Chotowa – Nature, Hiking and the Marian Grotto

• The “Torfy” Nature Reserve was established in 1987 and covers about 12 ha. It is located in Głowaczowa and Chotowa, in the Czarna municipality, within the Dębica Forest District.
• The “Torfy” nature and forest trail is about 3 km long, takes approximately two hours and has seven stations.
• The green hiking trail through the Czarna and Pilzno municipalities is about 18 km long; the stated walking time is approximately four and a half hours.
• The Grota Najświętszej Marii Panny was built in 1958. A spring beside the grotto was already known in the 19th century.
• The Zalew reservoir lies amid extensive pine and oak forests. A description published in 2022 places it on the grounds of the “GRAND” recreation and training center, halfway between Pilzno and Czarna.

The “Torfy” Nature Reserve is located in Głowaczowa and Chotowa. The nature and forest trail of the same name is in the Chotowa forest district and starts next to the Chapel of St. Hubert on the Chotowa–Grabiny route. Its approximate duration of two hours and length of about 3 km provide a concrete framework for this nature walk.

The trail passes through the nature reserve. Its seven stations cover the protection of the natural habitat of the round-leaved sundew, as well as numerous species and plant communities found in peatlands. This brings the protection of a specific plant species and the diversity of the peatland landscape together as central themes. The reserve itself covers about 12 ha and was established in 1987; it is in the Czarna municipality, within the Dębica Forest District.

The two hiking options differ considerably in length and duration: the nature and forest trail is listed as about 3 km and approximately two hours, while the green hiking trail is around 18 km and about four and a half hours. Based on these approximate figures, the difference is around 15 km and about two and a half hours. This makes it easy to compare the time needed for the shorter nature trail with that for the longer hiking route.

The green trail runs through the Czarna and Pilzno municipalities. Its route passes through Grabiny, the “Torfy” Nature Reserve, Chotowa, Machowa, the “Słotwina” Nature Reserve and Podlesie Machowskie. Chotowa is therefore one section of a route that includes several localities and protected areas. Before setting out, it is worth checking current trail conditions.

The Grota Najświętszej Marii Panny in Chotowa was built in 1958. The inscription “Pielgrzymie spocznij u stóp Marii, to matka Twoja” — “Pilgrim, rest at Mary’s feet; she is your mother” — is carved into the stone. The words give the site a clear religious significance.

A spring beside the grotto was already known in the 19th century. The two dates refer to different details: the spring was known as early as then, while the grotto itself dates to 1958.

The Zalew reservoir lies amid extensive pine and oak forests and is described as a place for waterside recreation, enjoying nature, spending time on the beach, water sports, fishing and mushroom picking. These leisure activities have a different focus from the “Torfy” trail: at the Zalew, water and forest take center stage, while the trail focuses on the habitats and plants of peatland areas.

The 2022 description of the area places the Zalew on the grounds of the “GRAND” recreation and training center, halfway between Pilzno and Czarna. Together with the surrounding forest landscape, this location provides geographic context for the Zalew, while the listed leisure activities reflect its described character.

Discover more destinations: Podgrodzie, Dębica, Żyraków, Pustków-Osiedle, Parkosz, Grabiny, Góra Motyczna and Brzeźnica.

How long is the “Torfy” nature and forest trail?

The trail is about 3 km long and takes approximately two hours. It has seven stations.

How long is the green hiking trail?

The route is about 18 km long; the approximate walking time is four and a half hours. The trail passes through Chotowa and the Czarna and Pilzno municipalities.

What leisure activities are associated with the Zalew?

The activities described are waterside recreation, enjoying nature, spending time on the beach, water sports, fishing and mushroom picking.

Go to the main travel overview: Dębica.