Chotowa: Torfy Nature Reserve, Hiking Trails and Grotto

The range of things to explore in Chotowa extends from peatland habitats and hiking routes to a grotto dedicated to the Virgin Mary. The Zalew offers a different focus: relaxation by the water and leisure among pine and oak forests. If you are looking for a holiday apartment in Chotowa, it helps with planning to first decide how you would like to spend your days: would you rather have more time for nature, a longer hike or local history?

Peatland habitats and hiking trails

The “Torfy” Nature Reserve was established in 1987 and covers about 12 hectares. It is located in Głowaczowa and Chotowa, in the municipality of Czarna, within the Dębica Forest District. The area’s natural features include the protection of the habitat of the round-leaved sundew. It is also home to numerous species and plant communities of peatland areas. The focus is therefore not only on individual plants, but also on the habitats they belong to.

The “Torfy” nature and forest educational trail starts next to the Chapel of St. Hubert on the Chotowa–Grabiny route. It is about 3 kilometres long and takes around two hours. Seven stops lead through the nature reserve and cover the protection of the round-leaved sundew’s natural habitat, as well as species and plant communities of peatland areas. This makes the trail a nature-focused option for planning your day.

The green hiking trail runs through the municipalities of Czarna and Pilzno, passing through Grabiny, the “Torfy” Nature Reserve, Chotowa, Machowa, the “Słotwina” Nature Reserve and Podlesie Machowskie. It is about 18 kilometres long; the walking time is approximately 4.5 hours. The two routes described therefore differ considerably in the time they take: the educational trail is estimated at around two hours, while the green trail takes about four and a half. Check current trail conditions before setting out.

Grotto and historic spring

The Grotto of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Chotowa was built in 1958. A spring next to the grotto was already known in the 19th century. Carved into stone is the inscription “Pielgrzymie spocznij u stóp Marii, to matka Twoja” (“Pilgrim, rest at Mary’s feet; she is your mother”). It addresses pilgrims directly and depicts Mary as a mother. The year it was built, the spring and the inscription give this place a different focus from the natural history of “Torfy”: here, religious heritage and local history take centre stage.

Forest and water at the Zalew

The Zalew in Chotowa lies amid extensive pine and oak forests. A place for relaxation by the water, experiencing nature, beach visits, water sports, fishing and mushroom picking, it offers a range of leisure options. Check current access and conditions for each activity to see what may be suitable during your visit.

A location description from 2022 places the Zalew on the grounds of the “GRAND” recreation and training centre, halfway between Pilzno and Czarna. These different features may help you choose a holiday apartment in Chotowa: the information about the trails gives you an approximate idea of the time involved, while the grotto and Zalew offer other points of interest for your stay.

Discover more destinations: Grabiny, Brzeźnica, Góra Motyczna, Pustków-Osiedle, Dębica, Bielowy, Pilzno, Żyraków.

Back to the main travel overview: Dębica.