Warsaw and its surroundings

The natural highlight of the capital’s neighbourhood is the Kampinos National Park with its characteristic wooded dunes and some barely accessible swamps and bogs, which shelter much of its animal life. At Opalenie (Gniew) is the starting point and the terminus of the 146km Kampinos Cycling Trail that criss–crosses the park. The trail brings you to Żelazowa Wola (Sachaczew), the birthplace of Frédéric Chopin, where piano music concerts are held from late spring till early autumn. Another interesting trail runs north towards Modlin (Pomiechówek), where Napoleon built a mighty fortress, and then to scenic Pomiechówek, where cyclists organise their annual gathering. It then continues along the banks of the Narew River to the old town of Pułtusk and then on towards the Masurian Lakeland.