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Wigry National Park |
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A day in national park DAY ONE The day begins by visiting the natural history room in the headquarters of the WNP, where animals occurring in the park (insects, fishes, birds and mammals) are displayed along with a diorama showing beavers in their natural habitat and a cross-section of a beaver lodge. In other show-cases there are archaeological artefacts recording the presence of Man upon Lake Wigry, and the history of the Yatvingian people and reindeer hunters. Also on display are stone sculptures – an outcome of annual outdoor workshops. The building (dating back to the 1920s) also houses a permanent ethnographic exhibition entitled „Save from Oblivion”. It displays home furnishings and utensils, vernacular products, double-warp fabrics and tools for processing flax, and other equipment for dairy processing – all dating back to the 19th and early 20th century, as well as some old farming machines. The next stage is a walk (50 minutes) along the "Forest" trail, that follows a wooden footbridge across wetland areas with oak-hornbeam woods, carrs, coniferous forests and an archaeological site once inhabited by "reindeer hunters". This is followed by the "Sukhars trail (2.5 hrs) which runs among forest lakes through bog forests with characteristic wildlife. When you walk in silence, you can observe beavers busy with their daily routines. During the day, the visitors may also take part in an activity called "The old methods of milk processing", that is promoted within a wider programme "Getting to know nature and cultural heritage". During the "workshops", the tourist will milk a cow, skim cream, produce cottage cheese and other types of cheese and churn butter – using old traditional tools and utensils. The reward for the tourist is the chance to taste their own produce. A week in the national park DAY TWO: In approximately 3 hrs we can walk along the "Lakes" trail near Gawrych Ruda. At its various stops with
posters, we learn about the history of the area, the peatlands, lichens, the history of the Słupie village and about the geomorphology of Lakes Wigry, Długie, and Suchar Wielki. We continue along another trail (2.5
hrs) called "Exploitation of the riches of primeval forests" in Gawrych Ruda and along the narrow-gauge
railway, at the Płociczno- Krusznik section. Again, the posters tell us about various uses Man made of the primeval
forest: wild-bee-keeping, smelting iron, producing quick-lime, and obtaining and storing
lumber. Traditional dishes are served in inns along the trail. This day may be spend on hiking or
biking. Also available are traditional horse-drawn carts, or you may go on horseback across the woods of the Augustowska Primeval
Forest. About the Park Location: north-eastern
Poland, some 40 km from the Polish-Lithuanian border
Wigry National
Park |
On an educational trail with a guide. Photo by Elżbieta Szkiruć
DAY THREE: A kayak trip on Lake Wigry and along the Czarna Hańcza River. Lake Wigry is a major attraction, a kind of WNP's heartland: in 1998 it was the first ever lake to be included in the International Limnological Society's SIL programme, and in 2003 it was registered as a water body included in the Ramsar convention activities. Lake Wigry and 7 other lakes is open for tourist and vacationers. Kayaking, sailing, angling and fishing, and – in winter – skating and ice-boating are allowed. The lake abounds in fish species: powan, European whitefish, pike, perch, tench, lake trout, and sheatfish. The Czarna Hańcza river offers one of the most beautiful kayak trips in Poland and reaches the Augustowski Canal. The trip can begin at Stary Folwark or Gawrych Ruda where kayaks can be hired. DAY FOUR: Visit to the monastery site at Wigry (where the Pope resided), then later a boat trip on Lake Wigry. After the trip, we walk to Rosochaty Róg along the "Amphibians" educational trail, across habitats of various amphibian species. You may encounter: fire-bellied toad, common spadefoot toad, moor frog, pool frog and common grass frog, as well as common newt.
Biking trip. Photo by Maciej Kamiński
DAY FIVE: Walking along the "Primeval Forest" educational trail (3.3. km) near Wysoki Mostu, at the edge of Augustowska Primeval Forest. All those who love natural forests are invited, although help from a licensed guide is necessary. The Park's forests, often in a natural condition, in good health and with an abundant herb layer provide nesting grounds for birds: white-tailed eagle, buzzard, goshawk, black and red kites, and kingfisher. Near the trails, on wetlands, one can spot black storks and cranes foraging. DAY SIX: On bike, along the northern route: Krzywe, Gałęziste ,Nowa Wieś (observation tower) Lipniak (observation tower),Wiatrołuża, Piotrowa Dąbrowa ,Królówek, Piertanie, Tartak - Leszczewo, and Krzywe. Here we can take up an offer of a "regional feast", with a traditional local menu including: kartacze (large potato noodles), kiszka (blood sausage), babka ziemniaczana (potato cake), kociołek różności (variety pot), homestead-style cured and smoked meats, soczewiaki (lentil-filled pierogi) with barszcz (beetroot soup) and sękacz (a tree-cake) for dessert. The venue for these feasts is the „Dziupla” educational establishment. You have to book earlier for such a feast (10 – 150 persons). DAY SEVEN: Around Lake Wigry on a bike (from 30 to 50 km, as selected). In bad weather, you can see film documentaries (in foreign-language
versions) on nature and cultural heritage.
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Text: Elżbieta Szkiruć |
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