Zielony Las Forest in Żary

At the southern edge of Żary, off Komuny Paryskiej Street, you enter a hilly complex where valleys, ravines, small lakes and bogs form a landscape rare within the limits of Polish towns. Zielony Las, lying in the Crown of the Żary Hills, serves as the town’s walking forest and has something to its credit that not many mountain resorts can boast: three viewing towers.

Three towers, one forest

The oldest is the brick tower from the 19th century, called Promnitza — it is open to everyone, and a viewing terrace awaits at its top. The stone Bismarck tower from the 20th century was built as a tourist site with a lookout point, but today it is fenced off and inaccessible. The third was built of steel: it is the fire watchtower offering the best views in the whole complex, climbed only with the permission of the worker staying on it.

A network of trails through Arkadia

Numerous tourist routes and paths cross the forest, including the Nordic Walking Trail through Arkadia. Hills, valleys and ravines mean that a quiet walk can turn into a short fitness workout, and the small lakes and bogs draw the attention of nature lovers. The area is open around the clock, all year round, and admission is free.

In practice

You reach the forest from the centre of Żary via Komuny Paryskiej Street. After your walk, see the Żary collegiate church (4.5 km), and for the next day plan Żagań with the Ducal Palace (13.3 km) or the more distant Muskau Park inscribed on the UNESCO list (28.4 km).