Roztocze National Park

Małopolska


The park, which covers an area of 79 sq km, was a nature reserve for more than 350 years as part of the Zamoyski family estate. Today, it’s home to a diverse range of flora and fauna, and is popular for its hiking and cycling opportunities. For a sampler of Roztocze's natural beauty, take the Trail on Beech Mountain (2.6km) south from the museum to the top of Bukowa Góra (Beech Mountain, 306m) along a former palace park lane.

The normal starting points for walks is the park visitor centre where you can buy park maps and get info. The symbol of the park is the Polish pony – a descendent of a wild horse known as the tarpan that died out in the 19th century. The horse was reintroduced to the park in 1982 and there's a small pony refuge near Echo Ponds. If you want to visit the pony reserve near Echo Ponds, there is a short route (1.2km) from the museum. Longer walks generally weave from Zwierzyniec through forest terrain to neighbouring villages (such as Florianka, known for its Polish pony breeding). Intersecting paths enable you to return by a different route or cut to another path.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby Małopolska attractions

1. Museum Educational Centre

0.12 MILES

Located near the entrance to Roztocze National Park, this centre has interesting displays of local flora and fauna. It's close to the park visitor centre.

2. Zwierzyniec Brewery

0.17 MILES

The local brewery is owned by national giant Perła. It makes popular Czech-style Zwierzyniec lager. Tours of the brewery, which is right on the lake,…

3. Chapel on the Water

0.29 MILES

Just near the Roztocze National Park Visitor Centre is this small chapel, St John of Nepomuk, the only significant structure remaining from the Zamoyski’s…

4. Rotunda & Martyrdom Museum

14.29 MILES

About 500m southwest of the Old Town is the Rotunda – a ring-shaped fort 54m in diameter surrounding a circular yard. The rotunda was built in the 1820s…

5. Arsenal Museum

14.5 MILES

This museum of military hardware and the city's fortifications is housed in three separate areas along the city's western bastions. Start at the facility…

6. Zamoyski Palace

14.6 MILES

This former palace (closed to the public) was the main residence of Jan Zamoyski, and dates from 1586. It was built in accordance with Bernardo Morando’s…

7. Religious Art Museum

14.6 MILES

Behind the church is the former vicarage from the 1610s with its splendid ornate doorway. The Religious Art Museum features a collection of sacred art…

8. Cathedral

14.62 MILES

The cathedral was built by Morando between 1587 and 1598 as a votive offering and mausoleum for the Zamoyskis. The exterior changed dramatically in the…