Nature reserve Łężczok, Nature reserve in Racibórz, Poland.
Nature reserve Łężczok covers a valley area containing eight connected fish ponds surrounded by dense forests of various types. The reserve encompasses different ecosystems including wetland areas, forest edges, and water habitats that blend together across the landscape.
The eight ponds were built between the 14th and 15th centuries by Cistercian monks who shaped the valley's water management system. Official protection came later, beginning with conservation status in 1922 and formalized as a nature reserve in 1957.
The eight fish ponds remain working landscapes where traditional farming methods shape how water and land interact. These ponds have become central to how locals and visitors understand the valley's connection to nature and its past.
Two hiking trails and one bicycle path are clearly marked throughout the area, making navigation straightforward for most visitors. Wear sturdy shoes since some paths can be muddy or wet depending on the season and recent weather.
The ponds and forests here support an extraordinary concentration of bird species that you would struggle to find elsewhere in the region. This draws serious birdwatchers who return repeatedly to track seasonal changes and rare sightings.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
