Babina Former Mine Geo-Trail in Łęknica

The Babina Former Mine Geo-Trail near Łęknica (pronounced "wenk-NEE-tsah") is a free forest trail past dozens of colorful lakes that formed in the pits of an old lignite mine on Poland's western border with Germany. It lies within the Muskau Arch, Poland's only UNESCO Global Geopark, shared with Germany. The star of the route is Lake Africa, named for its shape, best seen from a 40-meter wooden observation tower. It is one of the most photogenic and least-known day trips in western Poland.

Where it is and how to get there

Łęknica sits on the Lusatian Neisse River, directly across the border from the German town of Bad Muskau. The nearest big cities are Dresden and Berlin in Germany and Wrocław in Poland, each a two- to three-hour drive; Zielona Góra is about 1.5 hours away. You will need a car or a bike. Three free forest parking lots serve the trail: in Łęknica, in Nowe Czaple and on regional road 350 toward Przewoźniki.

Why are the lakes so colorful?

About 350,000 years ago, an advancing ice sheet bulldozed the ground into a horseshoe-shaped ridge some 40 km long, said to be the only terminal moraine on Earth visible from space. The ice pushed lignite (brown coal) seams to the surface, and they were mined from the early 19th century. Industrial mining of lignite and ceramic clay around Babina continued until about 1973. When the pumps stopped, the pits filled with water, creating lakes in shades from rusty red to emerald and turquoise, the colors reflecting the area's geology and mining past. The Polish and German sides were jointly certified as a geopark in 2011.

What to see on the trail

The forest service has laid out a network of about 10 km (6 miles) of paths with branches and a newer figure-eight loop; the classic route is around 5 km. Along the way there are information boards (mostly in Polish), viewpoints and benches.

• Lake Africa, the largest of the former mine lakes.
• The observation tower: wooden, 40 m (131 ft) high, with 144 steps to the platform. On clear days you may spot Śnieżka, the highest peak of the Karkonosze Mountains.
• Smaller pools in contrasting colors, best on sunny, windless days.

Practical tips

• Admission: free, including the tower and parking (as of October 2026).
• Opening hours: open 24/7, though foresters recommend visiting in daylight.
• Time needed: 1.5–2 hours for the short route; half a day for the full loop.
• Accessibility: gravel surface, passable for wheelchairs with help on slopes; accessible restroom by the tower.
• Swimming: the lakes are not designated swimming areas; diving is allowed in one lake for experienced divers only.
• Contact: Lipinki Forest District, +48 68 362 62 58, lipinki@zielonagora.lasy.gov.pl. Free guided tours for organized groups by reservation.

Bring water and sturdy shoes, as there are no shops on the trail.

Is it worth visiting?

Yes, especially if you are visiting the UNESCO-listed Muskau Park (Park Mużakowski), Prince Pückler's landscape garden on both sides of the border a few minutes away. Together they make an excellent full day.