One of the largest pine forest complexes in Poland. A place where flora and fauna characteristic of this part of the world develops in peace and quiet. The richness of rivers, lakes and peat bogs, where life flows with its own rhythm. Tuchola Forest is one of the most beautiful and virgin, undefiled by human activities regions in Poland and Europe.
What it is the Tuchola Forest?
The Tuchola Forest is a world of plants and animals, which in many cases can only be found here. Yews, oaks, hornbeams and birches grow carefree here. The forest undergrowth impresses with the richness of mushrooms, and the forest fruit fascinates with its taste. We will also find remains of the primeval forest or come across such unique species of birds as the white-tailed eagle, the capercaillie or the grey heron.
Tuchola Forest on the map is an area in the basin of the Brda and Wda Rivers, the Tuchola Plains and the Charzykowska Plain. They cover an area of over 300,000 hectares. The Tuchola Forest National Park has been separated here, and it is part of the Tuchola Forest Biosphere Reserve.
Nearby (but already in the Kuyawian-Pomorskie Voivodeship) there is also the Old Polish Yew Reserve with the largest concentration of these trees in all of Europe. There are as many as 25 reserves in Tuchola Forest!
Long-leaved sundew in PNBT, promotional photos of PNBT
Tuchola Forest – attractions for active people
The Tuchola Forest is an attraction for children and adults, it is a perfect place for everyone who prefers relaxing in nature. The numerous hiking and cycling routes of the Tuchola Landscape Park (over 76 km) are located in forest, on its outskirts, on rivers and lakes. Surrounded by birds singing, the noise of trees, breathing fresh forest air, it is easy to cut off from the hustle and bustle of big cities.
The Tuchola Forest can be visited actively during walking or cycling trips, or more in a touristic style – traveling with gypsy carts pulled by horses. Another reason why you should visit Tuchola Forest are water attractions offered in this area. In Wierzchow you can take rafting.
National Park Bory Tucholskie, fot. Pomorskie Travel/M.Ochocki
Canoeing enthusiasts will appreciate the charms of the winding Brda River. Canoe routes marked out here are the most beautiful in Poland, and according to many in all Europe. The surrounding forests, lakes and meadows provide a fantastic backdrop when fishing or practicing water tourism is concerned. The Brda River connects the Szczytno Wielkie Lake and Konskie lakes, Krepsko and Szczytno Male Lake, which form the Szczycienskie lakes complex.
In the area (Przechlewo commune) there is also Krasne Lake. Surrounded by coniferous forests, with no outflow or inflow, it is the object of research for nature lovers and a place where you can spend soothing moments in nature surrounded by peace and quiet.
As if the flora would not be enough for botany lovers there is Wirty Arboretum at Borzechowskie Lake. It is a beautiful garden and park, where we will find hundreds of coniferous and deciduous species found both locally and in other parts of Europe, Asia or America. In Wirty we will find the only specimen of walnut in Poland, as well as trees that are almost 200 years old!
And something else for those who like travelling in time: when planning a trip around the Tuchola Forests, it is also worth considering the Lesno stone circles, i.e. the Goths cemetery dating back to the Bronze Age.
Zaborski PK Brda, fot. Styl Beata Chojęta
What is worth visiting in cities?
Although Tuchola Forest is primarily a national park and forests, there are noteworthy buildings created by former inhabitants of the region. When visiting Chojnice, it is necessary to walk around the Old Town, where You can see the Czluchowska Gate.
Chojnice, fot. Pomorskie Travel/M. Ochocki
Together with the towers and arcaded passage, it is a remnant of medieval city fortifications. In Chojnice there is also over a century old neo-Gothic town hall and nearly 700-year-old church of St.John the Baptist representing a unique Gothic style along Vistula River.
In nearby Czluchow, have a look behind the walls of the Teutonic castle. As we read in historical books, the house commander of the Czluchow castle was Konrad Wallenrod himself. In small Koronowo, it is worth paying attention to the Cistercian Monastery, which was constructed in 1289.
Człuchów, fot. Pomorskie Travel
On the border of the Pomorskie and Kuyawian-Pomorskie Voivodships there is a small town of Fojutowo, with an unusual building – an aqueduct, its construction refers to the historical Roman aqueducts. The aqueduct was to connect Czerska Struga with the Brda canal, and it was built in 1848.
The agritourist in Tuchola Forest is extremely rich and extensive. Accommodation can be found in private homes, apartments dedicated to tourists or in richly furnished hotel complexes with SPA.
Bory Tucholskie, fot. M. Ochocki
