For us avid travellers and nature lovers, the Biebrza Marshes are a truly unique place on the map of our country. They are wetlands – the largest, but also the longest and probably the wildest in Poland, captivating in their primeval character and unbelievable richness of life. In this guide we take you on a journey through the very heart of this extraordinary region, the Biebrza National Park. We will try to uncover its secrets, give you tips on how to visit it and what makes it so special that right here, among the floodplains of the Biebrza River and these vast peat bogs, you will find true tranquillity as well as a fascinating spectacle of nature. What more could you want? Be prepared to immerse yourself in the world of the marshes; for although it sometimes requires you to put on your wellingtons, each successive step reveals something completely new and unusual, be it a vast wetland or a small bog. Exploring can be like solving a difficult crossword puzzle, full of surprises.

Biebrza National Park: The Heart of the Marshes

When we think of the Biebrza Marshes, the Biebrza National Park almost automatically comes to mind. It is the true heart of the area and guardian of its unique natural heritage. The vast expanses of this reserve, into which the Biebrza River flows freely, form an ecosystem of truly European significance. Situated in the Podlaskie Voivodeship (more precisely, in the Monieck District), the park is a refuge for countless species of plants and animals, continually attracting naturalists, ornithologists, and all who seek contact with nature in its purest, unspoilt form. What’s more, the park allows entry with dogs on most trails (a huge plus and convenience for many travelling with pets). Biebrza National Park is, by the way, a real colossus compared to other Polish parks. Founded in 1993, it quickly became known as the largest and longest, stretching along the nearly 160km-long Biebrza River. Its size and unspoilt nature mean that you can feel the true power of nature here, which – fortunately – has not yet been fully tamed by man.

The main purpose of establishing the Biebrza National Park was, and still is, to protect Europe’s largest system of valley peatlands and the unique plant and animal species associated with them. After all, the Biebrza Valley, with its extensive wetlands, is of great importance as a breeding ground for wetland birds and as a refuge for large mammals, including, of course, the elk. Protecting this extremely fragile ecosystem is an absolute priority so that future generations can also enjoy its unique riches. It is possible to view this park very differently from typical mountain or forest areas.

Fauna and flora of the Biebrza Marshes

The Biebrza Marshes are a true paradise for nature lovers in their purest form. You can often see a small bunch with binoculars on the viewing platform; these are usually ornithologists and birdwatching enthusiasts. Flocks of birds leave their roosts in search of food, and the water in the moor seems to be teeming with life, full of a variety of animal species. In fact, the place simply abounds with species that you would be vain to find anywhere else. The park is home to some 270 species of wetland birds and as many as 50 species of mammals. Observing these animals in their natural, wild habitat is one of the most moving experiences the Biebrza can offer us.

A wealth of wetland birds: From cranes to rare species

The Biebrza, not without reason, is regarded as a true “bird trail”. Water and marsh birds feel absolutely at home here! We can admire majestic cranes, geese (especially spectacular are their flights in spring and autumn, when they gather in thousands in the fields – imagine, in April-May even 40 thousand!), ducks, as well as ruffs, marsh owls, lesser spotted eagles, fishers, white-tailed eagles (our national symbol, the white-tailed eagle), golden eagles, eagle owls or black grouse. Ornithologists from all over the world even flock here in search of the extremely rare Aquatic Warbler. If you have a keen eye, you should also look out for the Greater Spotted Eagle, which nests in large, old trees on the marshes and in Poland can be found mainly on the Biebrza Marshes. The Biebrza River is home to a variety of fish – wonder which species dominate?

Marshes mammals: Moose, wolves, beavers and others

The kingdom of the Biebrza? It is without a shadow of a doubt the moose. The Biebrza Valley is home to the largest moose refuge in the whole of Poland, with an estimated 650 individuals. The moose take a special liking to this wet area with its abundance of water and marsh vegetation. You are sure to see them walking along the Carski Trakt; they often stand right by the footbridge on the Dluga Luka, carelessly chewing on twigs. But the marshes also provide shelter for other fascinating mammals, such as wolves, lynx, deer, roe deer, beavers (you can easily meet beavers in the river and admire their impressive feeding grounds, dams and fallen trees), raccoons, foxes or ermine. With a bit of luck, (although I haven’t managed it yet), we can even see those rare blue moor frogs. There is also talk of places like the ‘wolf marsh’, where interesting animal species can be found.

Swamp vegetation: From peat bogs to colourful flowers

The flora of the Biebrza Marshes can be equally, if not more, spectacular. Unique plant communities can be found here, extensive peat bogs with numerous oxbow lakes, as well as oak-hornbeam, alder-horn and riparian forests, often situated among those harder to reach, wilder bogs full of moorland. The bogs themselves are dominated by the characteristic peat mosses, the main component of peat. In turn, they are home to rare species such as bog cranberry and round-leaved sundew – both under strict protection in Poland. The bog plant, which is said to have an effect on moths, grows in specific conditions; it is often found as a woodland plant. Curious what its flower looks like? The marshmallow plant also has other uses and shows interesting properties.

Other equally strictly protected species that we can spot here include the low birch, narrow-leaved gentian, marsh buckthorn, broad-leaved orchid, king’s gnat and bog rockrose. Among the rare plants, we can find the sharp-pointed marsh marigold. In the bog forest, which flows smoothly into the wet forest, pine dominates, and mossy birch often grows next to it – easy to distinguish from the bearded birch by the characteristic hairy growth on the leaves and stems. In early spring, the marshes come alive with the flowering vaginal woolly adelgid, developing those lovely, fluffy fruiting bodies. And in April? The floodplains and standing water can literally be covered in a bright yellow carpet of marsh marigolds!

Exploring the Biebrza Marshes: A Practical Guide

An expedition into these vast backwaters, the Biebrza, requires some preparation, but – rest assured – it is nothing overly complicated. The Biebrza National Park offers a whole range of sightseeing possibilities, from easy, marked trails to slightly more challenging trails leading straight through swamps and marshes. Remember, however, that tickets are required within the park to legally use the trails and educational paths. A normal ticket costs £8, a concessionary ticket costs £4, and toddlers under 5 get in completely free (pretty affordable, right?). They can be purchased online or at various stationary points, a list of which is provided by the park – for example, at the park’s headquarters in Osowiec-Twierdza, where you can also buy paper maps. Maps of the Biebrza Marshes are essential.

Hiking trails: walking and cycling routes, levels of difficulty

The Biebrza Marshes offer trails for almost everyone; whether you are a Sunday walker, a seasoned hiker or a cyclist looking for a tourist attraction. Here are a few, selected trail suggestions:

• Carska Droga: This is the main artery running through the southern part of the Biebrza National Park, linking Fortress-Osowiec with Strękowa Gora. The route is superbly adapted for cyclists (you only have to cycle a few hundred metres through the forest to reach the car park in a clearing), with really good pavement and practical shelters where you can take shelter from a sudden downpour. A section of the Podlaskie Stork Trail and the Green Velo trail runs through it. Remember, although driving here at night can be dangerous due to the large number of animals crossing the road – it is worth taking this into account when planning your return after dark.

• The “Footbridge” nature trail: Marked by green signs, this trail is 2.2 km long. It starts at the bridge on the Rudzki Canal, leads along willow bushes and rushes, very close to the Biebrza River, and ends near Fort II (Zarzeczny).

• The “Honczarowska Dyke” educational trail: Diverges from the Carska Droga, measures 3.3 km. It leads deep into the vast peat bogs, heading towards the Biebrza River. This is a place that is certainly worth a look, especially if you are a wildlife tracker. At the end, after 3.3 km, there is a lookout tower located at a meadow that is often referred to as the “Battalion Tower”. The trail ends just behind this tower.

• The “Long Gap” nature trail: It is only 0.4 km long and is simply a 400 m footbridge between marshes. It starts at the Carskaya Road, near Brzeziny, about halfway between the villages of Laskowiec and Dobarz. The path is particularly popular because of its accessibility and also because of very frequent… encounters with moose, who take a liking to the area, nibbling on the grass there. There is, of course, a comfortable viewing platform at the very end of the footbridge.

• White Grassland” trail: This leads along a causeway from the village of Mscichy to a campsite and viewing tower, situated on a dry mineral elevation called the White Grad.

• Jałowo-Nowy Lipsk footbridge: You can start your tour from Jałowo (located on provincial road 673 Dąbrowa Białostocka – Lipsk) or, alternatively, from Nowy Lipsk. The Biebrza River crossing, realised by means of a self-service bridge over the Biebrza River, is an additional interesting attraction.

• Czerwone Bagno Educational Trail: Located 4.3 km from Grzędy forester’s lodge. The Red Swamp educational trail reaches a viewing platform, from where a magnificent panorama of the red swamp can be enjoyed. Visits at the Grzędy forester’s lodge are possible from Monday to Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., and from 20.04 to 10.09 also on Saturdays and Sundays during the same hours. The starting point is of course the aforementioned Grzędy forester’s lodge. The wetlands of the red marsh are unique.

• Hiking trails: Green and Red: The green trail measures 5 km in both directions and can easily be walked at any time before dark. The red trail has a total length of 9.5 km. Hikers describe their impressions of these trails roughly as follows: “I walked the entire trail (through the swamps) past Kosódka, water up to my pants in places”. When planning to cross the red trail, you simply must take wellingtons or waders with you – if you are ready for a real dip in the swamp, this trail is for you! The forest swamp can take you by surprise.

Accessibility: How to get to Biebrza National Park?

The most convenient, and probably the easiest, way to get to Biebrza National Park is by car. It takes just over two hours to get there from Warsaw, mainly thanks to the new expressway. Monki, a town conveniently located between Bialystok and Goniadz, can be easily reached from the Podlasie capital. From Ełk or Augustów, on the other hand, the journey to the park gates takes about 45 minutes. The key access points are undoubtedly the Fortress-Osowiec in the north (connected by the Carska Droga with Strękowa Góra in the south of the reserve), as well as towns such as Goniadz or Dębowo (where you will find the first lock of the famous Augustow Canal). A map of Poland with the Biebrza River marked on it makes orientation easier.

Accommodation and accomodation: Agrotourism, recreation centres

The surroundings of the Biebrza National Park offer a really wide range of accommodation options. We personally particularly highly recommend the charming agritourisms; they are often located in picturesque, extremely peaceful places, for example in Kopytkowo, Dolistowo Stary or the charming area of Goniadz. This, in our opinion, is a great opportunity to feel that real, local atmosphere of the region. In Goniadz itself, (interestingly) there is also a Recreation and Leisure Centre on the beach, where you can pitch a tent, as well as use the sauna and toilets – an option for the more ‘survivalist’ tourists. You can also find woodland accommodation in silence.

Equipment: What to take with you on a marsh expedition?

When packing your backpack for the Biebrza, be sure to keep in mind the specifics of this (somewhat) marshy place. What is absolutely essential? Especially if you plan to get off the main, relatively dry trails, then… wellingtons or waders! After all, the water can reach really, really high in places! It is always a good idea to have a map of the park (available from the park’s headquarters in Osowiec-Twierdza or on loan from some agro-tourism facilities) handy – it is better to be safe than sorry. Binoculars are a must for nature lovers, and birders in particular, and you can’t do without them to observe properly. If you decide to go kayaking, don’t forget sun cream, a bottle of water, a safety waistcoat, a waterproof bag for valuables and, of course, paddles. And one more important note, it is best to explore the Biebrza River during the day when there is good visibility, because the large number of animals coming out on the road at night, (as we have already mentioned), can be, well, simply dangerous. In fact, have you thought about a torch? It can come in handy, even for an evening walk. Maps of the Biebrza marshes will help with orientation.

Tourist attractions around the Biebrza National Park

Although it is nature that plays an absolutely prominent role here and, we admit, is much more exciting to us than the wonders of human architecture, the area around the Biebrza National Park nevertheless hides quite a few other interesting places that are definitely worth a visit to fully complete the experience of a trip through this charming region of Podlasie, which is full of Biebrza climate. You can also taste the Biebrza flavours here.

Cities and towns worth visiting: Goniadz, Mońki, Tykocin

The nearby towns and villages are definitely worth a visit, at least for a while. Goniadz, picturesquely situated on the Biebrza River itself, is a popular starting point for all kinds of canoeing trips, and is also a pleasant town with a nice swimming area. Mońki is a slightly larger town, where you can easily do some major shopping; it is strategically located between Bialystok and Goniadz. Tykocin, on the other hand, is a completely different story – it delights with its unusual charm and colourful, rich Jewish history. The Jeleniewo area is also worth a visit.

Restaurants and pubs with local cuisine

Podlasie is famous for its unique, (sometimes quite surprising), regional cuisine. In the Biebrza region, you will find several places where you can taste local specialities without embarrassment. The Dwor Dobarz pub, located on the Carska Droga itself, is an ideal, convenient stopover while exploring the park. In Goniadz and other, slightly larger towns, it is also worth taking a moment to look for restaurants serving these more regional dishes. Sometimes you may come across a local Biebrza beer.

Other interesting places: Osowiec Fortress, Augustow Canal and what else?

We particularly highly recommend a visit to the Osowiec Fortress, this impressive fortification built by the Russians between 1882 and 1915, strategically located in a natural narrowing of the Biebrza valley. It consists of four forts (Fort 1 Central, Fort II Zarzeczny, Fort III Szwedzki, Fort IV Nowy). During World War I, all attempts, even the boldest, to conquer it by German troops ended in total failure. In 1919, the fortress was taken over by the Polish Army, using it, among other things, as the headquarters of the Central NCO School of the Border Protection Corps. It is worth mentioning that the Osowiec Fortress itself did not play any role in the September campaign, but Strękowa Mountain in the village of Strękowa Gora near Wizna commemorates another heroic battle from that period, where the Polish army was commanded by Captain Raginis, bravely repelling the attacks of the much more numerous German army under the command of Heinz Guderian. From Strękowa Góra, moreover, there is a beautiful view of the Narew Valley, and the place has earned the well-deserved name of the Polish Thermopylae. Tours of the Osowiec Fortress itself are organised by the Osowiec Fortification Society, (nota bene, very committed people). The Biebrza National Park also has its headquarters in Osowiec-Twierdza, and the nature and history trail starts in this small settlement, located right next to the Fortress itself. Another observation tower, offering a view of the meandering riverbed, is located on Skobel Mountain, named after the Russian officer M. Skobielewo. The lookout tower on Skobel Hill offers a beautiful panorama.

What else is there to see? The Augustow Canal is also worth a look. After all, in Dębowo on the Biebrza River there is the first of eighteen locks of this unusual canal, which was originally intended to connect the Vistula River basin (via the Biebrza and Narew rivers) with the Niemen River basin, thus making the Kingdom of Poland independent of the onerous duties dictated by Prussia. The designer and first builder of the canal was Colonel Ignacy Pradzynski – a piece of Polish engineering history! Today, unfortunately (history can be perverse), part of the canal (21 km to be exact) is on Belarusian territory.

For lovers of old wooden buildings, we recommend visiting the preserved old lamus located in the village of Kalinówka Kościelna and the town of Knyszyn. The rectory lamus in Kalinówka Kościelna, built in the second half of the 18th century as an outbuilding, now houses a small exhibition of the Regional Chamber – a small museum created with passion thanks to the commitment of the Kalinówka Kościelna residents. The lamus in Knyszyn, erected in 1818, was also part of the parsonage buildings. But that’s not all! It is also worth visiting the Centre of Three Cultures in Suchowola (an interesting museum telling the history of Poles, Jews and Tartars who lived side by side in this area), the Korycin-Milewszczyzna Cultural Park (based on the castle, grange and windmill of Jatwieź Duża, brilliantly showing life over a thousand years), the Museum of Leipzig Easter Eggs and Traditions in Lipsko (absolutely unique!), the Memorial Chamber of Blessed Father Jerzy Popiełuszko in Suchowola (in the rectory of the parish of Sts. Apostles Peter and Paul) and finally the Dairy Tradition Centre – the Milk Museum in Grajewo (nota bene, the first facility of its kind in Poland!). As you can see, there is no shortage of attractions outside the park itself.

Biebrza Marshes: History and the present day

The history of the Biebrza Marshes is an extraordinary story – not only about wild nature, but also about man, who for centuries has been trying to find his place in this difficult, unpredictable wetland, full of quagmires and mud. Past settlement in this area was marked by a constant struggle against the powerful elements of water and nature.

History of marshland settlement

Despite the fact that the conditions for farming were, to put it mildly, difficult, small villages were established in the marshes, such as the tragically experienced Grzędy. Unfortunately, history was sometimes brutal here – for collaborating with the partisans, the Germans, on the grim day of 16 August 1943, burnt down the entire village, shot 36 inhabitants and deported the rest to forced labour in the Third Reich. A testimony to the deep faith and unimaginable hardships of the former inhabitants is the still standing holy pine tree, on which they hung a wooden chapel as a votive offering for the miracles they believed they had performed. It can be seen at the entrance to the Red Swamp educational trail. And at its base? You can even see spruce seedlings, tangible proof of nature’s ability to renew itself.

Human impact on the bog ecosystem

In the past, well, man has obviously tried to tame and manage these difficult marshlands. The Bench Swamp is a classic example – a vast area of lowland fields and bogs where meadows were once intensively mown. Today, looked at from a different perspective, these fields have turned into fallow land, and the whole area has become… well, a unique area where wild birds once again have a chance to nest unhindered. The national park effectively protects the area from further damaging interference, allowing nature to slowly regain its original shape. Although, it must be admitted, traces of former human activity are still, unfortunately, very visible.

Nature conservation and the future of the Biebrza Marshes

The Biebrza National Park plays an absolutely key role in protecting this unique ecosystem. After all, the Biebrza Marshes are one of the most valuable natural sites in the whole of Europe, especially in the context of the global problem of wetland disappearance. Areas such as the Red Swamp Reserve – which is a strict protection area of 2,569 hectares, located in the middle basin of the park – are protected in a special way, providing shelter for a multitude of mammal species (elk, deer, roe deer, wolf, lynx) and birds (nesting there are, among others, white-tailed eagles, golden eagles, lesser spotted eagles, marsh owls, eagle owls, cranes, black grouse), as well as unique plants under strict species protection. The wetlands of the red marsh are a true treasure. The future of the Biebrza Marshes depends, as always, on the effectiveness of the conservation measures carried out, but also on people’s awareness of their priceless natural value – can we fully appreciate it?

Biebrza Marshes: An unusual place on the map of Poland

In summary, the Biebrza Marshes is a place that genuinely stimulates the senses and, just as importantly, remains in the memory for a very, very long time. It is without doubt the ideal destination for absolutely every nature lover – regardless of age or experience. You can watch many documentaries about the place. We personally cherish the memories of our many visits, remembering our first trip together when Lenka was just 8 months old and Pola… well, she wasn’t planning yet! Many villages in the area offered great facilities.

Back then, we chased wild geese through the fields, admired moose quietly chewing twigs right on the Biebrza River itself. I also remember that spring, when we experienced a true SPECTACLE OF NATURE – huge amounts of water flooded fields and even forests in some places, interrupted only by strips of dry ground and trees sticking out of the water. From Strękowa Mountain there was, in our opinion, the best view of these Narew floodplains.

Thousands of birds – geese, ducks – gathered in the fields above the Biebrza, forming literally gigantic flocks of feeding birds. In these flooded fields, if you look well, you can also see cranes, as well as roe deer. In the river, (if you look closely), you will see beavers and admire their feeding grounds, dams, and all those distinctive fallen trees.

In April, the standing water can be covered with duckweed seedpods, directly creating whole, bright yellow carpets! I also remember a pair of swans patiently building a nest right on the water… Magic! Also unforgettable is a misty morning on the Biebrza River when the sun paints the water a wonderful orange colour. Moose on the Carski Trakt? As they were, so they are, and often, surprisingly, they are standing right by the footbridge to Marsh Benches. Spring in the Biebrza is in full bloom of life, with flocks of returning birds flying overhead and a mass of other animals nibbling at the water.

Nature lovers looking for a feast of colours and sounds, as well as those who want to peep up close at the impressive moose bivouac in autumn (although then the moose do not shed their antlers until late autumn, meaning the bivouac itself is earlier), will find absolutely everything they are looking for at Biebrza. It is a true Biebrza eldorado. As my grandmother used to say “if you want to see the world, start from your own backyard” – Biebrza is a great example.

We once took advantage of a guided tour offer – highly recommended! The guide can be a local enthusiast. He showed us the places where beavers, geese and moose are most easily seen, as well as a whole host of other, less obvious animals. Alternatively, you can take a catamaran cruise with an ornithologist who talks about birds in a fascinating way – we were hit by a massive storm and downpour that day but, surprisingly, the experience was truly unforgettable. Biebrza safaris can also be purchased.

All in all, the Biebrza is a beautiful place at any time of the year and we wholeheartedly encourage you to visit it. It is the kind of trip that stays in your heart and memory for a very, very long time. A viewing platform can be found in many places.