Poland’s Slowinski National Park, located along the Baltic Sea, is home to some of Europe’s most unique and towering shifting sand dunes. Established in 1967, the park was created to protect the region’s lakes, peat bogs, meadows, and forests. However, the dunes that make the park famous are also responsible for changing the landscape beyond recognition.
Stretching across 186 square kilometers (about 72 square miles), Slowinski is known for its belt of shifting dunes, which have been moving inland for thousands of years due to the strong winds of the Baltic Sea. These dunes have swallowed entire villages and forests. On the Mierzeja Lebska, or Lebska Spit, the sand moves an average of 10 meters (about 30 feet) every year. As a result, forests that once thrived in the area have been replaced by dunes that can reach heights of up to 40 meters (131 feet).
The only remnants of the forest are “fossil tips” visible at the tops of some dunes. Historical records and local traditions suggest that entire villages have been lost to the relentless movement of the dunes. Scientists believe that the park’s three large lakes were once bays, but shifting sands have closed them off.
In 1977, UNESCO recognized Slowinski as a World Biosphere Reserve, highlighting its role as a site for studying sustainable development and ecological change.
The park is a sanctuary for rare water birds, including white-tailed eagles and cormorants. Visitors can explore over 105 miles of hiking trails through the dunes or climb observation towers for stunning views of the landscape.
For those planning to visit, the nearby resort town of Leba offers horseback riding on the beach, making it a perfect spot for an unforgettable getaway.
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