Tatra

Tatrzański Park Narodowy

Area: 21.164 ha Established: 1954

Statute: World Biosphere Reserve ( en - fr - es ) - 1992

Tatra National Park

The park surrounds and protects the whole Tatra Range on the Polish side, the only region of alpine character in Poland, with the highest peak of Mount Rysy (2499 m above sea level). One of the most beautiful Polish landscapes is created by the jagged granite ridges and forested slopes, post-glacial hollows nestling mountain lakes, numerous caves and scenic valleys with rushing mountain streams. The foothill zone (up to 1200 m above sea level) is dominated by spruce forests mixed with fir, larch, beech and sycamore. The highland zone (up to 1550 m above sea level) is covered with spruce with a few stone pine stands. The dwarf pine layer (up to 1800 m above sea level) gives way to alpine meadows and pastures, while over 2,300 m. above sea level stretches the zone of crags and peaks. The flora of the Tatra Range abounds in indigenous and alpine plant species. The Tatra mountains attract nature lovers with such alpine species as marmot and chamois and also boast a small population of bears. The Tatra Range is one of Poland's last refuges of the golden eagle.