Świętokrzyski National Park, National park in Świętokrzyskie Mountains, Poland
Świętokrzyski National Park spreads across the Łysogóry range, where peaks such as Łysica reach 614 meters (2,014 feet) and Łysa Góra rises to 595 meters (1,952 feet), both covered in extensive fir and beech forests. The slopes are crossed by walking trails that pass through different vegetation zones and connect natural and human-made landmarks.
The reserve was established in 1950 to protect the mountain forests and the medieval religious site on Święty Krzyż. The 12th-century Benedictine monastery on the summit housed monks who wrote some of the earliest Polish texts.
The forests throughout the reserve have served local craftspeople for centuries, with traces of their traditions still visible in regional museums. Hikers today walk routes once used by pilgrims climbing toward the monastery-topped summit.
Marked trails remain open throughout the year, though some sections may become slippery in winter. Visitors should wear sturdy footwear and bring enough water, as routes pass through sparsely populated forest areas.
The gołoborza, rocky boulder fields of plant-free quartzite blocks, date back to the Cambrian period and provide evidence of glacial processes. Their barren appearance contrasts sharply with the surrounding dense forest cover and attracts geologists from many countries.
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