The town of Piecki, located in a picturesque corner of Mazury, offers two unique educational trails that are a real treat for nature lovers and families with children. The first of them - Educational Path-Piecki - leads through charming forest areas, presenting the diversity of local ecosystems. The route has been thoughtfully designed, allowing observation of the region's typical plant and animal species in their natural habitat. Along the entire length of the path information boards have been placed, which explain natural phenomena in an accessible way, present curiosities about forest inhabitants and explain the processes taking place in the forest ecosystem.

A particular advantage of this path is its accessibility - the surface has been prepared with different users in mind, so it can be used by families with small children, as well as seniors. Along the route, resting places have been placed - wooden benches and covered shelters, which allow for a moment of respite and quiet contemplation of the surrounding nature. Elements of education through play have been prepared for the youngest - interactive boards, nature puzzles and simple tasks to perform during the walk.

The second attraction - the Educational Path Around the Pond in Piecki - offers a completely different, but equally fascinating experience. It focuses on the aquatic ecosystem and presents the wealth of flora and fauna associated with the aquatic environment. The route circles a picturesque pond, allowing observation of life going on both on the surface of the water and in the coastal zone. Specially designed viewing platforms allow safe peeping at waterfowl, and information boards explain the complex interrelationships in this ecosystem.

The advantage of the path around the pond is its intimate nature and relatively short length, which makes it an ideal proposition even for families with the youngest children. The route is easy to follow and at the same time extremely rich in educational value. It becomes especially interesting in spring and summer, when you can observe flowering aquatic plants, feeding birds and an abundance of insects. In winter, on the other hand, it offers peaceful, atmospheric views of the snowy landscape.

Both paths in Piecki are characterized by good signage and thoughtful infrastructure. Importantly, they are available free of charge all year round, although the best time to visit them is from late spring to early autumn. It's a good idea to plan your visit in the morning or afternoon, when animal activity is at its highest and summer temperatures are most conducive to walks with children.

Moving to the west of the region, it's worth visiting the Nature Trail located on Leśna Street in Ilawa. This scenic route leads through charming parts of the Iława Lake District, offering a completely different landscape than the paths in Piecki. The Iława path is distinguished primarily by its proximity to lakes, which gives it a unique character and allows visitors to learn about transitional ecosystems - from typically forested areas to coastal zones. The route was designed with environmental education in mind, presenting the richness of local biodiversity and the importance of protecting natural habitats.

The path in Ilawa is characterized by varied terrain, making the hike more dynamic and interesting. During the walk you can admire majestic stands of trees, discover the secrets of undergrowth, and observe birds associated with both forest and aquatic environments. Special educational stations have been prepared for families with children, where you can learn the secrets of nature through play - recognize animal tracks, identify tree species by their bark or leaves, and learn about forest vegetation floors.

The infrastructure of the path includes comfortable footbridges, bridges over wetlands and vantage points that offer picturesque panoramas of the surrounding countryside. The information boards are designed to be accessible to audiences of all ages, with colorful illustrations and natural trivia that will interest both children and adults. Another advantage is its proximity to the city - the path is easily accessible even for families without a car, making it a popular destination for weekend walks by Ilawa residents.

Of a completely different nature is the Educational Path 'Forest' located in Krzywe near Suwałki. This trail, located on the outskirts of the Wigry National Park, offers insight into the unique ecosystems of northeastern Poland. The trail leads through a variety of forest habitats, presenting the richness of flora and fauna characteristic of the Suwałki region. Of particular value are fragments of old-growth forest and natural plant communities that have been little transformed by man.

The path in Krzywe was designed with comprehensive nature education in mind. Individual thematic stops present various aspects of forest functioning - from soil-forming processes, through the life cycles of plants, to the complex interrelationships between organisms. A unique element is the posts dedicated to nature conservation, which explain the importance of conservation activities for preserving biodiversity. For the youngest visitors there are interactive elements - wooden puzzles, life-size animal models or field games based on species recognition.

The trail in Krzywe is distinguished by its professional preparation - it was developed by specialists from the Wigry National Park, which guarantees the reliability of the information provided. The path is moderately difficult, with minor ascents and descents, making it suitable for families with school-age children. Along the route there are resting places and points from which one can observe forest life. Particularly valuable are the passages equipped with telescopes and binoculars, allowing you to watch birds without disturbing their natural behavior.

A unique place on the map of natural attractions of Warmia and Mazury is the Forest Arboretum of Warmia and Mazury in Kudipy. This facility, significantly different from classic educational trails, is a true compendium of botanical knowledge, presenting a wealth of tree and shrub species from different climatic zones. The arboretum was established with the aim of preserving biodiversity and educating about dendrology and forestry, but over time it has also become a popular tourist attraction, attracting nature lovers of all ages.

An impressive collection of woody plants - both species native to northeastern Poland and exotic specimens from distant regions of the world - has been gathered on an area of several hectares. Walking along the marked paths, you can admire majestic oaks, stately beeches, rare varieties of pines or ornamental species of maples. Each specimen has been carefully described, which allows you to expand your botanical knowledge on your own. Particularly valuable are the thematic collections - including a collection of different varieties of birches, a collection of heather plants or a section devoted to old varieties of fruit trees.

The Arboretum in Kudipy is distinguished by its well-thought-out spatial arrangement - the plants are grouped according to botanical affinity and geographical origin, which makes it easier to understand their systematics and ecology. Special thematic routes have been prepared for families with children, focusing on the most visually and educationally attractive elements of the collection. The youngest can participate in field games that involve recognizing species by their leaves, fruits or bark, as well as learn about the practical uses of various tree species in everyday life.

The arboretum's infrastructure has been designed with visitors' comfort in mind - comfortable paths, rest areas, covered shelters and vantage points allow peaceful contemplation of nature's beauty. The facility also offers educational classes conducted by specialists in forestry and botany, which are very popular among school groups and families. Particularly valuable are the field workshops, during which one can learn how to identify species, learn the principles of sustainable forest management or explore the secrets of forest ecology.

It is worth noting that the Arboretum in Kudipy changes its face with the seasons, offering different attractions each time. In spring it delights with flowering shrubs and bulbous plants, in summer it offers shade and coolness under the crowns of mature trees, in autumn it enchants with a phemerry of colors of changing leaves, and in winter it presents the austere beauty of snow-covered branches and distinctive tree habitats devoid of foliage.

Comparing all the described educational paths and arboretums, one can notice their complementary nature. Each attraction presents a slightly different natural aspect of the Warmia and Mazury region. The paths in Piecki focus on local forest and aquatic ecosystems, the trail in Ilawa presents the natural values of the Ilawa Lake District, the path in Krzywe introduces the natural world of the Suwałki region, and the Arboretum in Kudipy offers a broader view of botanical diversity. As a result, families planning a longer stay in the region can visit several places, each time experiencing something new and enriching their knowledge of nature.

In terms of accessibility and difficulty of trails, the most family-friendly for families with young children are the paths in Piecki and the arboretum in Kudipy, which offer well-prepared infrastructure and easy trails. The path in Ilawa and the route in Krzywe require a bit more physical effort, but are suitable for families with school-age children. All the described places have in common a high educational value and the possibility of spending time actively in nature, which is their greatest asset in the context of family excursions.