Top 10 Outstanding Facts about Belovezhskaya Pushha

Photo by Metselaar, J. from Wikimedia

Top 10 Outstanding Facts about Belovezhskaya Pushha

Belovezhskaya Pushcha National Park is a national park within parts of the Brest Region in Belarus adjacent to the Polish border. Since 1992 it is a preserved part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site Białowieża Forest.

The is the home to the last primeval forest fragment of the European woodlands that once stretched across the European Plain. It is one of the most visited destinations in Belarus and attracts over 300,000 visitors annually.

Belovezhskaya Pushcha will provide a wonderful opportunity for unforgettable recreation for everyone who likes to travel, discover new corners of nature, spend free time with health benefits, and takes interest in past events.

 1. It is located in Białowieża Forest

Photo by Metselaar, J. from Wikimedia

Belovezhskaya Pushha national park is located within Białowieża Forest which is at the border between Belarus and Poland. It is one of the last and largest remaining parts of the immense primeval forest that once stretched across the European Plain.

On the Belarusian side, the forest is protected as the Belavezhskaya Pushcha National Park with an area of 1,771. The forest is home to 800 European bison, Europe’s heaviest land animal.

Since the border between the two countries runs through the forest, there is a border crossing available for hikers and cyclists.

2. Belovezhskaya Pushha  is Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site 

Photo by Alexxx1979 from Wikimedia

Since 1992  Białowieża Forest, is a preserved part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is the last primeval forest fragment of the European woodlands that once stretched across the European Plain.

In 1993 Belovezhskaya Pushcha received the status of a biosphere reserve, and at the end of 1997, the Council of Europe awarded it with the European Diploma as one of the benchmark nature protection institutions on the continent.

It is home to a large population of European bison, the continent’s heaviest land animals. Since May 2015 there has been a visa-free regime within the forest for hikers and cyclists at the Pierarova-Białowieża border.

3.  Visit the Nature Museum of the National Park

The Nature Museum of the National Park is one of the largest and best museums in the Republic of Belarus in terms of its design and collection richness, it attracts around 150,000 visitors a year.

The museum has 3 large and 2 small themed halls with a total area of ​​1320 square meters, which are mainly represented by the collections of individual elements of trees from all parts of the world.

It also displays photographs of natural, historical, and cultural sites of Belovezhskaya Pushcha. The museum recreates the ancient trees and species of animals that disappeared from the forest many years ago.

4. Hike through Białowieża Forest

Photo by ForestWander from Wikimedia

For those who like personal interaction with nature, The Park offers three different routes for hikers. They are Dokudovo, lake rote, and the northern pass.

Dried up in the 1960s “Dokudovo” swamp is a favorite place for wild ungulates feeding. In the morning and evening hours, you can see grazing bison, deer, roe, and wild boars, watch birds, among which large predators attract attention.

The lake route passes, mainly, through pine, spruce, and black alder forests, which alternate with open areas of the flood plain of the Pravaya Lesnaya River, swamps, small glades, and abandoned gardens.

5. Go Fishing at the Park

For those who like fishing, there are various lakes in the park which are permitted to for recreational fishing. The Lakes are extremely diverse and are located in different parts of the park.

The lakes are treasure troves of different types of fish. The most common species are pike, perch, roach, ruff, bream, tench, and rudd. Carp, crucian carp, grass carp, and silver carp.

For lovers of water recreation, rowing and motor boats are provided, and commercial hunting and various types of games can also be organized.

The park provides fishing equipment to be delivered to remote fishing locations by boats at a reasonable fee. The use of personal watercraft is also allowed.

6.  Dine at the Park’s Restaurant

The restaurant “Belovezhskaya Pushcha” is located in the central manor of the national park. The restaurant has 6 halls that are decorated in different styles and it has a capacity of 250 people.

The menu of the restaurant offers dishes of Belarusian and European cuisine, as well as original specialties and game dishes. The cozy atmosphere and live music create a pleasant atmosphere for relaxation.

The restaurant also offers careering services for Birthday parties, weddings receptions banquets, corporate events, or any other social event. 

7. Camp at Park’s Picnic Sites

Belovezhskaya Pushha has two camping and picnics sites which are located within the park. Plyanta camping site is situated 3 km from the park’s central gate while “Lava- lake” is 5kms away from the main gate.

The two Recreation spots are suitable for up to 20 guests and are located near a water reservoir. They both have parking areas for the cars, enclosed campfire spots, a barbecue, wooden tent flooring, a pavilion with a table and benches, and an outdoor toilet.

You can also rent tents, skewers, pots, sports inventory, bicycles, and other camping and picnic equipments.

8. Rent  a Mountain bike at the Park

Photo by Lasse Enevoldsen from Wikimedia

In order for Belovezhskaya Pushcha to provide good conditions for active recreational activities, the park has two rental centers for sports and camping gear.

The centers are located at the central entrance to the national park and visitors can rent all kinds of sporting equipment including adult and children’s mountain bikes. They are also given a biking route map with a description of the landmarks along the route.

Other types of equipment available for hire include  ski boots, children’s electro mobiles, roller skates, tents, sleeping bags, and fishing rods, 

9. Take a bus Tour around the Park

The easiest way to tour the park is by taking one of the two daily scheduled bus tours. The tour takes about three hours and the guides use the Russian language.

At least 55 mammal species, including deer, lynx, boar, wild horse, wolf, elk, ermine, badger, marten, otter, mink, and beaver, call this park home, You have a chance to spot these animals in the wild on a bus tour of the park.

 About half of the tour is spent at a relatively interesting open-air ethnographic museum, which is located within the park.

10. Visit the Residence of the Father Frost 

The Residence of Father Frost is an integral part of the visit to the Belovezhskaya Pushcha. A magical immersion in the world of fantasy will be interesting both for adults and children.

In the residence, you can plunge into the magical fascinating world created by skillful woodcarvers’ hands. 

The Residence of Father Frost is one the most famous tourist destination in the park and attracts about 150,000 people annually.