Magur National Park, established in 1995, is a true natural pearl of the Low Beskids. Covering an area of more than 19,000 hectares, it protects the most valuable parts of Beskid nature. The park is located in the heart of the range, in the Podkarpackie and Małopolskie provinces, and is headquartered in the picturesque village of Krempna.

The park is distinguished by its extraordinary biodiversity. About 70% of its area is covered by forests, among which natural stands of fir and beech dominate. It is these old primeval backwoods that are home to many rare animal species. Deer, roe deer, wild boar and rare predators like wolves, lynx and bears can be found in the park. For lovers of ornithology, the real treasure is the opportunity to observe as many as 140 species of birds, including such majestic ones as the golden eagle and the lesser spotted eagle.

Magurski National Park is also a realm of fascinating geology. The entire area of Beskid Niski belongs to the so-called Carpathian Flysch Belt, which means that it is built of alternating layers of sandstone and shale. This specific geological structure has influenced the formation of a characteristic landscape with gentle hills and deep river valleys. The highest hill in the park is Magura Wątkowska (847 meters above sea level), from which the park took its name.

The fascinating history of the area is worth mentioning. Before World War II, Beskid Niski was densely populated by Lemkos - an ethnic group with its own culture and language. Tragic events related to the 'Wisła' action in 1947 led to the displacement of almost the entire Lemko community. Today, remnants of villages, old cemeteries and beautiful wooden Orthodox churches bear witness to their presence. This dramatic history adds an extra nostalgic dimension to the park - wandering through the abandoned valleys where life once bustled, one can feel the spirit of the past.

For tourists, Magurski National Park offers an extensive network of hiking trails with a total length of more than 85 km. These trails lead through the most beautiful corners of the park, allowing close encounters with wildlife. Especially recommended is the didactic path 'Kiczera', which presents the most important natural and cultural values of the region in an accessible way. It begins in Krempna and leads through picturesque areas, offering panoramic views of the surrounding hills.

According to local legends, in the forests of Magura National Park one can meet mysterious creatures called 'chads' - guardian spirits of the forests who helped lost wanderers, but were also capable of playing tricks on those who disrespected nature. Lemkos also believed that some of the springs in the area of today's park had healing properties, and that the water from them helped with various ailments.

The Magurski Waterfall is one of the most picturesque and at the same time least known waterfalls in the Polish mountains. Located near the village of Folusz, within the Magurski National Park, it is a real gem for wildlife enthusiasts. This small but charming waterfall is formed on the Kłopotnica stream, which cuts through layers of hard Magura sandstone, creating a series of cascades with a total height of about 4 meters.

The road to the waterfall leads through a picturesque forest, which adds a mysterious character to the whole trip. The best way to get there is via the blue tourist trail from Folusz, which leads through the 'Kornuty' reserve. This route, about 3 kilometers one way, is relatively easy and accessible even to less experienced tourists. Along the way you can admire the lush vegetation characteristic of the Low Beskid and numerous rock formations.

Magurski Waterfall looks most beautiful in spring, when melting snows feed the Kłopotnica stream, and after heavy rainfall. In summer, during the dry season, the waterfall may be less impressive, but the area still impresses with its tranquility and pristine nature. It's worth bringing your camera to capture this magical place.

The waterfall is associated with a local legend about a Lemko girl named Magura, who fell in love with a young shepherd from a neighboring village. However, their love did not find acceptance among their families, so the couple decided to flee. During their escape, they were surprised by a storm, and the girl slipped and fell off a cliff. Her tears were to give rise to the waterfall that still bears her name. Locals believe that those with a pure heart can sometimes hear her singing mixed with the sound of the falling water.

The Kiczera Nature Trail, on the other hand, is an excellent option for those who want to learn about the most important natural and cultural values of the Magura National Park in a relatively short period of time. It begins in Krempna, where the park's Education Center is also located, and leads over Kiczera Hill (395 meters above sea level), offering beautiful views of the surrounding mountain ranges.

The approximately 4-kilometer-long trail is marked and equipped with information boards that provide an accessible introduction to local flora, fauna and geology. The path leads through a variety of ecosystems - from meadows and pastures, through thickets to mixed forests, allowing observation of the region's natural wealth. Particularly interesting are the vantage points, which offer panoramic views of the Wisłoka River valley and the Wątkowska Magura range.

The path also features elements of Lemkos' cultural heritage - you can see the remains of old farms and old roadside shrines. At the highest point of the route, at the top of Kiczera, there is a rest area where it is worth stopping for a longer time to feast your eyes on the vast views and listen to the silence of the Beskid forests.

Hiking the Kiczera nature trail takes about 2-3 hours, depending on the pace of walking and the time spent on nature observations. The route is not demanding and is also suitable for families with children and the elderly. The best time to hike it is late spring and early autumn, when nature presents itself most beautifully and temperatures are most favorable.

The 'Kornuty' nature reserve, located in the Sękowa municipality in the Low Beskid, is one of the most fascinating places on the map of the Polish Carpathians. Established in 1953, it covers an area of about 11 hectares and protects unique rock formations that are a true geological treasure of the region.

The name of the reserve comes from the characteristic rock formations called 'kornuts' (from the Lemko 'korniata' - horned), which resemble horns in their shape. These impressive formations were created as a result of selective weathering of the Magura sandstone, which builds most of the massifs of the Low Beskids. This process, which took millions of years, led to the formation of fanciful shapes - rock pulpits, towers, mushrooms and thresholds, which today delight visitors.

The main rock ridge of the reserve stretches for about 250 meters and reaches heights of up to 20 meters. The largest accumulation of rock formations is on the southern slope of Magura Wątkowska (847 meters above sea level), one of the highest hills in this part of the Low Beskid. Wandering among these rock labyrinths, you can feel as if you are in a fairy-tale land, where nature has created true works of art.

There are many local legends and tales associated with the 'Kornuts'. According to one of them, these rocks are fossilized giants who once inhabited the area and terrorized the local population. Another account says that hidden in the caves and rock crevices are the treasures of robbers, who in the old days attacked merchants traversing trade routes through the Beskid Niski. Local Lemkos also believed that these rocks had magical powers and performed various rituals near them, especially during the summer solstice.

The 'Kornuty' reserve is not only fascinating geology, but also rich flora and fauna. The rocky outcrops are overgrown with mosses and lichens, and ferns and other rock plants grow in their crevices. The surrounding forests are mainly Carpathian beech with an admixture of fir and sycamore. Among the animals here you can find roe deer, wild boar, foxes, as well as rare species of birds, such as the Ural tawny owl and the white-backed woodpecker.

For tourists, the reserve is accessible by a blue tourist trail, which leads from Folusz through 'Kornuty' to Magura Wątkowska. This route, although not very long (about 5 km one way), offers unforgettable impressions and beautiful views. It is worth planning at least half a day for it, so you can explore the rock labyrinths in peace and enjoy the atmosphere of this unique place.

The best time to visit the reserve is late spring and early autumn, when the forests sparkle with a variety of colors and weather conditions are favorable for mountain hiking. In winter, rocks covered with snow and ice create fairy-tale scenery, but it is important to remember to be properly prepared for hiking in winter conditions.

The 'Kornuty' reserve is a place that combines natural, geological and cultural values, offering visitors a true journey through time and space. It is also an excellent starting point for further exploration of the Low Beskids - both in the direction of the Magurski National Park and other attractions of this fascinating, but still underestimated region of Poland.

It is worth mentioning that there is another geological peculiarity near the reserve - Diabli Kamień in Folusz. This solitary rock, about 10 meters high, is also made of Magur sandstone and, according to local legends, was a meeting place for witches and devils. Together with the 'Kornuts', it forms a geological educational path that allows you to better understand the processes that shaped the landscape of the Low Beskids for millions of years.