Gorce National Park

Gorce National Park
Gorczański Park Narodowy
View of south-eastern ridge of Lubań (1,211 m)
Park logo with Fire salamander
Map showing the location of Gorce National Park
Map showing the location of Gorce National Park
Location in Poland
LocationLesser Poland Voivodeship, Poland
Nearest cityNowy Targ
Coordinates49°35′N 20°3′E / 49.583°N 20.050°E / 49.583; 20.050
Area70.3 km2 (27.1 sq mi)
Established1981
Governing bodyMinistry of the Environment

Gorce National Park (Polish: Gorczański Park Narodowy) is a national park in Lesser Poland Voivodeship, southern Poland. It covers central and northeastern parts of the Gorce Mountains, which are part of the Western Beskids (at the western end of the Carpathian range).

The first steps to protect this land go back to 1927, when a forest reserve was set up on land owned by Count Ludwik Wodzicki of Poręba Wielka. The National Park was created in 1981, then covering 23.9 square kilometres. Today, the area of the park has grown to 70.3 km2 (27.1 sq mi), of which 65.91 km2 is forested. The area of the protective zone around the park is 166.47 km2. The park lies within Limanowa County and Nowy Targ County, and has its headquarters in Poręba Wielka.

The Gorce range is dominated by arched peaks, with river valleys cutting into the range. There are a few small caves and obviously - several peaks such as Turbacz (the highest - 1310 meters above sea level), Jaworzyna Kamienicka, Kiczora, Kudłoń, Czoło Turbacza and Gorc Kamienicki. Waters cover only 0.18 km2 of park's area - there are no lakes or big rivers, only streams.