Bażantarnia Forest Park, Elbląg

Bażantarnia in Elbląg (roughly "ba-zhan-TAR-nya," meaning "pheasantry") is a historic forest park of 369 hectares (about 910 acres) inside the city limits, on the edge of the Elbląg Upland. Deep ravines, streams and beech-covered hills earned it the local nickname "the Bieszczady of the North," after Poland's wild southeastern mountains. It is one of the city's official top-five attractions and the best place in Elbląg for hiking, trail running and mountain biking.

Where it is

Elbląg lies in northern Poland, about 60 km (an hour's drive) southeast of Gdańsk on the S7 expressway, with Gdańsk airport the nearest international gateway. Bażantarnia sits on the city's eastern edge, about 3–4 km from the Old Town; you can drive, cycle (the long-distance Green Velo bike route passes nearby) or take a city bus. The most convenient starting point is near the Restauracja Myśliwska (Hunter's Restaurant).

From Vogelsang to Bażantarnia

When Elbląg was the German city of Elbing, this forest was known as Vogelsang ("birdsong") and was already a favorite outing in the early 18th century. In 1810–1811 August Abbeg built an inn here, which still operates as the Hunter's Restaurant. The area became part of the city in 1913, and the city added a concert shell, a pavilion known as the "Umbrella" and the Bismarck Tower lookout, demolished after World War II. Polish settlers who arrived after 1945 renamed the forest Bażantarnia after its many pheasants. Since 1995 the park has been a listed historic site.

Things to do

• Walk the Silver Stream valley (Srebrny Potok) to the Devil's Stone, a granite glacial boulder about 11.5 m around, lying in the streambed; legend says the devil dropped it.
• Follow the Kumiela valley, once home to seven water mills. The surviving mill ran until the 1970s and is now part of a hotel.
• Look for natural monuments: old oaks, beeches and white poplars, plus giant horsetails up to 2 m tall.
• Climb Chrobry Hill for views that, on a clear day, reach the Vistula Lagoon.

Marked hiking trails include the red Copernicus Trail (4.5 km), the blue Circular Trail (3.6 or 6.4 km), the green Lizard Path (7 km) and the yellow Loop Trail (9 km). Expect roe deer, wild boar, foxes and plenty of birdlife. Note that the ski lift on Chrobry Hill has been out of service since 2019 and was dismantled, so ignore older mentions of downhill skiing; with enough snow, the forest roads are used for cross-country skiing.

Practical tips

Bażantarnia is free and open around the clock. A walk to the Devil's Stone takes about 1.5 hours; a longer loop around 3 hours. Dogs on a leash are welcome. Paths are hilly and uneven in places, so strollers will manage only the main avenues. Spring, with fresh beech leaves, and fall foliage are the most beautiful seasons. In winter 2026/27 (as of October 2026), keep the short daylight hours and slippery slopes in mind and wear proper shoes.

Is it worth visiting?

Yes, if you want a break from sightseeing: few Polish cities have such hilly, wild-feeling forest within their boundaries. Combine it with the Old Town, or continue east into the Elbląg Upland Landscape Park and on toward the Vistula Lagoon coast at Tolkmicko, Kadyny and Frombork.