WEH Kanton

WEH Kanton © 2008
Fri, 21 Nov 2008 17:57:11 +0800
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Puszcza Piska

Kayaking on Krutynia River

View on a lake

Covering 86,000 hectares, Puszcza Piska (the Pisz Forest) is the biggest forest in Masuria and one of the biggest in Poland. Pine woods on outwash sands, forest lakes dotted with islands, charming spots in river bends, all contribute to the haunting beauty of Masuria. There are also larger tourist centres here, offering excellent facilities for both hikers and boaters. The forest is ideal for walking, biking and kayaking trips on which you can explore the picturesque Krutynia River or Lakes Śniardwy, Nidzkie, and Bełdany. Part of the forest is protected by the Masuria Natural Landscape Park (53,600 ha) established in 1977. The most valuable reserve is Lake Luknajno, which is a breeding ground for the mute swan. However, the emblem of the Park is the white stork, whose nests can be found in many villages. Another attraction in the forest is its patchwork of scenic lakes, notably Lake Beldany and Lake Nidzkie. Their troughs, connected via a string of smaller lakes, make up a 37.5 km stretch of water, considered by many to be the most beautiful part of the whole Land of the Great Masurian Lakes. Another reserve in this area is the Krutynia River, which winds its way through the forest. The most popular canoeing course in Poland is the Masurian Krutynia Route. The river is almost 100 km long and flows through many scenic lakes. The Krutynia is a relatively easy route, a favoutrite for its charm. You can follow the whole route or just try a section - your journey could take anything from a couple of hours up to 10 days. It's true to say it's a heavily commercialised route - every other building is a canoe hire outlet, an inn, an overnight stopping place or a shop. But there are also uninhabited areas here, some say the most enchanting corners of Masuria.