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28 Jul 2009
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Poland in a 4x4
Hello all,
Ive been searching for information on 4x4ing in poland and this site got recommended despite its biking origins.
We will have five days i think in poland, we will drive long distances each day so traversing the whole country in that period isnt a problem, I will list the areas in no particular order... if people know better places that landrovers can go and play.
also how important is it to speak a bit of polish?
1. ancient forest in eastern poland?
2. bledlow desert north east of krakow
3. chockolow village which was recommended on this site
4. rastenburg and masurian lakes
Thanks for any help
Pete
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Last edited by Bertrand; 29 Jul 2009 at 11:41.
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28 Jul 2009
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In terms of offroading, Poland is pretty much like Germany: it's forbidden pretty much everywhere. The only difference is that the enforcement thereof isn't as strict as it is over here. Might actually be a tad better in the eastern part of Poland, can't quite tell you whether or not that's correct.
Speaking a little Polish might turn out to be quite handy, but you should get along with English just fine. Kids learn English from first grade these days, and pretty much anybody below the age of 30-35 speaks almost perfect English. Some people also speak some German, especially in the German-Polish border region and the parts that used to be German at one point or another in history.
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31 Jul 2009
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I think im going to take a phrase book along with me,
can anyone give an idea of what dirt track means to poland... its on a 1:200,000 scale... are we talking africa style or gravel or what?
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31 Jul 2009
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The few tracks I bumbled along were a mixture of mainly compacted earth. These get muddy after rain and often are the local's short cut routes between villages-
Mostly I stayed on tarmac- some poor secondary roads have very damaged old tarmac, many with pot holes and often with metal rods and bits sticking out- one even had a branch to show a missing manhole cover altogether!
There exists a Garmin gps map of Poland you might find helpful.
A phrase book could be useful as are 'image cards'- I made my own by photographing the most needed things (for me!) and fixed them together- it's about 3"X2 as a picture speaks a thousand words! it looks very amateurish -and it is- but it works
great places to see - sea side towns of Gdansk, Sopot and Gdynia, the old town of Warsaw, ski/mountainous Zakopane in the foothills of the Tatry mountains, the old cemetary in Zakopan ahs headstones carved out of wood, the Mazury region full of lakes and forests for your Landy to go and have some exercise!
and if you have time go see the Hel peninsula full of beautiful fishing villages, long white sand beaches etc- The President's summer residence is there too
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1 Aug 2009
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thanks for you help bertrand,
garming gps map would be useful, where can it be found?
is that region with lakes and forests in the north/north west of poland? landy needs exercise!! especially while theres two, so if i get stuck i can be removed! 
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1 Aug 2009
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electronic map is sold by Garmin-
Have you thought about look at the Stanfords web site (map shop in Covent Garden) as they have the best selection of maps I have ever come across including O.S maps which sound what you need to find those trails you are seekingThe Bialowieski National Park is also worth a look but be warned you need a guide and will deffo not be allowed to 'off road it there'!
It has some of largest forests in Europe (maybe even the largest) and is near the Polish-Byelorussian border, near Bialystok. 580 square kilometers of the forest.
Sounds to me like you may need to keep heading East and head into Russia! plenty of open spaces there for the Landy to exercise those bearings and differentials!
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3 Aug 2009
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I had a look on there but at the time i had no idea where was good to go so i bought the 1:200,000 scale map for all of poland. Ill have another look at the smaller maps.
Well we only have a week and because we seem to want to do things in three main areas which are in different corners of poland we are going to do the western half, leaving out the old forest on the belarus (cant spell) border.
Id love to go to russia, but we dont have the time this year, next year is probably the sahara so maybe the year after!
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3 Aug 2009
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Poland
There's loads of off roading in Poland and a very active 4x4 scene. Just look for 4x4 magazines in garages and newsagents when you get there. be aware that you can't drive in the Bledow desert. It's a military training area and you could get a 5000 zloty fine.
Happy trails,
Jojo
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4 Aug 2009
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Hello Jojo,
ok, well bear that in mind about the desert, we want to go that way anyway so still go down and have a look from the outside.
i dont speak polish... how do i interpret what the 4x4 mags are saying? not meaning to be rude but am wondering how to gather infromaiton from them!
can i assume that if we follow dirt tracks in the forested area east of berling that we will come across offroad tracks?
Cheers
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Last edited by PeterClark; 6 Aug 2009 at 08:07.
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6 Aug 2009
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Poland
Hi Peter,
The better 4x4 magazines have tulip diagrams which are easy to interpret. If you're very lucky they'll have tracks in the region that you're headed for.
They're also full of addresses for off road specialists, parts suppliers, garages, local clubs, etc. Hotel/campsite staff can help with translations if you're really stuck.
Jojo
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17 Aug 2009
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ok thats really good info jojo, thanks 
another question, what are the tatra mountains and sudenten mountains like to visit from tourist and 4x4 point of view, the tatra mountians are in a national park what does this mean?
many thanks
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17 Aug 2009
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Beautiful views Peter but as for using your 4x4 off road, you are very likely to get in trouble with the authorities if they catch you.
All National parks I have been to are protected for the benefit of all and you cannot ride/drive anywhere at your leisure.
Perhaps get a local map and drop in the local police to ask them where you can/cannot go could be helpful or get a local 4x4 magazine
Just a thought!
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19 Aug 2009
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ok the general impression im getting from this is to go to poland heading for an area and theres a good chance that if youre at a campsite they can tell you where to go or you can find a 4x4 mag that also tells you.
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20 Aug 2009
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North East
Hi Peter,
I'd suggest Mazury (Lake District) in the north-east corner of Poland. There are many minor roads allowed for car traffic. 66th edition of World Rally Championship took place there in June this year. Take a look here: news - Rally Poland official website. You will get a detailed map at any major gas station in the area. I don't see a way to buy a Garmin map of Poland over internet in English. Maybe if you ask these people, they could handle it: APEX24.pl - Dystrybutor GARMIN - Twoje Centrum Nawigacji. Remember that there are few highways in Poland and traffic is pretty heavy so allow something like 9hr to get from western border to the destination. Mapy Google give fairly good estimates of time needed.
Good luck,
Kris
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24 Aug 2009
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thanks very much for your help mdmystko , i think i will follow that rally course, do you know anything about the terrain?
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