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OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES |
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For a growing number of visitors, it's the wide range of outdoor
pursuits Poland has to offer, as well as its better-known cultural and
architectural attractions, that constitute the country's chief lure.
Most obvious of these are the hiking opportunities provided by the
extensive national (and regional) parks, several of which incorporate
authentic wilderness areas of great beauty.
Equally attractive for skiers are the slopes of the Tatra mountains -
long the country's most developed, but by no means its only, ski resort
area. Lakes and rivers offer generous opportunities for water-based
activities. Riding enthusiasts will find plenty of scope for pursuing a
pastime that remains a favourite among wealthier Poles, while anglers
can sample Poland's significant collection of pristine fishing areas,
notably in the outlying eastern regions of the country.
Hiking
Poland has some of the best hiking country in Europe, specifically in
the sixteen areas designated as national parks and in the mountainous
regions on the country's southern and western borders. There's a full
network of marked trails , the best of which are detailed in the Guide.
Many of these take several days, passing through remote areas served by
schroniska (refuges). However, much of the best scenery can be seen by
covering sections of these routes on one-day walks.
Unless you're in the High Tatras, few of the one-day trails are
especially strenuous and, although specialist footwear is recommended,
well-worn-in sturdy shoes are usually enough.
Skiing
Poland's mountainous southern rim provides some good skiing
opportunities, seized on, in season, by what can often seem like the
country's entire population. The best and not surprisingly, most popular
ski slopes are in the Tatras, the highest section of the Polish
Carpathians, where the skiing season runs from December through into
March.
Although still in the shadow of the Alps and other well-known European
resorts, Zakopane, the resort centre of the Tatras , has acquired a
strong and growing international following, not least in the UK, where a
variety of travel operators specialize in cheap, popular skiing packages.
Though the skiing facilities in and around Zakopane may still leave a
little to be desired, both in volume and quality, they have improved
consider ably over the last few years, not least in the provision of
ski-lifts. Certainly, you shouldn't have any problems renting skiing
gear in Zakopane itself.
Less dramatic alternatives to the Tatras include: the Beskid Sudety ,
notably the resorts at Karpacz and Szklarska Poreba; the Beskid Slaski
resort of Szczyrk; and the Bieszczady (a favourite with cross-country
skiers). One great advantage with all these is that they are relatively
unknown outside Poland, although, consequently, facilities are fairly
undeveloped - usually involving a single ski lift and a limited range of
descents. As yet relatively free from package hotels, these smaller
resorts are perhaps better suited to individual tourists than Zakopane,
which can be jam-packed with groups from late December to the end of
March.
Kayaking, sailing and windsurfing
Large stretches of lowland Poland are dotted with lakes, especially
Mazuria in the northeast of the country, and it's relatively easy for
travellers to rent a variety of water craft - from simple kayaks to
luxury yachts - once they arrive. Most people content themselves with a
day or two on the water, although the number of navigable waterways in
Mazuria ensures there's a host of lengthy canoeing and kayaking
itineraries to choose from, often involving overnight stops at campsites
or hostels en route. The most popular of these are the nine-day traverse
of the Mazurian lakes, and the 3-day journey down the Czarna Hancza
river. Well-equipped marinas at Mikolajki, Gizycko and Ruciane-Nida are
packed with sailing folk in the summer months. Simple sailing boats are
easy enough to rent at these places; although at least one member of
your party will have to have sailing experience if you want to rent out
a bigger craft.
Given the short duration of the Baltic summer, Poland's northern coast
doesn't offer the kind of water sports opportunities that you'll find in
the Mediterranean. However there's an established windsurfing scene in
Leba, and in the resorts on the southern side of the Hel peninsula.
Riding
Horses and riding have a special place in the affections of many Poles.
In a country that takes great pride in its military traditions, horses
are associated with the dashing cavalry regiments for which the country
was long famous. Even today, equestrian prowess is regarded as one of
the higher art forms. Long established horse-breeding traditions,
particularly at the stud farms begun in the nineteenth century, continue
unabated, with internationally known centres such as Janów Podlaska
rearing what connoisseurs view as some of the world's finest fullbloods,
in particular classical Arabian purebreds. The annual autumn auctions at
Janów are pretty big news in the horse world, with visiting celebrities
including Jane Fonda and Rolling Stones' drummer Charlie Watts bidding
for the best mounts.
Equestrian holidays in Poland are becoming a real draw. There's a wide
and growing selection of state-owned stud farms, horse farms and other
horse-riding and equestrian centres to choose from, encompassing easy-going
family-oriented packages through to more strenuous holidays for the
serious enthusiast. All the holiday deals are reasonably priced, and
generally include meals, accommodation and the availability of riding
instruction.
Orbis has a good range of stud farms and riding centres detailed in
their brochure Horse-riding Holidays , while many of the farms offering
eco-holidays offer riding among their attractions. If you're staying in
Warsaw and simply fancy a day or two's riding nearby, the riding centre
Pa-Ta-Taj at Grodzisk Mazowiecki in Pruszków (tel 022/758 5835) offers
horses at 20zl per hour, while the training centre at Paszków, 20km from
the centre, offers rides with an instructor for 35zl per hour (tel
022/729 8336).
Fishing
Especially in the more outlying regions of the country, where the rivers
are generally less polluted, fishing is a popular pastime. The season
effectively runs all year in one form or another, with winter fishing
through holes in the ice and on the major Mazurian lakes, and fishing
for lavaret with artificial spinners in summer.
The best fishing areas include the Mazurian lakes (pike and perch), the
Bieszczady, notably the River San and its tributaries (trout), and the
southeast in general. Pick up the Yachting, Rowing and Angling brochure
produced by the State Sport and Tourism administration, ul.
Swietokrzyska 12, Warsaw (tel 022/694 4140), or for really comprehensive
advice, including details on how to buy compulsory fishing licences ,
contact The Polish Fishing Association, ul. Twarda 42, Warsaw (tel
022/620 5089, fax 620 5088), the National Tourist Board or Polorbis.
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