Bory Tucholskie National Park

Bory Tucholskie National Park (say "BOR-ih too-HOL-skyeh") protects the heart of the Tuchola Forest, one of the largest woodlands in Poland, in the Pomeranian region near the town of Chojnice. It is a quiet, flat landscape of pine forest, 21 glacial lakes, peat bogs and inland dunes, linked by a stream that threads seven lakes together. If you like gentle hiking, cycling and crystal-clear water without crowds, it is well worth the trip: only around 33,000 people visit each year.

Where it is and why it matters

The park lies in northern Poland, roughly two hours by car southwest of Gdańsk, and about 3 km from Chojnice, the nearest town with a rail station. It was created in 1996 and covers 4,613 hectares (about 11,400 acres), with forest on nearly 83% of its area. It forms the core of the Tuchola Forest Biosphere Reserve, recognized in 2010 under UNESCO's Man and the Biosphere program. That is a nature designation; it is not a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

What makes the park special is its water. Several of its lakes are so-called lobelia lakes: nutrient-poor, very clear lakes where rare plants such as water lobelia and quillwort grow on the sandy bottom. Lake Ostrowite, at 272 hectares, is the largest and deepest. The park's logo shows a capercaillie, a large forest grouse that no longer lives here; the last one was probably shot in the 1970s.

Top things to do in Bory Tucholskie National Park

• Walk along the Struga Siedmiu Jezior ("Seven Lakes Stream"), a 13.9 km waterway that links seven lakes and empties into Lake Charzykowskie at the hamlet of Bachorze.
• Visit the "Bartuś" oak, a protected tree on the shore of Lake Płęsno, estimated at about 600 years old.
• Stand on the heart-shaped boardwalk at Lake Wielkie Gacno and look down through the clear water.
• Explore the Lipnicki Loop, a former peat-cutting site now slowly turning back into bog, crossed by a wooden walkway.
• Take in the viewpoint over Lake Charzykowskie at Bachorze.
• See the nature museum at the Nature Education Center in Chociński Młyn, with displays on bogs, forests, bats, birds and lakes.

Trails, timing and the rules

You may only walk, cycle or (with snow) cross-country ski on marked trails and educational paths, from dawn to dusk. Leaving the trails is not allowed, so forget about foraging deep in the woods. There are about 45 km of hiking trails and three main nature paths of roughly 5–6 km, each taking around three hours:

• "Piła Młyn" (blue): Bachorze to Małe Swornegacie via the Napoleon Cross replica and the Bartuś oak.
• "Around Lobelia Lake Wielkie Gacno" (green): Bachorze to Funka over an inland dune.
• "Łąki Józefowskie" (red): a loop from the parking area near Klosnowo.

Plan half a day for one path, or a full day to combine the stream, the oak and Wielkie Gacno. Important: swimming, sailing and water sports are banned in the park, so its lakes are not a kayaking destination, and dogs are not allowed except on the Bachorze–Owink road and at the Bachorze boat mooring. No campfires and no camping.

Tickets and opening hours

As of October 2026 (prices may change), entry costs 6 PLN per day (under US$2) or 3 PLN reduced; a 7-day ticket is 30 PLN / 15 PLN. Children under 7 enter free. Tickets are sold at the Nature Education Center in Chociński Młyn on weekdays (8 am–3 pm), or you can pay by bank transfer to the park's account and carry the confirmation. Some areas, such as the Bachorze viewpoint and the bike route Kaszubska Marszruta, need no ticket.

The museum is free but must be booked: weekday entries at 9:00, 10:30, 12:00 and 13:30, with extra Saturday slots from June. Groups are capped at 15.

Getting there

From Gdańsk, the drive to Chojnice and neighboring Charzykowy (park headquarters, ul. Długa 33) takes around two hours. Chojnice has train connections, and Bachorze, where the main nature path starts, has a bus terminus. The park has five free parking areas: near Klosnowo, two at Bachorze, at the mouth of the Seven Lakes Stream and at the viewpoint.

Best time to visit and winter tips

Late spring to early fall is ideal for bog flowers, dragonflies and long days. The park stays open all winter, and when there is enough snow in winter 2026/27 you can cross-country ski the trails. Days are short and forest paths are unlit, so start early, and never walk on the frozen lakes: there are no marked ice routes. Nearby Lake Charzykowskie and the town of Chojnice round out a weekend.