Gorce National Park in Lesser Poland Voivodeship, Poland - map and visitor information

Research checked: 2026-10-25. Check linked official notices before travel.

Gorce National Park, or Gorczański Park Narodowy, protects mountain forests, stream valleys, and open glades in Lesser Poland. You can explore a valley education path or plan a longer walk through the Gorce Mountains. Choose by terrain and time: a short paved valley section and an eight-kilometer mountain loop offer very different visits.

Stream valleys, old forest, and glades

• Kamienica Valley: a 4 km educational route follows the river through forest and geological features. The park suggests allowing about 2.5–3.5 hours for the full learning route.
• Jaszcze Valley: an 8 km route combines forest, meadows, and a memorial to the American Liberator aircraft lost in 1944.
• Mountain glades: open areas interrupt the forest and reveal how nature and the region’s pastoral history meet.

Before entering the Gorce trails

Fees, hours, and seasonal access

Plan for mountain weather

Strong wind, heavy rain, and storms can bring falling branches, rising streams, and lightning. The park recommends traveling during daylight. Allow extra time for slippery stone steps on the Jaszcze route. Match your equipment and turnaround plan to the weather and everyone’s ability.

Keep to the designated routes

Walking belongs on marked trails and educational paths. Dogs are permitted only on designated sections, with a leash and muzzle. The Trusiówka–Papieżówka stretch is one permitted option; this does not extend to every path in the valley. Follow the visitor rules and leave wildlife undisturbed.

Admission and overnight plans

Keep your admission ticket for inspection. For an overnight stay, use the two designated park camping places rather than selecting a spot beside a trail. Contact the camping operator through the official camping page to confirm the applicable arrangements and charges.

Find the valley that fits your plan

The park lies entirely in Lesser Poland. Poręba Wielka–Koninki serves the Oberówka side, while Lubomierz–Rzeki gives access to Trusiówka and the Kamienica Valley. The Jaszcze education path starts at Kosarzyska in Ochotnica Górna. Its stops 9–13 lie outside the national park, so the whole loop is not a single protected-area unit.

Nearby parks

• Pieniny National Park: continue toward Krościenko nad Dunajcem for another regional road trip.
• Tatra National Park: the Zakopane trailheads lie south of the Nowy Targ area and require a separate arrival plan.

Choose a manageable walking route

The Kamienica Valley route includes amphibian ponds and an exposed section of the rocks that form the Gorce Mountains. The paved approach to Papieżówka is an option for wheelchair users, but that description does not apply to the whole 4 km route. For a longer outing, allow 4–6 hours and almost 400 m of elevation change on the Jaszcze loop.

Camping and access support

Oberówka has a shelter and designated fire places about 800 m from its parking area. Vehicle access for people with particular access needs requires prior agreement with the forester. Trusiówka has a shelter, designated fire places, and parking nearby. Check facilities against your season rather than assuming every service operates year-round.

Forest protection in the Gorce Mountains

Establishment and boundaries

The park was established under the regulation of August 8, 1980. Some land managed by the park remains outside its legal boundary, including forest at the summit of Turbacz. A place’s ownership and its location inside the national park are different questions.

Forests and stream habitats

The park’s forests, glades, wetlands, and streams support Carpathian wildlife, including wolves and lynx. These animals use habitats beyond the paths visitors follow. Observe quietly and keep ponds and stream margins undisturbed.

Contact Gorczański Park Narodowy

Headquarters: Poręba Wielka 590, 34-735 Niedźwiedź, Poland. Phone: +48 18 331 72 07. Email: [email protected]. The official park website provides maps, route descriptions, and current notices.