English version

In the Low Beskids, the east meets the west, and the lowlands meet the mountains. In the lowest part of the Carpathian curve, unlike other mountain national parks in Poland, the height of the mountain peaks is low and does not exceed 850 m above sea level. The Magura National Park protects, among others, the forested range of Magura Wątkowska as one of the most representative of the Low Beskids, and cares for its world of plants and animals. The forested ranges of gentle mountains rise above the vast meadows and arable fields of the surrounding, not very populous villages, as well as the remains of those which ceased to exist several decades ago. The vicinity of park forests with traditionally developed agricultural areas forms an exceptionally favourable habitat for lesser spotted eagles. The density of these rare, majestic birds is the highest in the Magura Park and its vicinity. The Low Beskids are also a place where different cultures intertwine. Remainings of Lemko culture, such as wooden Orthodox churches, roadside crosses and chapels are particularly interesting, and fruit trees blooming in spring indicate places where people used to live.

The logo of the Magura National Park shows a flying lesser spotted eagle against the background of the Low Beskids. It is no coincidence that this bird became the heraldic animal of the Park. The density of this species in the area of the MNP is one of the highest in Europe (approx. 15 pairs/100 km2), which makes it possible to observe the lesser spotted eagles from spring to autumn. The selection of the lesser spotted eagle and its inclusion in the MNP logo emphasises the uniqueness of the area, which is a place of life not only for the bird, but also for many other species of plants and animals, making the Park a special place on a continent-wide scale. The unique nature of these areas is also indicated by the second element of the logo, i.e. the Low Beskids landscape line. What makes it characteristic are the gentle mountain slopes and wide valley basins. Due to the low height of the local mountains, only two vegetation zones have formed here – foothills and lower subalpine forest. Beech and fir forests have spread not only across the valleys, but also over the peaks of the highest hills. In such natural forests, mainly on fir trees, the heraldic birds of the Park make their nests, and find food in the open spaces of the valleys. Lesser spotted eagles need both forest and meadows to live, which is illustrated by the logo of the MNP.

Jan Szafrański Educational Centre and Museum in Krempna
Krempna 59, 38-232 Krempna                                                  (013) 4414099

1 May - 31 October: Monday: closed                                        (013) 4414440

Tuesday-Friday: 7 a.m. - 5 p.m.                                                mpn@magurskipn.pl

Saturdays, Sundays and holidays: 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.*                  Ticket fee:
Groups up to 10 people:

1 November - 31 April: Monday: closed                                    price up to PLN 10*
Tuesday-Friday: 7 a.m. - 3 p.m.

Saturdays, Sundays and holidays: closed*

The path leads through the area of a Lemko village of the same name which no longer exists. The beginning is located at the end of the village of Świątkowa Wielka. The path leads deeper into the valley, along the Świerzówka stream. Bridges were built on it to make the hike easier. The route ends in a mid-forest clearing called Majdan where a large rain shelter has been built. Stops on the route:

1. Świerzowa Ruska (with information about the village, a map of the former location of buildings and photos);
2. Church and cemetery (Orthodox churches in Świerzowa were pulled down, there is a village cemetery nearby);
3. Old orchard (apart from landscape and cultural values, it is a gene bank and an important source of food for many animal species);
4. Secondary succession (the process in which the forest returns to the places which it was previously removed from in favour of using the land as arable land, pastures);
5. Lemko construction (foundations of houses, stone cellars and supports of wells have survived to this day);
6. Crosses and shrines (can be found mainly by the road leading along the valley);
7. River erosion (a narrow valley formed as a result of a strong current in the upper course of the river, and in this place the effect of lateral erosion - of the banks by the river can be seen);
8. Non-forest  associations (the area of the clearing with common communities is used for haying in the area of the MNP).

Tourist trails:

Walking – 10 trails – 94.2 km
Biking – 8 trails – 52 km
Horse riding – 1 trail – 16 km

Educational paths:

5 trails – 43.5 km

Krempna 59

38-232 Krempna
tel. +48 13 441 44 40
fax: +48 13 441 40 99
e-mail: dyrekcja@magurskipn.pl
e-mail: mpn@magurskipn.pl

mpn.gov.pl