Gierzyna Ponds

Gierzyna is a group of small woodland ponds in Miasteczko Śląskie, protected as an ecological site (użytek ekologiczny) since 2010. Its five shallow pools formed in old sand pits, and today they are a refuge for rare aquatic plants and amphibians in one of the most industrialised parts of Upper Silesia.

The Gierzyna ecological site

Protection was established by the Miasteczko Śląskie town council in a resolution of 29 September 2010. The site covers about 3.1 ha and takes in five oligotrophic pools, meaning poor in nutrients, together with the vegetation along their banks. According to the municipal regeneration programme, rare and protected species of aquatic and marsh plants grow here, and the water and its surroundings support a rich population of amphibians and invertebrates. The municipality also points to problems: illegal vehicle access, litter and pools gradually becoming overgrown, which is why it plans nature trails and information boards here by 2032. Right next to the boundary of the site lies the Zandka fishing pond, an artificial pond of about 1.1 ha used by anglers from the local branch of the Polish Angling Association (PZW).

A shelter for cyclists

In June 2024 the town opened a tourist shelter by the Gierzyna pond, intended as a resting point for cyclists and walkers. Beyond that, the area remains quiet and wooded, with no cafés or rental outlets.

Tripto tips

• Gierzyna lies within Miasteczko Śląskie, by the street of the same name. The nicest way to arrive is by bike along forest tracks. The town promotes the Leśno Rajza cycle route in the area, but its waymarking in the forest can be patchy, so bring navigation.
• An hour is enough for a walk around the ponds and a rest at the shelter. It is quietest early in the morning, when you are more likely to hear frogs and spot birds along the banks.
• This is a protected area: do not drive down to the water, do not light fires outside designated spots, and take your rubbish with you. Amphibians are easiest to see in spring, so watch your step on paths and tracks near the ponds then.