Country: Poland
Area: 327 km²
Of which water: 59 %
Wide sandy beaches and mighty shifting dunes on narrow spits characterise the unique stretch of coast between Lebork (Lauenburg) and Słupsk (Stolp) in the Polish Pomeranian Voivodeship. It is not for nothing that the Slowinski National Park is also known as the Polish Sahara.
Shaped by waves, wind and sand
Here, the sand, which is first washed up by the waves and then carried on by the wind, has shaped the landscape. Former bays have been separated by narrow spits and transformed into coastal lakes rich in fish and birds. On the spits, it is in a constant battle with the plants. In some places, pine forests were able to prevail. In others, the sand prevailed and created majestic dunes, such as those of Łeba. The highest of them, Łacka Góra, rises more than 40 metres above the sea and moves ten metres further east every year. The shifting dunes relentlessly bury everything in their path. There are extensive hiking trails to the large lakes and on the dunes. Worth seeing are the lighthouse in Czołpino and the open-air museum in Kluki, which introduces visitors to the life and culture of the Slowinzen, the ethnic group that once colonised the inhospitable area and to whom the park owes its name.
Distance to the coast
Attention: For some years now, a two nautical mile wide restricted area has been marked on nautical charts along the coast of the park. A 0.3 nautical mile wide corridor has been established, which may be navigated. Anchoring is not permitted.
Travelling by boat
A good starting point for exploring the park is the Marina Łeba. Equipped with good sanitary facilities, a petrol station and restaurant, it is located on the quiet side of the lake canal away from the town. There is room for 120 boats on the floating jetties. Follow the lighted fairway to the harbour entrance. At night, approach in the white sector of the leading light (Dir.WRG.8m14-11M) on course 203. Enter the harbour channel after approx. 0.4 nautical miles to starboard. The current may be at right angles to the entrance. Siltation is possible. Watch out for passenger ships and fishermen.
General information on national parks
National parks are retreats for plants and animals where nature is left to its own devices. At the same time, they attract millions of visitors every year precisely because of their unspoilt nature. And that is the intention: As part of the conservation objectives, people should experience nature here and thus recognise its value and worthiness of protection - a constant balancing act between nature conservation and tourism. National parks are divided into two zones. The core zones may not be utilised commercially or in any other way; humans are not permitted to intervene here. Visitors may only enter the marked paths. There are also restricted areas on the water and rules for travelling, mooring and anchoring. In the other parts of the national parks, you can usually move around freely. This second zone is to be preserved in its existing form through special care and utilisation, such as grazing with sheep.
