Discover 5 unique nature reserves in the Pomorskie Voivodeship

The history of nature conservation is long, and the motives that have led people to respect the natural environment have varied over the centuries. Initially, cultural and religious reasons dominated, and over time people began to realize how important it is to live in symbiosis with nature.

Polish rulers knew about the need to protect the natural environment as early as the XIth century, when the rules for the use of natural resources began to be established through appropriate provisions.

The first nature reserve in Poland (and also the second in Europe) was the yew reserve in the Tuchola Forest, established in 1927, today called the Staropolskie Yew Reserve named after Leon Wyczolkowski, and the first in the Pomorskie Voivodeship is the Kepa Redlowska nature reserve in Gdynia (1938). Currently, we have 1,505 reserves in our country, of which 134 are located in the Pomorskie Voivodeship.

Depending on the purpose of protection, the entire area or its fragment may be subject to protection, but all reserves are subject to strict rules set out in the Nature Protection Act, and when planning a visit there, it is worth remembering the prohibitions applicable there:

  • traveling off roads marked as open to pedestrian traffic
  • motor vehicle traffic
  • camping, starting fires, disturbing the silence
  • polluting land, water and air
  • picking, destroying or damaging plants, harvesting fruit, seeds and mushrooms
  • hunting, fishing, catching, scaring and killing animals, destroying their lairs and nests, collecting eggs
  • bringing dogs

Below we present 5 reserves in Pomorskie worth visiting

Bird Paradise Reserve

Located on Sobieszewska Island, it is one of the most valuable natural areas in Pomorskie and a real treat for bird lovers. The reserve is a refuge for over 200 species of water and marsh birds, including many rare and protected ones. You can meet here, among others: little tern, ringed plover, little ringed plover, bittern, spotted tern, green warbler, whiskered plover, little spotted plover and many others. Additionally, for many birds it is an important place to rest and feed during migration.

There are well-marked educational trails within the reserve that allow you to explore and learn about the unique ecosystem. While walking through them, you can learn about the various species of plants and animals found in the reserve, as well as about nature protection and conservation. Additionally, there is an observation tower on site from which you can admire the panorama of nature and observe birds in their natural habitat. This place is especially popular among nature photography enthusiasts.

Find out more about Birdwatching in Pomorskie.

Sobieszewska Island, photo: Pomorskie Travel

Sobieszewska Island, Ptasi Raj, photo: Pomorskie Travel

Sobieszewska Island, Ptasi Raj, photo: Floczyk

Sobieszewska Island, Ptasi Raj, photo: Floczyk

Mewia Lacha Reserve

The Mewia Lacha Reserve is located on both sides of the mouth of the Vistula River, which has been led by an artificially dug canal called the “Vistula Crossing” since the end of the XIXth century. Part of the reserve is located on its western side, on Sobieszewska Island, and the larger, eastern part is in the Stegna commune, near Mikoszewo.

A real curiosity are smaller or larger groups of seals regularly seen there. The lakes and ponds in the reserve are inhabited by beavers. The strict protection does not exclude the possibility of visiting the reserve, as there is a specially designated path from which you can admire the natural beauty of nature and, with a bit of luck, even watch small seals playing.

Discover the hiking trails on the Vistula Spit.

Mewia Łacha Reserve, photo: Pomorskie.travel

Mewia Łacha Reserve, photo: Pomorskie.travel

The Stone Circles Nature Reserve in Odry

Called the Polish Stonehenge, it attracts mystery-hungry tourists every year. The origins of the “Stone Circles” Reserve date back to 1958, while the circles themselves date back to the period of Roman influence. These are the largest stone circles in Poland and the second largest in Europe!

Archaeological research has shown that it is a cemetery consisting of family tombs. Probably Goths from the Ist and IInd centuries AD. There are 12 circles of various sizes and 30 burial mounds within the reserve. The smallest circle has a diameter of 15 m, and the largest is 33 m. Each of them contains from 16 to 29 stones protruding from the ground to a height of 20 to 70 cm. One or two stones are placed in the center of the circle.

Find out more about the Stone Circles Reserve

Stone Circles in Węsiory, photo: Pomorskie Travel

Stone Circles in Węsiory, photo: Pomorskie Travel

Stone circles in Odry, photo: Pomorskie.Travel

Stone circles in Odry, photo: Pomorskie.Travel

Sand Dunes nature reserve in Hel

The floristic nature reserve, established in 2006, covers an area of 108.48 ha and is located on the Hel Peninsula.

Due to the rare species of vascular plants and lichen mushrooms found here, the area is covered by the Natura 2000 protection area. Additionally, a 500-meter educational path has been marked out through the reserve.

Discover the hiking trails in the Seaside Landscape Park.

Hel dunes, photo: Pomorskie.Travel

Hel dunes, photo: Pomorskie.Travel

Nature Reserve "Szczelina Lechicka"

Located in the Kashubian Landscape Park in the Mirachowo Forest complex, the reserve was created in 1990. In addition to the numerous species of protected plants found here, another attraction that attracts visitors to the reserve is an excellent viewpoint of the Potegowskie Lakes. The complex consists of 10 lakes, creating the so-called the trough of Potegowskie Lakes, which unusually runs in a latitudinal direction.

Find out more about the nature trails in the Kashubian Landscape Park.

The Lechicka Rift, photo: Pomorskie Travel

The Lechicka Rift, photo: Pomorskie Travel

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