Elbląg Upland Landscape Park

The Elbląg Upland Landscape Park (Park Krajobrazowy Wysoczyzny Elbląskiej) protects more than 130 km² of beech forest, deep ravines and streams between the city of Elbląg and the Vistula Lagoon in northern Poland. The upland rises steeply above the flat delta plain and the lagoon, so parts of it feel almost like foothills, complete with mountain plants. The park also takes in the former imperial village of Kadyny and the scenic road to Frombork, making it the best area near Elbląg for hiking, cycling and fall colors.

Where it is and how to get there

The park starts on the northern edge of Elbląg, about 60 km (an hour by car) southeast of Gdańsk via the S7 expressway; Gdańsk Airport (GDN) is the nearest international airport, and Elbląg has a railway station. The most scenic way in is regional road 503, which runs from Elbląg along the lagoon through Kadyny and Tolkmicko to Frombork. A car or bike gives you the most freedom; the long-distance Green Velo cycling route crosses the upland.

What makes it special

The park was created on April 26, 1985 and covers about 13,417 hectares in the city of Elbląg and the surrounding rural districts. Its highest point is Góra Srebrna (198.5 m). In the Elbląg Upland Beeches reserve, differences in elevation reach 60 m, and steep slopes are cut by stream valleys.

That terrain allows mountain species to grow here, unusual this far north, along with ostrich fern and martagon lily. Red deer, edible dormice and raccoon dogs live in the forests, and you may spot white-tailed eagles, honey buzzards, cranes and lesser spotted eagles overhead.

Things to see and do

• Nature reserves: Buki Wysoczyzny Elbląskiej (beech forest protected since 1961), Kadyński Las, Dolina Stradanki and Nowinka.
• Kadyny – Kaiser Wilhelm II's former estate, with a palace, a Franciscan monastery and the Bażyński Oak, one of Poland's oldest trees.
• Natural monuments – the park counts several hundred, mostly huge oaks and beeches, plus glacial boulders such as the Devil's Stone in Elbląg's Bażantarnia forest park.
• Jelenia Dolina in Elbląg – a lake with picnic shelters on the Green Velo route.

Marked trails include the "Kadyński Las" trail (about 1.5 km) from the Bażyński Oak through a reserve to a monastery and a lookout tower over the lagoon, and a nature-and-history trail in Bażantarnia. The free "Kraina Buka" app (Polish) has an interactive map and outdoor games.

Practical information (as of October 2026)

• Admission: free; the area is open year-round. Stay on marked paths in the nature reserves.
• Best time: May for fresh beech leaves, October for fall colors. In winter, ravine paths can be steep and slippery.
• Time needed: half a day for Kadyny and the trail, a full day by bike.
• Park office: ul. Bohaterów Westerplatte 18, Elbląg, Monday–Friday 7:30 am–3:30 pm; phone +48 55 611 45 90.

Is it worth visiting? If you like quiet forests and are already visiting Elbląg, Frombork or the Elbląg Canal, yes: few visitors from abroad know this corner of Poland.

Nearby

• Elbląg – rebuilt Old Town and St. Nicholas Cathedral.
• Frombork – Cathedral Hill and the tomb of Nicolaus Copernicus.
• Elbląg Canal – boats riding over grassy hills (seasonal, late April to early October).