Ancient forest by the Polish seaside - see this place before it disappears again

There are places where time has stopped for thousands of years - and this is the phenomenon we can admire today on the Polish Baltic Sea. In the Słowiński National Park, on the beach in Czołpino, nature has revealed a real treasure to us: a prehistoric forest from 3,000 years ago! But watch out - this spectacle will not wait forever. The sea has its whims and at any moment it may swallow this extraordinary natural monument again. If you are looking for reasons for an exciting spring or summer trip - you have just found one of the best!

On the beach in Czołpino in Słowiński National Park, a forest has "grown". And not just any ordinary one, it is 3,000 years old! And all because of the storm that in 2016 revealed this miracle of nature, lifting the veil of the secret of our ancestors.

Beech and oak trunks, which are probably remnants of the former forest, create a spectacular effect on the beach. However, as is the case in nature, nothing is given for ever.

Experts who have already conducted a series of tests report that the remaining tree trunks are well preserved and their age appears to be much younger due to natural preservation by sea water.

According to experts, the stumps may have been the result of a fire or being cut down by ancestors, and the shifting coastline effectively absorbed them into the sea, taking a large piece of history with it. Fragments of the ancient forest were first carried away by the water and then "hidden" under a layer of sand. Only very strong storms revealed the stumps, piece by piece, so that they could finally be "put together" into a forest.

Ancient forest - Słowiński National Park / Shutterstock

From the information currently available, it appears that the forest site is still "moving", and this can only mean one thing. The water will probably hide it in its abyss again, it is not known for how long, or maybe forever. From meteorological observations, it can be determined that the windy weather and sea currents are to blame. However, over time, it is clear and distinct that the forest is disappearing under the sand and water again. Every year, it is noted that the coastline moves towards the land by about 15-30 cm, in some places even by a meter.

Therefore, anyone who manages to see it over time can expect a completely different view. Some time ago, the trunks were an incredible tourist attraction that attracted enthusiasts of such finds. Now, the forest is getting smaller, so anyone who still wants to see it should not delay the trip.

Słowiński National Park / Shutterstock

The sunken forest is located in the Słowiński National Park, so to get there you have to follow strictly marked hiking trails. The place where the stumps are located is at the height of Lake Dołgie Duże, between Czołpino and Rowy. Getting to this place is not so easy, because you can't drive close to the beach.

It is best to leave the car near the lighthouse in Czołpino. Such a trip involves a several-kilometer hike through difficult terrain, first forest, then typically sandy. Therefore, you should prepare yourself for this type of trip. Those who are already experienced in this type of trip should cover such a route in about an hour. It is also worth remembering that you have to pay a fee for entry to the Słowiński National Park .

This is not the only such flooded forest in the world. Apart from the one in Czołpino, the ancient forests include those in New Hampshire in the USA, which may be as old as 3,800 years. The water exposes the roots of coniferous trees such as white pine and fir. There is also a flooded forest in Cornwall in England, which may be 6,000 years old, and a forest in Norfolk (also England) from about 10,000 years ago, which was part of the prehistoric Doggerland – a land that once connected Great Britain with continental Europe.