Bushcraft Poland

[Daren Stone]

I'm looking at going to Poland next year for a holiday and would like to know if anyone has had any bushcraft experiences in Poland? What would be a good part of Poland to visit and if they have used any guides to learn more about the area?
All comment appreciated

 

[bambodoggy]

I'm looking at going to Poland next year for a holiday and would like to know if anyone has had any bushcraft experiences in Poland? What would be a good part of Poland to visit and if they have used any guides to learn more about the area?
All comment appreciated

Hey Dude,

This place is well worth a visit:

http://www.staff.amu.edu.pl/~zbzw/ph/pnp/bial.htm

There's still large healthy wolf packs in the forest which is also the last major european Primeval Forest and the last bastion of the wild european bison. The forest itself straddles Poland and Belarus so get a good map and make sure you don't stray into the other side unless you have the rigth visa, the Belarus board patrols are pretty switched on
There's no detailed maps available until you get to site but you can order a bird watchers map of either countries side of the forest which is enough to seeing you around the place if you're not too rusty on the nav skills (Available at "Stampfords Maps").

Hope that's of some help to you Mate, have a great time and tell us all how you got on when you get back.

Cheers,

Bam.

 

[arctic hobo]

Give Wayne a PM, I know he's done a fair bit in Poland

 

[tedw]

Are you going to visit relatives? I ask because that's probably your best bet for getting access to the Polish countryside. I'm no expert, but most of it seems to be (peasant) farmed and whilst there is plenty of woodland, much of it seems to be controlled by hunting cooperatives who maintain the environment. They have a sort of “forestmeister” system like the Germans – my cousin is one, and I’ve been out shooting with him (we only got mushrooms!). I doubt there would be any problem camping but they might not be keen on your cutting wood or building fires on their patch.

Anyway, relatives/friends/work colleagues are bound to know someone who hunts and might be prepared to take you out – but don’t expect them to speak English!

There is wild mountain country along the Tatra mountain chain between Poland and the Czech Republic, but I think the wildest country is on the Eastern borders. From what understand, there is no way you will be allowed free access to the Bialowieski National Park.

If it helps, Woodcraft school apparently do a course in Poland:

http://www.woodcraft-school.co.uk/tracking-in-poland.htm

They might be able to give you some advice.

I don’t know if this helps at all, but good luck – and please write a report when you get back. I’d like to do some of that myself, but so far have not been able to escape the kind hospitality of the (very) extended family!

Ted W

 

[Daren Stone]

I'm going with some Polish friends and they are also going to be asking friends if they know anyone willing to take me out for a few days, I'm trying to get my friends interested.
I'll let you know what happens when I get back (not going to be until next year the trip)
thank you all

Daren ;o)

 

[Wayne]

hi.

i have been to Poland a couple of times this year. The wild life of poland is quite diverse. As Bam said the forest bordering Poland and Belarus contain Bison and wolves. these can as be found in the Boreka forest of the Mazuri lake district. other species include wild boar, elk, red deer and racoon dog etc.

a lot of the forests are not public access and require permission of the forestry service.

 

[sam_acw]

Thought I'd add a bit here even though this is an old-ish thread;
I live in Krakow and i'm trying to get involved in bushcrafty things in Poland at the moment. There are two points i'll make here.
1 - poland and belarus are not very friendly at the moment and that border is not a good place to be going.
2 - there is a Polish language magazine called survival that has lots of info. It is produced by a company called oikos who sell lots of bushcraft/hunting items. Only trouble is i can't read too well in polish as i've only been learning for 9 months.
Anyway, if anyone ever wants to have a meet up anywhere in southern poland just droip me a mail!