Eastern Ecopark and Solne Bagno Salt Marsh (Kołobrzeg)

The Eastern Ecopark (Ekopark Wschodni) in Kołobrzeg is a protected stretch of coastal peat bogs between the town's spa district and the suburb of Podczele, crossed by one of the prettiest cycle paths on the Polish Baltic coast. At its heart lies Solne Bagno, a brackish “salt marsh” bog that attracts large numbers of birds. It is a great escape from the busy seafront promenade and an easy half-day outing on foot or by bike.

Where it is

Kołobrzeg (roughly “koh-WOB-zhek”) is a spa town on Poland's Baltic coast, about 230 km northeast of Berlin; the nearest airport is Szczecin-Goleniów, about 100 km away. The Ecopark begins on the eastern edge of town and runs along the shore toward Podczele, between the beach to the north and the road and railway to Koszalin to the south, taking in parts of Bagicz and Podczele.

What makes it special

The town declared the area an ecological site in 1996; it covers around 380 hectares and lies within the EU's Natura 2000 network. Its core, Solne Bagno (“salt bog”), is a hollow of brackish peatland with salt-tolerant plants – rare on this coast. It is part of the Ecopark, not a separate reserve. Nearby lie deposits of therapeutic peat used by Kołobrzeg's spa.

• Birds: about 80 species have been recorded, including red-necked grebes, bitterns, cranes, cormorants and herons; mute swans nest here, and migrating waders stop to feed.
• Plants: marsh helleborine orchids, saltmarsh rush, sea aster, round-leaved sundew and water lilies.
• Frogs: in spring, thousands of them call from the pools.

The site also shelters amphibians in its quiet pools and some impressively large old trees in its woodland patches. Polish sources list 5–6 breeding pairs of red-necked grebes in 2005 and the discovery of a tiny water beetle, Laccobius minutus, in 2015.

Who it is for

The flat, paved path suits families with children on bikes, birdwatchers and photographers, and spa guests looking for a longer walk outside the town. Strollers are manageable, though strong winds can blow sand onto the path.

The dune-top cycle path

The EuroVelo 10 / Velo Baltica route runs along the dune embankment between the sea and the bogs, with boardwalks and viewpoints. On March 24, 2010, meltwater trapped in the bogs broke through the dunes, tearing a gap about 55–60 m wide and destroying a wooden bridge; the outflow and path were later rebuilt with EU funds.

Tips for visiting

• Best in spring and autumn for bird migration; summer brings crowds of cyclists.
• Open year-round and free, with no opening hours. In winter it is windy – bring a warm layer and binoculars.
• Allow 1–2 hours on foot or about an hour by bike, and stay on paths and boardwalks – this is a protected area.

Getting there

From the eastern end of the seafront (around the Stone Redoubt and Fredry Park), follow the coastal path east for about 2–3 km to the viewpoints. The path continues to Podczele and Ustronie Morskie, with several beach access points along the way.