In the rather flat Greater Poland region, the park’s strongly undulating surface stands out so much that the area has been called “Żerków Switzerland.” In its center, the Warta River valley meanders lazily through multiple oxbow lakes. The oldest nature reserve in Greater Poland, the Czeszewo Forest, is also located here. The Great Waterway Loop of Wielkopolska runs through the park, and rafting in this river section is really popular.
The park encompasses areas along the middle course of the Warta River, near Żerków, Czeszewo, Miłosław, and Nowe Miasto nad Wartą. It protects the post-glacial landscape shaped during the last glaciation. The glacier formed high prominence – known as the Żerków Ridge- that slope steeply towards the Warta River.
The forests and meadows of the Warta landscape are periodically flooded by the waters of the Lutynia and Warta Rivers, which conduces to breeding and habitation of birds. Here, you can observe the life of great egrets, red kites, and black storks. White-tailed eagles or woodpeckers are also commonly seen in the park.
Must-see sights
The observation tower in Wolica Kozia offers fantastic panoramic views of the area. The viewing point in Brzostków is also worth visiting. From the latter, you can clearly see the white façade of the Palace in Śmiełów, which now houses the Adam Mickiewicz Museum (a branch of the National Museum in Poznań). The poet stayed indeed in the palace at the turn of 1831 and 1832. Today, the museum’s collection contains priceless memorabilia, as well as curios, such as editions of “Pan Tadeusz” translated into many exotic languages.
Two long-distance cycling routes go through the Żerków-Czeszewo Landscape Park: the Warta Bicycle Route and the Trans-Greater Poland Cycling Route.
