„Perehod” is a nature trail in Polissia National Park near the village of Pieszowola in Gmina Sosnowica, in Lublin Polissia. The park describes it as a typical ornithological trail: it runs along dikes beside the Pieszowola Ponds, past heathlands, oak groves, and pine forests. Its length is about 5 km (our track is 5.3 km), and the start and finish are almost at the same point. Allow 2–3 hours for the walk: the park suggests 1.5 to 3 hours, and with binoculars on the towers, it is easy to stay longer.
Ponds, towers, and birds
Water is the main attraction here. For birdwatchers, the park has placed two observation towers and an ornithological shelter along the trail. The ponds are frequented by grey herons, great egrets, great cormorants, great crested grebes, mute swans (whooper swans are rarer), common kingfishers, and great reed warblers. The rare ferruginous duck can sometimes be seen, and a white-tailed eagle hunts above the water. In spring, a muffled "booming like blowing into a bottle" echoes from the reeds — this is the call of the Eurasian bittern, a bird from the heron family. The best time for observation is early morning and evening, when the birds are most active.
European pond turtle
The Pieszowola Ponds are one of the habitats of the European pond turtle, which the park calls its treasure. This rare species is protected throughout Polissia National Park, and one of its habitats is located near the trail. Spotting a turtle is not guaranteed: they are shy and vanish into the water at the slightest sound. Therefore, move quietly, stay on the dikes, and do not approach the banks.
The village of Pieszowola
Pieszowola is a small village on road no. 819 between Kolacze and Sosnowica. Its history is tied to the Second World War: in January 1943, the poet Krystyna Krahelska lived here at the Krassowski family estate and wrote the lyrics of the song „Hej, chłopcy, bagnet na broń!”. Later, it became one of the most popular songs of the Polish underground and the Warsaw Uprising. Also connected to Pieszowola is the bicycle „Eco-Trail Urszulin – Perehod” (about 23 km long): it connects all the nature trails of the park and ends right here.
How to get there and what to consider
The trail lies in the northern part of the park. From the no. 82 Lublin – Włodawa highway (the intersection in Kolacze), take road no. 819 towards Sosnowica: at the beginning of Pieszowola, turn left onto a dirt road; it is about 12 km to the start. From Sosnowica towards Stary Brus, it is 7 km, turning right as you leave Pieszowola. Free parking is available near the trail entrance, approximately one kilometer from road no. 819. Traveling by car is the most convenient option.
There are no wooden boardwalks here: the route runs along dirt dikes, so a pram can get through, but the park does not recommend it after rain. In summer, there are many mosquitoes near the ponds and ticks in the grass. Bring insect repellent, water, and binoculars.
Admission to the trail is paid. As of autumn 2026, a ticket for a single trail costs 7 PLN (concessionary 3.5 PLN), a daily ticket for all five paid park trails is 16 PLN, and a three-day ticket is 21 PLN. Tickets are sold online and at the park headquarters in Urszulin (3a Lubelska Street). You can walk the trails from dawn to dusk, strictly on the marked path; visits for groups of more than 10 people must be arranged with the park in advance.
This is Poland: Ukrainian citizens need a valid foreign passport.