Nature

Krzywy Las koło Gryfina

The Crooked Forest near Gryfino is a small group of about one hundred Scots pines whose trunks bend into broad arcs close to the ground. The site lies in Nowe Czarnowo, about 4 km from Gryfino and near the Dolna Odra Power Plant. The trees form a protected natural monument and are one of West Pomerania’s most distinctive natural sights. It is a short, unusual stop for travellers coming from Szczecin, Gryfino or the Lower Oder Valley.

What makes the forest unusual

The pines were most likely planted around 1934. Their trunks first grow almost horizontally before curving upwards, and the bends point north. Straight pines grow around the grove, making the contrast easy to see. The trees show signs of mechanical damage, but the exact purpose and method behind the shaping have never been conclusively established. The idea that the wood was prepared for bent furniture or sled components remains a hypothesis, not a confirmed explanation.

Planning a visit

The Crooked Forest is not a museum or a ticketed park but a protected part of the woodland. From Gryfino, drive towards Nowe Czarnowo and the Dolna Odra Power Plant; the final approach includes an unpaved section and a short walk. Check current signs and ground conditions before setting out. Do not climb or touch the trees, and stay on the indicated approach to protect the ageing trunks. The visit is a short walk that can be combined with Gryfino and the Lower Oder landscape.