Słup Reservoir is a hidden gem in the Sudeten Foreland — a large retention lake that looks so much like a natural glacial lake that it's easy to forget it was built by human hands. Just a kilometre from the town of Jawor, it offers tranquil walks, superb birdwatching and a fascinating submerged history.

Covering nearly 5 km² with a shoreline stretching 19 km, the reservoir impresses with its sandy and gravel beaches and open views across the rolling foothills. The atmosphere is peaceful and unhurried throughout the seasons — lush and green in summer, misty and atmospheric in autumn, stark and dramatic in winter. The southern end, where the Nysa Szalona river fans out into a marshland, is a paradise for birdwatchers: around 25 species nest here, and during migration season you can spot up to 80 species of waterfowl. The water quality is exceptionally high — first class — which supports 18 species of fish including pike, perch, trout and tench.

• Seasonal railway halt KD Brachów — PTTK walking trail along the northern shore, approx. 5 km, easy
• Village of Słup — PTTK walking trail along the northern shore, approx. 5 km, easy

• Swimming and water sports are strictly prohibited — the reservoir serves as a drinking water source for Legnica.
• Fishing is permitted — managed by the Polish Angling Association (PZW), Legnica branch.
• Trail access is seasonal — check current conditions before your visit.

Beneath the surface lies a submerged palace where Field Marshal Blücher once stayed — it was here, in what is now the village of Brachów under the water, that he learned of Napoleon's approaching forces and planned the famous Battle of the Katzbach in 1813. A replica of the commemorative obelisk can be found today on Starojaworska Street in Jawor.