It was founded in 1989 and is one of the youngest parks in our country. It is located east of Suwalki and borders the Augustow Forest. The park covers an area of 15,085 hectares of which the majority (63%) is covered by forests and one fifth is covered by water – within its borders is the large Lake Wigry which has a very diverse coastline. The park is also crossed by the River Czarna Hancza, which is the largest in the region and a very popular kayak route.

An important asset of the park is its varied landscape of glacial origin, important forests dominated by pine and spruce and significant peat areas with rare species of plants. The park is home to over 300 different species of animals with the beaver as the most popular and it is also the emblem on its crest. There are also roe deer, deer, elk, wild boar and badgers.

There are over 200 species of avifauna – lesser spotted eagles, sea eagles, buzzards and marsh harriers nest here. The park has prepared attractive trails for hikers, cyclists, and horseback riders. There are also nature and educational trails.

Wigry National Park (woj. Podlaskie)

www.wigry.win.pl