, as well as a stone with explanatory panels that was erected in 2006.
- Lighthouse in Kikut: beautiful views over the Pomeranian Bay
- Meadow enclosure: bison, deer, roe deer, wild boar, eagle - only 20 minutes on foot from Międzyzdroje on forest paths.
- Former artillery area (Naval Flak School III) Biała Góra (German: Weißenberg), 30 minutes' walk from Międzyzdroje (black marked hiking trail), information boards also with German texts.
- Missile positions of the V3 and bunkers from the Second World War Zalesie with a small world war museum
- Jezioro Turkusowe (German: Türkissee): Romantic lake at Wapnica in an old chalk pit, worthwhile circular route (high route) with very beautiful views of the lake and (partly) the lagoon, approx. 45 min.
- Viewpoints in Lubin (Polish: Grodzisko w Lubinie / Zielonka): Beautiful views over the Szczecin Lagoon
- Oak Wolanin: one of the oldest trees in the park
- Piast rocks: stone formations on the coast near Świętą Kępą
activities
hike
There are some signposted hiking trails that are easy to walk; other routes are marked with prohibition signs. Unfortunately, the viewing platform on the Gosenberg is difficult to reach for pedestrians. There are three major marked hiking trails on the island that run through the Wolin National Park:
- The one on Wolin about 55 km long and marked in red European long-distance footpath E9 is part of the sea hiking trail on Wollin, which runs on the Baltic Sea beach of Swinoujscie starts and over Międzyzdrojewhere it leads into the national park, Wisełka, Kikut lighthouse, Świętouść to Międzywodziewhere he leaves the national park.
- The Baltic Sea and Stettiner Lagoon hiking trail, which is about 50 km long on Wolin and is blue-marked, which also begins in Swinoujscie and initially also runs along the beach to Międzyzdroje, but there in Wollin National Park turns south and over the 75 high moraine Suchogórz in Zalesie onto Szczecin Lagoon meets. There it goes over the chalk quarries in Wollin, the turquoise lake in Wapnica and the Bronze Age settlement Lubin back to the national park on the lagoon side. The steep cliffs on the lagoon side of the national park offer wide views of the lagoon. In Karnocice the trail leaves the national park.
- The green-marked forest hiking trail through the Wolin Lake District also begins in Międzyzdroje, where it climbs into the national park towards the game reserve and from there onwards Warnowo and Kołczewo leads where he leaves the national park.
Numerous smaller hiking trails in and around the national park are marked in black. Most of them are feeders and detours from the main hiking trails. There are two nature trails in the park:
- At the lake Zatorek
- At the Łuniewo lake
bicycle
It is advisable to take a cycling map with you, as there are hardly any signposts for forest and cycle paths. The main road 102 from Międzyzdroje to the east (Kolberg) should definitely avoid cyclists, because it is narrow and busy. There are two significant marked long-distance cycle routes that run through the Wollin National Park on the island:
- The Baltic Sea Route (EV10) runs parallel to the European long-distance hiking trail E9 not far from the beach of Swinoujscie Międzywodzie.
- The Stettiner-Haff-Route R66 runs on Wolin parallel to the Baltic Sea and Stettiner-Haff hiking trail from Świnoujście to Wolin.
Water sports and sunbathing
You can use the Baltic Sea beach in the national park for swimming, sunbathing and water sports. The beaches here are regularly more lonely and romantic, but also more difficult to reach than in the neighboring seaside resorts.
Biała Góra
Święta Kępą
Gosań
Wisełka
Świętouść
Karnocice
to buy
Amber and silver jewelry, postcards, picture books or small works of art related to the theme of the national park are popular souvenirs. The one to the south is ideal for extensive shopping Szczecin.
kitchen
The culinary offer in the national park is limited. Restaurants and snack bars can be found in the neighboring villages. Due to the proximity to the open sea, but also to inland waters, marine and freshwater fish are the main components of the regional cuisine. It is characterized by fish dishes. Another characteristic element of the regional cuisine is the wooded hinterland with its forest fruits, mushrooms and game.
There are restaurants of all price and quality classes on Wollin. As a rule, the larger the place, the greater the selection of high-quality offers. The prices are generally significantly lower than in comparable holiday regions in Western Europe. The cheapest places to go out are the numerous fast food bars and the rather rare milk bars. But also upscale restaurants usually offer good value for money. The most expensive restaurants are located in the centers of health resorts and large cities.
In addition to the numerous supermarkets, self-caterers can also visit the local farmers' markets to stock up on fresh fruit, vegetables and fish. The freshest fish can usually be bought in the morning directly from the fishing boats on the beach. Often you can also buy smoked fish right on the beach, for example in Międzyzdroje.
accommodation
There are no overnight accommodations in the national park itself. All the more possibilities are there in the places around the national park - all possible types of accommodation - from simple tents and campsites to luxury hotels, whereby the price-performance ratio is usually good. The costs for a stay on Wollin are generally significantly lower than in comparable holiday regions in Western Europe. In general, the prices are in the health resorts, especially in Międzyzdroje, higher than in smaller coastal villages or in the coastal locations in the interior of the island.
In addition to hotels, holiday apartments and guest houses from numerous private providers are particularly popular. The range of holiday homes for rent is also large.
Anyone traveling by (sailing) boat will usually spend the night on the boat in one of the marinas on the Stettiner Haff.
Hotels and hostels
- Vestina Wellness and SPA, three stars, equipment partially modernized, not always tidy, sanitary facilities clean, down-to-earth and tasty food.
camping
- tramp Campsite on the northeastern edge of the national park.
security
In the national park you will not find any animals in the wild that could be dangerous to humans - with the possible exception of ticks. The precautionary measures against tick bites, which are also used elsewhere, should also be observed here.
The hiking trails lead through safe terrain. Anyone who leaves the hiking trails near the cliffs - which is prohibited - runs the risk of falling off the cliffs. So you shouldn't leave the fences, even if the view from beyond the fence could be even more beautiful.
Bathing is permitted in the national park, but the beaches are not guarded by lifeguards. The Baltic Sea coast and the Szczecin Lagoon usually fall flat under water and there are hardly any tides or unpredictable currents. Bathing is therefore generally safe for families with children and swimming accidents are rare. When swimming accidents do occur, excessive alcohol or drug consumption is usually involved. However, if you follow the general bathing rules and do not go into the water when the waves are high, you have little to fear.
trips
- Chain of lakes in the northeast between Warnowo and Wisełka: Lakes are only partially accessible, but have a romantic location. The lake at Wisełka (Jezioro Wisełka) is a bathing lake. It can be reached by car or by bike (from Miedzyzdroje on a forest path). There are several dining options in Wisełka 200 meters north of the main road.
literature
See article on Polish Baltic coast.
