The best hiking routes in Biebrzański Park Narodowy

Biebrzański Park Narodowy is defined by its vast, flat peatlands and the natural floodplains of the Biebrza River. Unlike forested parks, this area consists largely of open sedge marshes, wet meadows, and dense reed beds, broken occasionally by low birch and alder woods. The landscape is flat, offering wide, low-lying perspectives rather than hills or deep valleys. Walking here means navigating a terrain shaped entirely by water levels, where the transition from dry mineral islands to saturated peat dictates where you can step.

Underfoot, the trails vary significantly depending on your choice of path. The wettest sections of the marsh are accessible only via wooden boardwalks, which are essential for crossing the peat bogs without sinking. Away from the boardwalks, the routes follow sandy tracks along the river terraces or dry dunes that rise slightly above the floodplains. These sandy stretches can be loose and slow to walk on, contrasting sharply with the firm wood of the marsh crossings.

In spring, particularly around April, the river regularly overflows, turning the meadows into shallow lakes and restricting access to the elevated embankments and boardwalks. By late summer, the water recedes, revealing dry mud and dense vegetation. The park is highly suited for those who appreciate quiet, slow-paced walking through marshland, but it requires preparation for wet ground and basic, sometimes rough, trail conditions.