Magura National Park

The Most Interesting Natural Attractions of the Low Beskids

Magura National Park is located in the Low Beskids and constitutes one of the most valuable concentrations of nature in Poland. The unique landscape of this Carpathian range, consisting of many ridges, individual hills separated by wide valleys through which rivers and streams flow, was one of the reasons for establishing the national park. Magura National Park covers an area of about 19,000 hectares. It includes both mountainous terrains and forests. A significant part of the park areas (95%!) is covered with beech-fir forests with rare sycamore forests. It is the most forested national park in Poland!

An important element of the landscape of Magura National Park is one of the right tributaries of the upper Vistula – Wisłoka. Numerous tributaries of this Subcarpathian river create picturesque breaks and bends, often changing direction after receiving a larger tributary.

Magura National Park, photo W. Wójcik

In the park, well-preserved natural old-growth fir trees and dominating beech forests attract attention, along with rich fauna of the forest, interesting flora, diverse rock formations made of flysch rocks of the Magura nappe, and monuments of Lemko culture, making it one of the highlights of the Low Beskids.

 

The area of Magura National Park features a network of well-organized paths and tourist trails that will take you to the most beautiful corners of the park and the Low Beskids. It's a paradise for lovers of hiking in nature, away from the crowds of popular attractions.

Flora and Fauna of Magura National Park

Nature lovers will be amazed by the diversity of species in Magura National Park. In this most forested Polish park, mountain meadows enchant with heathlands, as well as characteristic for this area soft-haired cornflowers, mainly found on the sites of former Orthodox churches, cemeteries, and old villages of the Low Beskids once inhabited by Lemkos.

Magura National Park is home to many unique varieties of plants and types of animals. You will find rare insects, amphibians, and reptiles, as well as other animals under strict protection. Among the rare and protected plants growing in Magura National Park are: two-leaf squill, golden lily, and marsh orchid along with other species from the orchid family. There are also many species of fungi, some of which were under strict protection for years.

Magura National Park, photo by K. Tywusik-Buła

Among the animals that inhabit the park, we can distinguish bears, wolves, strictly protected lynxes, and wildcats. Unusually for a mountainous area in the Low Beskids, there is also elk, and among the interesting species, we can also mention beaver and badger.

The park is home to many birds of prey, including the common buzzard, Ural owl, common buzzard, or the screaming eagle. Not without reason, the latter - the screaming eagle - is the symbol of Magura National Park. Here, there is a record number in Poland and one of the largest densities of this species in Europe.

All these natural peculiarities make Magura National Park an ideal place for bird watchers, ecology enthusiasts, and nature photography.

READ MORE ABOUT THE NATURAL PECULIARITIES OF THE LOW BESKIDS

Tourist Trails in Magura National Park

Trail to Mount Cergowa, photo by P. Piątek

Magura National Park offers unforgettable attractions for all hikers. Here, you'll find many paths and tourist trails that will lead you to the most beautiful corners of the Low Beskids. Among over 80 km of routes in the park's buffer zone, you'll find those that are perfect both for beginners and more demanding hikers. They lead through beautiful forests, numerous streams, meadows, and mountain peaks, allowing you to enjoy the extraordinary diversity of nature.

 

It's worth mentioning that hiking is often the only way to explore some areas of the park, as many places in this still undiscovered attraction of the Low Beskids cannot be reached by car. This is one of the reasons why mass tourism has not reached this place. It's a natural enclave, an ideal place for those longing for silence and undisturbed contact with nature.

There are 6 tourist trails in the park, including the Kiczera trail – friendly for inexperienced hikers, the Folusz nature trail – connecting two interesting geological objects – Magurski Waterfall and the Diabli Kamień rock outcrop, the Świerzowa Ruska natural-cultural trail – running through the territory of a non-existent Lemko village.

Important hiking and cycling trails of the Low Beskids run through the park. Among them, we can mention a section of the Main Beskid Trail (red trail), a section of the Kazimierz Pułaski Border Trail (blue trail), and trails: a section of the green trail Gorlice-Ożenna (runs through the areas of Magura National Park and its buffer zone from Wapienne to Ożenna), the blue trail Rozdziele - peak of the Low Beskids - Ferdel, and the popular black trail from Folusz to Diabli Kamień and Ferdel.

mentioning: the Jasło – Ożenna “At the Crossroads of Cultures” trail (red trail), the Main Carpathian Bike Trail (red trail), the Wine Bike Trail (yellow trail)

Information and guides about natural paths and trails of the Low Beskids leading through Magura National Park can be found on the park's websites.

READ MORE ABOUT IDEAS FOR HIKING THE TRAILS OF THE LOW BESKIDS

Cultural and Historical Sites in Magura National Park

Magura National Park, hidden in the heart of the picturesque Low Beskids, is not only a unique place in terms of nature but also culturally and historically interesting. Walking through the park area, it's easy to come across numerous traces of the past. Among the attractions of the Low Beskids, historic Orthodox churches, wooden churches, or abandoned Lemko villages and chapels, bearing witness to the rich history of the region, hold a special place. They are an integral part of the park's landscape and are evidence of the cultural mosaic of these territories.

 

Each of these objects tells its own story, offering visitors a unique opportunity to learn about the traditions and customs of the former inhabitants of the Low Beskids. Also noteworthy are the historic cemeteries from World War I, such as the military cemetery no. 6 with a monument designed by Dusan Jurkovic.

Orthodox Church in Chyrowa, photo by I. Bobowski

Visiting Magura National Park, one cannot skip these cultural and historical spots, which are an integral part of this attraction of the Low Beskids and make a wonderful complement to the natural values of the park.

READ MORE ABOUT THE LEMKOS IN THE LOW BESKIDS

READ MORE ABOUT THE MILITARY CEMETERIES IN THE LOW BESKIDS

Worth seeing in Magura National Park and its vicinity:

Krempna

Greek Catholic tserkov in Kotań

Former Greek Catholic tserkov in Świątkowa Mała

Former Greek Catholic tserkov in Świątkowa Wielka

Greek Catholic tserkov in Olchowiec

‘By the Watermill‘ waterfall in Iwla

Zyndranowa

Museum of Łemko Culture in Zyndranowa

Ski Museum in Cieklin

Scenic Tower in Desznica

• Grzywacka Mountain

• Cemeteries from the time of the First World War

Photo: Marek Skruch