Echo Ponds (Stawy Echo)

The Echo Ponds (Stawy Echo, say "STAH-vih EH-ho") in Zwierzyniec are the most visited spot in Roztocze National Park in eastern Poland: four shallow ponds framed by pine forest and sand dunes, with a wooden viewing platform, boardwalks, a summer beach and konik horses grazing on the dikes. They lie about 1 km from the historic center of Zwierzyniec, a short, stroller-friendly walk from the park's museum, and about 30 km from Zamość.

History of the Echo Ponds

The ponds were created between 1929 and 1934 on the wetlands of the Świerszcz stream valley, once known as the "Great Marsh," and were enlarged during World War II. They quickly became a summer playground for locals, residents of nearby Zamość, scout camps and vacationers.

Until 2002 there were nine ponds; after restoration and re-naturalization, four remain, covering about 40 hectares and echoing the original interwar layout. Heavy use took its toll: on hot days thousands of people crowded the beach, eroding the dune and pushing back the forest edge. The park closed the boat rental, fenced off parts of the dune and built a viewing platform and anti-erosion boardwalks, renovated in 2021.

What you'll see

• A viewing platform and boardwalks on the dune slope, accessible for wheelchair users.
• Konik horses, often grazing on the grassy dikes. They belong to the "Ostoja" reserve breeding program, running since 1982 on 180 ha of the Świerszcz valley. Koniks descend from the tarpan, the wild horse of eastern Europe.
• Waterbirds, plus active protection for amphibians.
• A beach and designated swimming area on the largest pond, open in summer under the park's bathing rules.

The ponds are only about 0.5 to 1.5 m deep and are fed by the Świerszcz stream, which rises in a strictly protected bog.

How to get to the Echo Ponds

• The Echo Ponds path (black): 1.2 km, about 30 minutes, starting in old Zwierzyniec by a brewery dating from 1806 and passing the park headquarters and museum.
• The dune path (blue): 1.7 km, about 30 minutes, from the museum along the Świerszcz valley and over a boardwalk on the dune crest.

Both paths are free, but dogs are not allowed. Allow 1.5 to 2 hours for the walk and some horse-watching.

Practical information (as of October 2026)

• Entry: free. Park fees apply only to the Bukowa Góra trail and the Florianka bike route.
• Parking at the ponds: 5 PLN per hour from April to October; free for vehicles with a disabled parking card. Paid restroom (2 PLN).
• Museum parking: 4 PLN per hour year-round, card payment only at present.
• By train: Zwierzyniec has a station; walk to the town center and follow the path.

Visiting in winter

Around the turn of October and November the ponds are drained, and they are refilled in early spring. In winter 2026/27 you will therefore see exposed pond beds and meadows rather than open water. The konik horses stay in the reserve all year and are given extra feed in winter. When there is snow, the paths are also open to cross-country skiers. Swimming is a summer-only option.

Nearby

Combine the walk with the multimedia exhibition at the park's Education and Museum Center, Zwierzyniec's Baroque church on an island, the Bukowa Góra beech-forest trail or a bike ride to Florianka.