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Słowiński National Park, Poland
Pawel Jaworski
Displayed: times.
ul. Bohaterów Warszawy 1
76-214 Smołdzino
tel/fax: (0 prefiks 59) 811 72 04, 811 73 39
tel/fax: (0 prefiks 59) 811 73 68, 811 75 09
spn_park@sl.onet.pl
Słowiński National Park is located in the centre of PolandÂ’s sea coast between Łeba and Rowy in Pomerania region. Its northern border, 32,5 km long, is marked by the Baltic. In 1977, UNESCO named the Park one of its World Biosphere reserves and included it in its Man and Biosphere project.
Formerly the ParkÂ’s area was a sea bay. Its relief was formed by Scandinavian glacier and, later, by waters of the Baltic sea. The glacier left there a sequence of moraine hills which surround the Park at the South and the West. The highest moraine hill, Rowokół (115 m) is an excellent view point offering panorama of the whole Park. The Baltic, together with other geomorphologic processes created sandbars which presently separate lakes from the see. The whole Gardno – Łeba Sandbar is built of sand thrown ashore by the waves. The sand, dried by the sun and the wind, was blown further inland, thus forming migrating dunes. The largest dune area is the Łeba Sandbar with the area of approx. 500 ha and dunes reaching 30 m. and moving up to 3-10 m per year.
Migrating dunes , together with 4 shallow seaside lakes are unique in Europe. The largest lakes are Łebsko (area 7140 ha, max. depth 6,3 m), Gardno (area 2468 ha, max. depth 2,6 m) and Dołgie Wielkie (area 146 ha, max. depth 2,9 m). The former two lakes were formed by sandbars which separated bays from the sea. Lakes Dołgie Wielkie and Dołgie Małe used to form eastern bay of Lake Gardno. Migrating dunes cut the bay in two, forming two smaller lakes. The Park has 7 rivers, of which the Łeba and the Łupawa are the largest.
The Park has approximately 850 species of vascular plants of which 50 are under protection. Algae are common on the beaches. The first pioneering plants: sea rocket and sea sandwort begin to grow on winter beaches which are not covered with waves during powerful autumn storms. White dunes are home to sea holly, the most beautiful plant of the sea coast. Further inland, grey dunes are covered with psammophilous sward dominated by grey hairgrass and sand sedge.
Birds are dominating among vertebrate present in the Park. Out of 257 species recorded there, 150 are nesting. This abundance is the result of varied habitats and the ParkÂ’s location on spring and autumn migration routes of many species of birds. Difficult access to some areas provide for birds good conditions for nesting throughout the year and safe rest place during migrations. Among rare species are sea eagle, lesser spotted eagle, golden eagle, eagle owl, raven, swans and a variety of duck species. Red and roe deer, wild boar, racoon dog and hare are common among mammals.
The name of the Park is derived from Słowińcy, a native group of Kaszuby who used to dwell on marshy areas hard to access and difficult to farm. A heritage park in Kluki village presents rich folk culture of this ethnic group.
The Park has a network of 140 km marked walking routes, leading through the most characteristic landscapes. Lakes have observation towers and quays, and routes have benches, shelters, resting places etc. Parking lots are waiting for car tourists. The Park allows only hiking, and lakes are excluded from tourist activities, with the exception of cruising route between Łeba and Kluki on Lake Łebsko, where tourists can travel on the lake on an electric powered boat.
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