|
Babia Góra National Park
|
Babia Góra National Park, located in Southern Poland (region of Małopolska), borders with Slovak Republic and is spread across northern and southern slopes of Babia Góra mountain group with the highest peak of Beskid Wysoki range, Diablak or Mt Devil (1725 m).
In 1997, UNESCO included the Park into the group of World Biosphere Reserves and in its Man and Biosphere programme.
Geological Facts
The crest of Babia Góra group slightly rises and falls, forming a series of hardly distinguished peaks built of sedimentary rocks, pushed up during the Tertiary period and called Carpathian flysch. Layers of sandstone typical for Magura region are interspersed with marls, shales and silts; their structure is well displayed on naked northern slopes of Mt Babia Góra, which were formed in the result of huge landslides.
Plant Life
Photo: J.Omylak www.bgpn.pl
The Park is the only place in Poland where visitors can find such species as laserwort Laserpitium archangelica (which has been placed in Park logo) and alpine cerastium. Babia Góra mountain group is a model example for zoned structure of mountain vegetation. In spite of hard climate and poor soil, the region is known for amazingly rich variety of plant species.
The lower mountain forest zone (700-1150 m) is dominated by robust Carpathian beech trees; firs, beeches and spruces there can reach 40 m in height and exceed 3,5 m in perimeter and are truly unique, as they create primeval forest which has never been commercially exploited.
The upper mountain forest zone, ranging between 1150 and 1350 m is the kingdom of tall, soaring and thick spruces. Above them, hikers encounter Carpathian dwarf pine clusters interspersed with rowan trees and herbal beds. Thick dwarf pine belt, spreading from 1391 through 1650 m is cut though by waste rock, and the steepest slopes are the home of multi-colour fescue (Festuca versicolor) which is an endemic plant group in Babia Góra.
Animal Life
The Park has more than 105 species of birds, including long eared owl, Ural owl, eagle owl, various woodpeckers, alpine accentor and rock pipit. Capercailles have become a rarity in recent years. Among common mammals are deer, while lynx, wolves, bears and small arboreal rodents: forest dormouse, common dormouse and garden dormouse are less commonly met.
Local History and Tourism
The folklore of the region of Babia Góra is quite distinct, with many local traditions, maintained and developed by residents. Many examples of traditional architecture can be admired in direct neighbourhood of the park, both in the south and in the north. Since the beginnings of the 20th century, the Babia Góra group has been visited by tourists. A mountain house at Markowe Szczawiny, built in 1906, is still in operation. Tourist traffic in the Park is allowed from dawn till nightfall. The most attractive place in the Park is Mt Diablak, the peak of Babia Góra which towers over neighbouring mountains, exceeding them by some hundred metres in height. The peak offers excellent panorama of Kraków, Lower Tatra Mountains and Polish Tatra Mountains.
Babia Góra Park Education Centre presents a natural history exhibition and a Garden of Babia Góra Plants.
Where is National Park of Babia Góra
Wyświetl większą mapę
Sources:
National Park of Babia Gora www.bgpn.pl
E-mail: park@bgpn.pl
Address:
Zawoja 1403
34-223 Zawoja
Telephone
0048 (0-33) 877 51 10 or 877 51 24
fax: (0-33) 877 55 54
Polish Tourism Organistion www.poland-tourism.pl