Tours of Poland: 5 remarkable landscape parks ideal for a family adventure

Tours of Poland: 5 remarkable landscape parks ideal for a family adventure

June 11, 2025

Poland abounds in picturesque landscape parks, which are ideal places for family trips combining active recreation with nature education. These green enclaves protect the most valuable ecosystems while offering excellent tourist infrastructure tailored to the needs of families with children. We present five unique landscape parks that will delight both adults and the youngest explorers. Each is distinguished by unique natural features, fascinating history and attractions that will make your time spent together an unforgettable adventure full of discovery and joy of contact with nature.

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Between lakes and bunkers - Drawsko Landscape Park and Silesian Beskid Landscape Park

Drava Landscape Park is a true paradise for lovers of lakes and active recreation. Established in 1979, it covers an area of over 41,000 hectares and protects the unique post-glacial landscapes of the Drawsko Lake District. At the heart of the park is a system of more than 40 lakes, the most impressive of which is Drawsko - the fifth deepest lake in Poland, reaching 83 meters in depth. Local legend has it that a sunken medieval Templar treasure is hidden in its depths, further sparking the imagination of the youngest explorers.

The park offers families unique opportunities for water recreation. Clean beaches, piers and water equipment rentals make it an ideal place to learn to kayak or pedal a water bike. A lesser-known but fascinating attraction is the so-called 'Połczyńska Switzerland' - a picturesque gorge of the Dębnica River with numerous waterfalls and rapids, where you can have a family picnic surrounded by lush nature.

For families interested in history, the Drawsko Landscape Park hides the mysterious Pomeranian Embankment - a system of German fortifications from World War II. The preserved bunkers and fortifications are available to explore on specially marked historical trails. Children will be delighted to explore these mysterious structures, and parents will appreciate the educational value of such a trip.

It is also worth visiting a lesser-known attraction of the park - the 'Valley of Five Lakes' reserve, where in a relatively small area you can admire five picturesque bodies of water connected by the winding Drava River. The route around the lakes is easy and accessible even to families with small children, and you can encounter rare species of water birds along the way.

The Beskid Slaski Landscape Park, on the other hand, is a mountainous area that delights at any time of the year. Established in 1998, it encompasses the highest parts of the Silesian Beskid, including the popular peaks of Skrzyczne (1257 meters above sea level) and Klimczok (1117 meters above sea level). Few people know that the name 'Klimczok' comes from a legendary robber who, according to legends, had his hideout in these mountains and helped poor highlanders by taking goods from rich merchants.

The park offers an extensive network of hiking trails with varying degrees of difficulty, allowing the route to be adapted to the abilities of the youngest tourists. Particularly family-oriented is the nature trail 'Szyndzielnia', where children can learn about mountain nature through play and interactive educational boards. In winter, the park turns into a skiers' paradise - numerous ski lifts and slopes in Szczyrk, Wisła and Brenna are also adapted to the needs of the youngest adepts of skiing.

A unique attraction of the park is the 'Bread Hut' in Górki Maly - a place where children can bake traditional bread with their own hands according to old recipes and learn about the process of making this basic product. This is a living lesson in history and ethnography that engages all the senses.

Compared to the Drawsko Landscape Park, the Silesian Beskid offers a more mountainous experience and is ideal for families who prefer active recreation in the higher elevations. Drawski Park, on the other hand, is an excellent choice for water sports and military history enthusiasts. Both parks are linked by a rich educational offer and the possibility of close contact with nature.

Mysteries of mountains and rocks -. Sowie Mountains Landscape Park and Rudawy Landscape Park

The Owl Mountains Landscape Park is a place shrouded in mystery and legends that spark the imagination of children and adults alike. Established in 1991, it encompasses the highest parts of the Owl Mountains with a culmination at Great Owl (1015 meters above sea level). The name of the mountains comes from the numerous owls found here, which, according to local legends, are the souls of miners who died in the mines. This legend is just a foretaste of the fascinating stories you can hear during a family trip to these mountains.

The biggest secret of the Owl Mountains is the complex of underground passageways known as 'Project Riese' (Giant) - the largest underground structure of Nazi Germany during World War II. Some of these tunnels are open to the public at the 'Osowka' and 'Wlodarz' complexes, where families can learn about the fascinating, albeit dark history. Special tours have been prepared for children, which present the history of the site in an accessible way, without echoing drastic details.

A lesser-known but equally fascinating attraction is Bystrzyckie Lake with its 1914 dam, which at one time was the highest dam in Europe. A walk along the dam's crest is not only an opportunity to admire the beautiful views, but also a lesson in engineering for the youngest. Also nearby is the mysterious Grodno Castle in Zagorze Slaskie - a medieval stronghold where, according to legend, the ghost of the White Lady haunts.

The park offers numerous hiking trails that are accessible even to families with small children. Especially recommended is the route to the Great Owl, where there is a distinctive observation tower. From its top there is a panorama encompassing the Karkonosze, the Table Mountains and the Śnieżnik Massif - a view that will delight both adults and children.

The Ore Mountains Landscape Park, established in 1989, is in turn a land of picturesque rock formations and mysterious ruins. It encompasses the Rudawy Janowickie range, which is famous for its unusual rock formations, such as the 'Rocky Bridge' and the 'Old Town Rocks'. Few people know that some of these formations were places of pagan worship in the Middle Ages, and later served as hideouts for highwaymen attacking merchant caravans.

The park's best-known attraction is the Colorful Lakes in the Janowickie Ore Mountains - four water reservoirs of various colors, formed in the workings of former pyrite mines. The purple, blue, green and yellow waters of the lakes create an unusual fairy-tale landscape, which children often compare to magical lands from fairy tales. An easy educational path has been laid out around the lakes to introduce the history of mining and the process of creating these unusual reservoirs.

The Ore Mountains Landscape Park is also a paradise for lovers of castles and ruins. Particularly worth visiting are the ruins of Bolczów Castle - a medieval fortress built on a rocky cliff. According to legend, there is a treasure hidden in the castle's vaults, which is guarded by the spirit of the former owner. Exploring the ruins is a great opportunity to spin family stories and spark the imagination of children.

Compared to the Owl Mountains Landscape Park, the Ore Mountains Park offers gentler terrain and more attractions related to geology and ancient mining. Both parks are linked by a rich history and numerous legends, which make a family trip a fascinating adventure. The Owl Mountains Park is more extensive and offers more opportunities for families who prefer longer hikes, while the Ore Mountains Park is ideal for day trips with younger children.

Amid the Jurassic rocks - Tenczyński Landscape Park

Tenczynski Landscape Park is a true gem among Polish landscape parks, especially for families seeking a combination of adventure, education and history. Established in 1981, it encompasses the picturesque area of Garb Tenczyński - a range of limestone hills stretching between Krakow and Trzebinia. It's a place where nature and history intertwine to create a fascinating story, perfect for exploring with children.

The heart of the park is the monumental Tenczyn Castle in Rudno - a 14th-century stronghold of the Tęczynski family, which for centuries guarded the trade route between Krakow and Silesia. The castle, though partially in ruins, is open for tours and is an excellent history lesson for the youngest visitors. According to local legend, a huge treasure is hidden in the castle's vaults, and on moonless nights you can meet the ghost of the White Lady - the castellan's unhappily in love daughter. This tale invariably fascinates children and sparks their imagination while exploring the old walls.

A lesser-known but equally fascinating attraction is the Mnikowska Valley - a karst gorge about 2 km long, where limestone walls rise up to 80 meters high. In the valley there is a characteristic rock 'Nad Grotta' with a small chapel carved into the rock, where, according to legends, the Bar Confederates hid. Walking through the valley is not only an opportunity to admire beautiful landscapes, but also to observe rare species of plants and animals.

Tenczyn Landscape Park is also famous for its unique rock formations, which are a paradise for novice climbers. The rocks in the Bolechowicka or Kobylanska Valleys offer easy climbing routes, ideal for families with children who want to try their hand at the sport. Many climbing schools here organize special classes for the youngest, teaching them not only climbing technique, but also respect for nature.

For families interested in nature, the park offers a didactic path 'Zwierzyniecki Forest', where you can learn about the richness of local flora and fauna. A special attraction is the spring flowering meadows full of protected orchid species, and autumn mushroom picking in the beech forests growing on the hills. The park is also home to many species of birds, including the rare Ural tawny owl, whose hooting can be heard during evening walks.

Compared to the previously described parks, Tenczynski Landscape Park is distinguished by its proximity to Krakow (just 20 km), making it an ideal destination for day trips for families living in the city or visiting Malopolska. It is also the smallest of the described parks, which makes it possible to explore its attractions more thoroughly even during a short stay.

It is worth noting that, unlike Drawsko Landscape Park, Tenczynski Park does not offer water-related attractions, focusing more on rock formations and monuments. However, it is more accessible to families with young children than the mountain parks of the Silesian Beskid or the Sowie Mountains, thanks to its gentler terrain and shorter walking trails.

In summary, each of the five landscape parks described offers unique experiences for families with children. The Drawsko Landscape Park delights with lakes and military history, the Beskid Slaski Landscape Park offers mountain adventures, the Sowie Mountains Landscape Park intrigues with underground mysteries, the Rudawy Landscape Park fascinates with colorful lakes and castle ruins, and the Tenczyn Landscape Park combines history with geological wonders. The choice of a particular park depends on the preferences of the family, the age of the children and the season, but each of them guarantees unforgettable impressions and priceless time spent in nature.

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