Notecka Forest is one of the largest forests in Poland, stretching from Oborniki in the east to Skwierzyna in the west; it has over 100 km in total length. Although it’s a man-planted forest, there’s no better getaway from civilization in Greater Poland. While walking or biking you may encounter almost no one for hours. Mobile phone reception is also unreliable here, so the added benefit is a real digital detox.
The forest mainly grows on glacial dunes located between the Warta and Noteć rivers. The poor-quality, sandy soils conduced to the use of the area for afforestation, and it is pine that grows best on podzols. This type of forest, with its poor underbrush and relatively light-filled crowns, is a perfect place for mushroom pickers. They come here not only from Poznań but also from Łódź and even as far away as Silesia.
Notecka Forest is more than just a forest – it’s also an area with multiple mid-forest lakes. Many of them are absolute enclaves of peace and quiet, where you are very unlikely to encounter crowds of tourists. It’s also a wonderful place for cycling trips – the international R1 trail runs through here, for example. It’s completely normal that while riding along one of the trails you may come across another person at most once an hour.
Where to start the trip to the Notecka Forest? In one of the towns on its outskirts: Wronki, Obrzycko, Sieraków, or Wieleń. You can also take a train to its heart, getting off deep in the forest, at the stations in Miały or Mokrze.