Magura National Park

Magura National Park (Magurski Park Narodowy; "mah-GOOR-skee") protects a quiet corner of the Low Beskids (Beskid Niski) in southeastern Poland: gentle forested ridges, streams with small waterfalls, valleys where Lemko villages once stood, and wooden Orthodox churches. If you are looking for mountain hiking without crowds — and a landscape shaped by a turbulent 20th-century history — this is one of Poland's best-kept secrets.

Where it is and how to get there

The park lies around the village of Krempna in the upper Wisłoka valley, mostly in Podkarpackie province, close to the Slovak border. Krempna is about 30 km (19 miles) south of Jasło; from Kraków it is roughly a 3-hour drive, and Rzeszów airport is about 2 hours away. Public transport is sparse, so a car is the practical choice. Park entrances with ticket agents are at Folusz, Żydowskie, Nieznajowa, Świątkowa Wielka and Huta Polańska.

Why it matters

The park was created by a decree of November 24, 1994 and has operated since January 1, 1995. It covers 194 km² (75 sq mi), over 90% of it forest, mainly beech. The highest point is Wątkowa (846 m / 2,776 ft) on the Magura Wątkowska ridge. The park acts as an ecological bridge between the Western and Eastern Carpathians and has some of Poland's highest densities of the lesser spotted eagle and the Ural owl. Bears, wolves, lynx and moose live here too.

Before World War II these valleys were home to the Lemkos, an Eastern Slavic highland people. After their deportations in the 1940s many villages vanished; what remains are church sites, wayside crosses and cemeteries. Wooden churches survive in Krempna, Kotań and Świątkowa, and the area is dotted with World War I military cemeteries from the battles of 1914–1915.

Things to do in Magura National Park

• Hike the Magura Wątkowska ridge to Wątkowa — part of Poland's long-distance Main Beskid Trail runs through the park.
• Magura Waterfall — cascades on a forest stream, one of the most photogenic spots.
• Diabli Kamień and Kornuty — sandstone tors and rock formations; Kornuty is a rock reserve.
• Nature trails such as Kiczera, Folusz and Hałbów–Kamień.
• Education and Museum Center in Krempna — an interactive exhibition on three levels and a 30-minute nature show.

How long to stay and when to go

Half a day covers the visitor center and a short trail; a full day lets you walk the main ridge. Only about 40,000 people visit each year, so trails are quiet even in summer. Spring and fall, when the beech forests change color, are the most beautiful. In winter (2026/27) the trails see few walkers, snow can be deep and days are short; strong winds are common in fall and winter, and local roads may be difficult — check conditions with the park before you go. Dogs are not allowed in strictly and actively protected areas.

Practical tips for hikers

Trails here are gentle, with no chains or exposed sections, which makes the park a good choice for families and first-time mountain walkers. There are no mountain huts or shops deep inside the park and phone coverage can be weak, so carry food, water and an offline map. After rain, forest tracks turn muddy — sturdy, waterproof boots help.

Tickets and opening hours

As of October 2026 (prices may change):

• Entry: paid only from May 1 to October 31 — day ticket 10 PLN (reduced 5 PLN), four-day pass 30 PLN (15 PLN). From November 1, entry is free.
• Free: children under 7.
• Where to buy: online on the park website, at the Krempna center, or from agents at the main entrances.
• Education and Museum Center (Krempna 59): in October Tuesday–Friday 7 a.m.–5 p.m., weekends 9 a.m.–5 p.m.; November 1–April 30 Tuesday–Friday 7 a.m.–3 p.m.; closed Mondays.
• Contact: Krempna 59, 38-232 Krempna; phone +48 13 441 40 99; email mpn@magurskipn.pl.

Is it worth visiting?

Yes, if you value solitude, birdlife and cultural history over big summits. Combine your hike with the UNESCO-listed wooden churches at Kwiatoń and Owczary in the nearby Gorlice district, part of the "Wooden Tserkvas of the Carpathian Region" World Heritage Site.