“...Ostróda County is neither Masuria – the land of "dark forests and deep lakes" – nor typical Oberland, Masuria's "blonde-haired sister". Judging by the landscape, our region is something unique, a mix of Masurian mystery and Oberland's light...” – Aldona and Janusz B. Kozłowski "Guide to Ostróda". The terrain of the area that is the modern Ostróda County was shaped over 20 thousand years ago by glaciers.
Hilly terrain, ribbon lakes, rivers and vast areas of diverse forests with richness of flora and fauna, all contribute to the unique and unprecedented wealth of landscape and nature. A record number of natural monuments and numerous nature reserves attest to the natural diversity and richness of Western Masuria. Among the ten nature reserves, the most significant and vast include: "Drwęca River" (water), "Beaver habitat on the Pasłęka River" (fauna) and the "Taborskie Pines" (forest). The wide range of natural and landscape conservation sites also includes the Dylewskie Hills Landscape Park with species of flora and fauna, mountainous terrain and climate characteristics unprecedented in this area. The Park's peculiar terrain stands out among the whole Masuria region. It belongs to a glacial chain known as the Lubawa Upland. Its highest part, along with the highest peak – Mount Dylewska (312 m) lies in the Ostróda commune.
Gallery: Natural Secrets of Western Masuria