It was established in 1974 and covers an area of 8,483 hectares of which 608 hectares are under strict protection. The emblem of the park is the Polish pony. A vast proportion of its area is taken up by forests (around 95%). These are diverse areas formed by the chains of limestone hills and sandy valleys. One of them is the valley of the River Wieprz which cuts the Central Roztocze Highlands and the National Park. The layout of the terrain and its location in the climatic zone, where the warm and cold air masses clash, affects the diversity and abundance of vegetation. There are about 700 different species of vascular plants, creating 19 forest environments of which the most valued are the upland fir and Carpathian beech forests. Especially noteworthy are the individual trees, of which there are over 400 (beech, fir, large-leaved linden and the English oak). There are 54 varieties of mammals in the park (deer, roe deer, wild boars, wolves, beavers, Polish ponies, otters and common and hazel dormice). Designated hiking trails and roads make it easy to visit the park. There are also seven cognitive trails leading through the most interesting, cultural and historical sections of the park. Roztocze National Park (woj. Lubelskie) www.roztoczanskipn.pl