Pine forest, inland dunes and peat bogs just beyond Warsaw's edge. A quiet day on foot or by bike, with a chance of spotting an elk, and a stop at Palmiry to remember the war.
Trip plan
Plan for the day
- 08:30 — leave Warsaw toward Łomianki or Izabelin.
- 09:30 — start on a forest trail, ideally one that crosses dunes and wetlands.
- 11:30 — break at a clearing or shelter, coffee from a flask.
- 13:00 — lunch in one of the villages on the forest's edge.
- 14:30 — the Kampinos National Park Museum in Granica or the cemetery at Palmiry.
- 16:30 — a short walk by the dunes while the sun is lower.
- 18:00 — head back to Warsaw.
Trails are marked by colour, and you can buy a map at park centres. Pick a route that suits your fitness, as sand is more tiring than it looks.
What to see
- Inland dunes covered in pine, with views over the forest.
- Peat bogs and wetlands in the hollows between the dunes, crossed on wooden boardwalks.
- Wildlife: elk, roe deer, beavers and many birds. Dawn is the best time.
- The cemetery at Palmiry, a memorial to victims of the Second World War.
- The park museum in Granica with a nature exhibition.
Where to eat
In the villages around the forest you will find roadside inns serving Polish food: sour rye soup, pierogi, a cutlet with cabbage. It is best to bring your own picnic and eat it in a forest clearing, then plan a proper meal for after the trail.
Photos: Light Charmer, CC BY-SA 3.0; Kocio, CC BY 3.0; MOs810, CC BY-SA 4.0; FrDr, CC BY-SA 4.0