May long weekend is just around the corner. Use the time off work to get more physically active, especially if you spend most of your working days sitting behind a desk. What activity is worth your free time? Our pick is... trekking! Admittedly, it’s not a physical pastime for everyone: to go for long treks, you need to be reasonably fit. However, if you exercise regularly, you’ll definitely be able to handle medium-difficulty trails. Let’s start with a basic question.
What actually is trekking?
Many people associate trekking with walking for many hours along mountain trails. However, the definition is not entirely correct. Trekking is not all about conquering peaks. It refers to hiking along routes stretching across scenic terrain, which provides a more immersive experience than a ‘normal’ outdoor walk through forests or fields. Usually, treks are longer in duration than typical hikes, and may even take a few days. Another important factor is natural terrain. Preferably, treks should be planned along more challenging routes. Even if the terrain is all flat.
Trekking is a unique form of tourism, which is why some travel agencies specialize in this market. If you’re new to trekking, it might be a good idea to book a trekking tour package. The organizers usually provide a guide to lead you along the trail safely and provide tips on the required gear or managing the accommodation.
However, if you can read the trail signs and prepare well for your trek, you can easily organize a trekking trip during the May long weekend on your own. You’ll need proper footwear (ask for trekking boots in any sports shop) and comfortable clothes to protect you from the rain, wind, sun, and other elements. Other aspects to consider include food and accommodation. Make sure to plan your trekking route appropriately, so that you’ll get to a shelter or campsite down the trail at the right time.
A well-organized trek feels like a real holiday adventure and provides a great opportunity to commune with nature in a completely new, deep and thoughtful way. In addition, trekking is a perfect test of your physical and mental strength.
What is the best trekking destination for the May long weekend?
Do you really need to go all the way across the country to experience the fun and thrill of trekking? Absolutely not! You can find fantastic hiking and trekking trails practically in every corner of Poland. We’ve picked just a few of them to show you that trekking can be done both in the north – rediscovering the beauty of the Baltic Sea – and in the primeval forest of Białowieża, the scenic areas of western Poland or, most traditionally, in the mountains.
Heading North - along the coastline
As noted in the lyrics of a famous song: “wild beaches are now gone”. Are they really? You’d better check it out for yourself! The scenic Coastal Trail stretches along nearly 400 kilometers from Świnoujście to Żarnowiec. The area features two remarkable National Parks and scenic lighthouses, and poses a real challenge to trekkers. If you don’t feel up to it – or you don’t want to spend the entire long weekend ‘en route’ – you can always pick one interesting section, such as the Łeba-Żarnowiec Trail, less than 60 kilometers long, recommended by the Polish Tourist and Sightseeing Society (PTTK).
Heading East - take a hike in a pristine forest
... head for Białowieża – the most unique forest complex in this part of Europe. The most popular trails in the Białowieża Forest, such as the “Wolf Trail” or the “European Bison Trail”, take one day to complete. Fortunately, you can also easily chart out routes for intense multi-day treks, running through virgin forests, marshy areas, remains of an old narrow-gauge railway or wildlife sanctuaries.
However, if you’re up for a longer hike and exploring the rich culture of the Podlasie region on the way, we recommend the Tatar Trail. It consists of nearly 60 kilometers of enchanting roads, offering trekkers an opportunity to take a close look at historic mosques and old cemeteries, and even have lunch in a Tatar yurt.
Heading South - on a mountain trail
How about dropping everything and going for a trek in the mountains? Once there, you may opt for a real gem among Poland’s trekking trails – the Main Beskid Trail mapped out by Kazimierz Sosnowski. It stretches along a length of over 500 kilometers from the Silesian Beskids as far as the Bieszczady Mountains. The history of this iconic trail began a century ago and it still enjoys unrivaled popularity among tourists.
However, because of multiple ascents and descents, as well as the impressive distance, even seasoned trekkers need a whole vacation to complete the Main Beskid Trail, rather than just a few days during the May long weekend. So if you can’t extend your long weekend by a few extra days, we suggest you opt for the Bieszczady part of the Trail rather than the whole route. Trekking along the 30-kilometer trail, you’ll experience the region’s most fabulous scenery: beautiful forests, picturesque mountain lakes, traces of a turbulent history, and architectural gems.
Heading Center - a stone’s throw away from the capital city
Warsaw’s residents can count themselves lucky: they can reach a charming forest trail in virtually no time at all by using public transport. The Blue Hiking Trail stretches along nearly 50 kilometers from the village of Kampinos as far as Dąbrowa Leśna. Along the way, you can admire not only amazing natural scenery – including enchanting Kampinos marshes – but also examples of unique Mazovian architecture: from old churches to stately palaces.
A little farther, but still within a convenient distance from the heart of the country, you’ll find the Main Świętokrzyski Trail covering a distance of over 100 kilometers. Impressively, the wonders of architecture are as abundant here as treasures of nature. The Jeleniowski Landscape Park and the Świętokrzyski National Park along with the famous Holy Cross sanctuary... – this is just a small selection of the attractions that will reward the effort of determined trekkers.
Heading West - discover the beauty of the Lubuskie region
‘Trzciel’ and ‘Pszczew’ may not be the easiest geographical names to pronounce, but they offer a great opportunity for an adventure in the west of Poland. The trail winds across the Pszczew Landscape Park, giving trekkers an in-depth experience of this unique region. Despite being relatively short (‘barely’ 36 kilometers in length), the hike is blessed with a wealth of natural wonders: lakes, marshlands, dunes, and predatory bird habitats. While you’re en-route, you’ll also see the scenic remains of an ancient Lusatian settlement.
As you can see, you don’t need to go abroad (in fact, you don’t even have to leave your region!) to enjoy thrilling trekking adventures. Interesting trekking trails can be found in every area, so the only thing that may stop you in your tracks is... inadequate physical fitness. Trekking is a challenging physical activity, so it’s best to prepare for it well in advance. You can say that every trekking adventure begins... in your local gym. Our advice is: take advantage of the multitude of activities available with your MultiSport card, get yourself in shape, and set out on a trek to explore Poland’s most authentic attractions. Have a great hike!