Gorce National Park (Засадне)

 valley, park, forest, national park

Gorce National Park (Polish: Gorczański Park Narodowy, GPN) is a national park in Lesser Poland, southern Poland. It covers central and northeastern parts of the Gorce mountain range and was created in 1981 on the area of 5908 acres (23.9 km²).

The Gorce range is dominated by arched peaks and river valleys which cut into the range. There are a few small caves and obviously - several peaks such as Turbacz (the highest - 1310 meters above sea level), Jaworzyna Kamienicka, Kiczora, Kudłoń, Czoło Turbacza and Gorc Kamienicki. Waters cover only 0.18 km² of park’s area - there are no lakes or big rivers, only streams.

In the whole Gorce range there are hundreds of species of plants, including Alpine and Subalpine plants, which grow on openings. Forests cover about 95% of park’s area and most common species are spruce, beech and fir. There are some openings which are mostly the result of human activity. First settlers appeared in the Gorce area in the 14th century but Gorce’s forests suffered most in the 19th century. Back then, trees were cut down on a large scale, especially in easily accessible areas.

Animal life is abundant and it includes several species of birds and mammals, including lynx, wolf and bear. Also there are frogs, snakes and salamanders (the latter are regarded as the symbol of the park).

Official website: www.gorczanskipark.pl/index.php?lang=2