The green northern part of the county, almost entirely covered by the Lower Silesian Forests, is perfect for organised family outings. It is worth following the “Trails of the Lower Silesian Forests – Parowa Ponds” tourist and nature trail. The route is 19 km long—and offers so many attractions along the way! We begin our hike at the Węgliniec Cultural Centre and finish at the Cultural Centre in Stary Węgliniec. Along the way, we can find not only natural treasures, but also the Museum of the Eastern Borderlands and the buildings of the railway junction in Węgliniec. There are true gems ahead, however: the Asuan tourist and nature refuge, where beaver lodges and numerous water birds can be admired; the Parowa Ponds, whose creation dates back to the 15th century; and approximately century-old mature acacia woodland along the Wolno Nowy and Wolno Stary ponds. There is no shortage of places to rest and camp along the route.
The forests of Pieńsk, Węgliniec and Ruszów are also wonderful places for the increasingly popular activity of Nordic walking. This form of recreation is also ideal in the area of the Gronowskie Hills and Białogórze.
The pine forests are also a true bounty of forest fruits, where avid mushroom pickers can fill their baskets with fine specimens of porcini and bay boletes. Meanwhile, the fish-farming ponds amid the forests, a characteristic feature of the Węgliniec landscape, provide excellent conditions for anglers, who can catch more than one “big fish” here.
Those relaxing in nature can head to the Pieńsk municipality, where the “Krusza” pond is located—a habitat of the beaver and a site where exotic Atlantic vegetation grows.
Hiking enthusiasts should not deny themselves the pleasure of walking through the picturesque Izera Foothills. You do not need to be an experienced mountaineer to climb the nearby peaks—Guślarz (569 m above sea level) and Graniczny Wierch (642 m above sea level). While walking through this beautiful area, we can also learn interesting facts about the history of our region. Thanks to the educational trails in the Zgorzelec Municipality, we can discover, among other things, the burial mounds of the Bieżuńczans and sites of Napoleonic skirmishes.
A compulsory stop on any trip around the county is the mine viewing terrace (Bogatynia Municipality), offering a truly “lunar” landscape. While in the area, one must not forget the “tripoint”—a unique place where the borders of Poland, the Czech Republic and Germany meet.
The Lusatian Neisse provides ideal conditions for active recreation. Its changing character—from a mountain course along the Czech border, through the gorge near Trzciniec, to the slow current around the Lower Silesian Forests—is a real treat for canoeists. During canoeing trips, visitors can admire charming landscapes, architectural gems and imposing industrial structures.
There are still many places in the county worth discovering, not only by tourists but also by residents, and the Zgorzelec County Office warmly encourages everyone to do so!
Zgorzelec County/ii