How We Voluntarily Walked Into the Swamps 😂🚶‍♀️

After a morning stroll around Zakopane, we split up — some of our holiday companions headed off to the thermal baths. We had a different plan: we were going to the swamps.

We set off for the town of Nowy Targ, home to a truly unique place — the Bór na Czerwonem nature reserve. It’s only about 25 kilometres from Zakopane, so just a short drive. 🚗

Right at the start we were surprised to find this protected area sitting right next to the local sports airfield. As a bonus, we got to watch small planes take off and land along the way, which was a lovely added touch. ✈️

We parked practically at the entrance — and parking is free. The reserve charmed us straight away with its tranquillity. There were very few other people, the air was clean and fresh, and beautiful silence stretched out all around us.

A lovely nature trail with wooden boardwalks winds through the entire peat bog. You’re not allowed to step off them even for a moment, because deep wetlands and swamps lie on either side. At the end of the path a wooden viewing platform awaited us, offering a wonderful view. 🌲

So why is this place so unique?

We learned a few fascinating things from the information boards:

📍 It’s one of the oldest protected areas in Poland, established back in 1925 to save the rare natural environment from extraction.

💧 This entire peat bog has been forming for around 7,000 years and works like an enormous natural sponge. The sphagnum mosses here can absorb an incredible amount of water, protecting the surrounding area from both drought and flooding.

⏳ The peat grows at a snail’s pace — just 1 millimetre per year. The layer directly beneath the viewpoint where we stood is thousands of years old and around 2.5 metres deep.

🌱 Botanical treasures grow here, such as the carnivorous round-leaved sundew and the bog pine.

It was a wonderfully refreshing walk in healthy fresh air that left us feeling recharged. If you’re ever passing through Nowy Targ, definitely make a detour here — it’s absolutely worth it. Here are a few photos. 📸