Barlinek Landscape Park

Barlinek Landscape Park lies on the border of the West Pomeranian and Lubusz voivodeships and is the youngest landscape park in the region. The area has been protected since the early 1990s, while the park in its present form was established by a resolution of 21 September 2020. It covers 11,694.29 ha, and its buffer zone 18,809.48 ha.

Forest, lakes and the Płonia Valley

The park includes part of the Barlinek Forest, a large forest complex on an outwash plain. In the central part lies the post-glacial Lake Barlinek, the largest lake of the former park (268 ha). Around it the Adventure Trail was created, telling the story of the Queen of the Barlinek Forest.

The Płonia Valley, from Żydowo through Niepołcko to Laskówko, is called the Barlinek Bieszczady because the hills here rise to over 100 m above sea level. In the Skalisty Jar Libberta reserve, closed to visitors, devils and witches are said in legend to have made their home. The Markowe Błota reserve covers 193.4 ha.

Trails and historic sites

The Oak Trail leads from Krzynka through the area around Okunie, the Dzika Łąka meadow and the Matecznik Światowida, and information boards tell of 300-year-old oaks. Barlinek also has a Nordic walking centre: 54 km of marked routes, six of which run within the park.

Among historic sites the park points to the Paper Mill (Młyn Papiernia), open to visitors, the 18th-century manor house in Niepołcko and the Jewish cemetery in Barlinek.

The history of the town is shown by the Regional Museum in Barlinek.

Practical information

• Tourist Information Point: Barlinek, Paderewskiego 7.
• The park is managed by the Complex of Landscape Parks of the West Pomeranian Voivodeship (Szczecin, Kopalniana 2, zpkwz.pl).
• Check the route of the trails and the rules for entering the reserves with the manager before setting out.