Red-marked main trail that crosses Kampinos National Park from east to west, starting on the edge of the Warsaw agglomeration. About 360 km of marked hiking trails exist in the park.
The Main Kampinos Forest Trail, marked in red, is the long east-west spine of Kampinos National Park in Masovia, Poland. It begins at Dziekanów Leśny, on the north-western edge of the Warsaw agglomeration, and runs about 55.8 km to Brochów, passing through pine forest, oak and hornbeam stands, wetland meadows and old inland dunes. The park is a UNESCO biosphere reserve, and the trail is the best-known of its roughly 360 km of marked hiking routes.
Access from Warsaw is by public transport. A ZTM suburban bus or a Koleje Mazowieckie train reaches the Łomianki and Dziekanów Leśny area in about 40 minutes, and visitors should check Jakdojade for the current line and zone ticket. Parking is available at forest edges for those arriving by car, though the linear route makes a car awkward for a one-way walk. Most walkers split the route into day sections of 12 to 20 km, taking two to three days end to end, or choose a single section of four to six hours.
The route is mostly flat. The forested dune ridges add only about 10 to 30 m of climbing, so the difficulty comes from distance and soft terrain rather than elevation. The surface is mainly sandy forest track, which is slow going with a loaded pack, mixed with firmer forest roads and wooden boardwalks across wet ground. Much of the route is shaded under tree canopy, with little exposure, but open meadow stretches can be hot in midsummer.
Landmarks along the way include the dune-and-marsh mosaic typical of the park, boardwalk sections over bog, and small villages near the trail where walkers can resupply. Natural turn-around or exit points occur wherever the red trail meets a road or a bus stop, which allows a day walk to be shortened. Reliable water is scarce in the forest itself, so walkers should carry all they need and refill in villages. Shelters and rest areas exist at some junctions, but accommodation is limited and should be arranged in advance for a multi-day walk. Ticks are common from spring to autumn, and repellent and long trousers are advisable.
| Distance | 55.8 km one way (Dziekanów Leśny to Brochów); day sections of 12-20 km |
|---|---|
| Duration | 2-3 days end to end; 4-6 hours for a day section |
| Difficulty | moderate |
| Trailhead | ZTM suburban bus or Koleje Mazowieckie train to the Łomianki / Dziekanów Leśny area from Warsaw (about 40 minutes; one ZTM ticket in the extended zone, check Jakdojade for the current line) |
| Best season | April-October |
| Address | Dziekanów Leśny, 05-092 Łomianki |
Trail facts
- Trail area
- Kampinos National Park, Dziekanów Leśny
- Trail type
- Linear
- Terrain
- Sandy forest tracks, dunes and wetland boardwalks
What to bring
- Sturdy shoes
- Water
- Insect repellent
- Park map or offline GPS
Location
Dziekanów Leśny, 05-092 Łomianki
52.3345, 20.8140 View on map
Highlights
- Walk the full east-west spine of Kampinos National Park, a UNESCO biosphere reserve
- Cross sandy dune ridges and wetland boardwalks within an hour of central Warsaw
- Split the 55.8 km route into flexible 12-20 km day sections
- Reach the trailhead from Warsaw in about 40 minutes by suburban bus or train
Tips for visiting
- Carry all drinking water; reliable refills are mostly in villages, not in the forest.
- Use long trousers and repellent from spring to autumn because ticks are common.
- Download an offline map, since mobile signal can be patchy in the deeper forest.
- Plan day sections around bus stops where the red trail meets a road so the walk can be cut short.
- Sandy tracks tire the legs; allow extra time compared with a paved route of the same length.
When to visit
April to October, with May-June and September offering mild temperatures and fewer ticks than midsummer. Weekday mornings are quietest.
Accessibility
The trail is not suitable for wheelchairs or strollers over most of its length because of soft sand and uneven forest tracks. Some short boardwalk and firm forest-road sections near access points may be manageable for those with limited mobility.
Frequently asked questions
How long is the Main Kampinos Forest Trail?
The red trail runs about 55.8 km one way from Dziekanów Leśny to Brochów. Most walkers cover it in two to three days or hike a single 12-20 km section.
How do visitors reach the start from Warsaw?
A ZTM suburban bus or a Koleje Mazowieckie train reaches the Łomianki and Dziekanów Leśny area in about 40 minutes. The current line should be checked on Jakdojade.
Is the trail steep?
No. The terrain is mostly flat, with dune ridges adding only about 10 to 30 m. The effort comes from distance and soft sand.
When is the best time to walk it?
April to October is the usual window. Late spring and early autumn are cooler and have fewer insects than midsummer.