Belovezhskaya Pushcha

Belovezhskaya Pushcha, straddling the border of western Belarus and Poland, is one of the last and largest remnants of the primeval forest that once blanketed lowland Europe, a UNESCO World Heritage site of extraordinary ecological value. Within its vast expanse stand towering ancient oaks, hornbeams and spruces, some centuries old, sheltering a wealth of wildlife. Above all it is the stronghold of the European bison, the wisent, the continent's largest land animal, brought back from the brink of extinction and now roaming here in the largest free herds anywhere. Trails, a nature museum and enclosures let visitors experience this magnificent, primordial woodland.

What you actually see

• The primeval forest - the towering ancient old-growth trees.
• The European bison - the mighty wisent in the largest free herds.
• The wildlife - the deer, boar, wolves and birds of the woods.
• The nature trails - the paths and museum through the reserve.

When to go

May to September brings mild weather and full green canopy for walking and cycling the forest trails, with wildlife active around dawn and dusk; autumn adds golden colour, and winter offers a chance to see bison against the snow. Spring and summer are best for the richest birdsong and greenery.

Honest expectations

The forest is vast and its wild bison roam freely, so sightings in the open woods are never guaranteed, and many visitors see them most reliably in the reserve's enclosures rather than truly wild. As the last great primeval forest of Europe and the stronghold of the mighty wisent, a UNESCO World Heritage wilderness, though, Belovezhskaya Pushcha is a genuinely magnificent and moving place.

Nearby

The town of Kamyanyets with its ancient tower lies near the reserve.