Nature Reserves in Belarus

• Belovezhskaya Pushcha is a national park in western Belarus.
• Visitors can use designated car, cycling and hiking routes, as well as ecological trails.
• The park offers a nature museum, animal enclosures and photography tours.
• Trails and permitted activities are governed by the rules of each protected area.

“Protected area” encompasses different types of areas. In Belovezhskaya Pushcha National Park, designated routes pass through accessible visitor areas; signs and local rules determine where the routes go. Car, cycling and hiking routes differ in mode of transport and length. In other protected areas in Belarus, the available trails and visitor facilities are tailored to the local landscape. Protected areas and national parks therefore encompass a range of landscapes.

Belovezhskaya Pushcha is a large ancient forest in the west of the country. The visitor facilities mentioned include a nature museum, animal enclosures, organized photography tours, and car, cycling and hiking routes. A hike or bike ride can be combined with a visit to the museum or a photography tour.

Marked routes let visitors experience the forest, while the ecological trails combine nature observation with environmental education. The choice between hiking, cycling, driving, visiting the museum and taking an organized photography tour depends on the time available and the activity desired. In sensitive areas of the forest, visitors must follow the signposted trails and local access restrictions.

The national park is in western Belarus. Brest and Grodno are regional reference points for planning your route. The western forest landscape is a separate leg of the journey from a trip around the country or visits to the lakes in the east and north, including the Belarusian lakes.

Belarus’ protected areas include forests, marshes, floodplains and lakes. Pushcha represents ancient forest in the west, while lakes and wetlands encompass other water and marsh landscapes. Belarusian lakes, rivers and waterfalls, and peaceful nature getaways each offer other trips a focus on nature or relaxation. Trails and permitted activities are subject to the rules of the specific area.

Cities can be combined with a nature getaway if travel distances fit within the available time. Minsk is inland and makes for a different leg of the trip than the western national park. Gomel is another part of the journey, with its own urban and cultural attractions. You should therefore also set aside a separate period for a stay in Gomel. History and memorial sites and cities and architecture suit a trip focused on culture. In the north, Lake Narach is another nature destination.

Several border crossings with Poland, Lithuania and Latvia, as well as all crossings with Ukraine, are closed. The open crossings for passenger traffic to these neighboring countries cannot be crossed on foot or by bicycle; the Bruzgi–Kuźnica crossing is open to passenger cars only. Further temporary closures and restrictions on permitted modes of transport are possible. Non-Belarusian credit cards can be used only to a limited extent. These conditions affect travel to the national park and onward travel within the country.

The route to the park depends on the border crossing selected and how you travel within Belarus. For an overnight stay near a destination, you can compare accommodation in Belarus and Eastern Europe by location and amenities. Include the park visit, driving and breaks in your travel checklist and schedule. Documents and reservations are part of your travel preparations; other holiday ideas can be added as extra stops on a nature trip.

What types of accommodation are available in the Belovezhskaya Pushcha area?

There are hotels and guesthouses in the park area. Staying there lets you combine your visit with the national park’s designated routes and visitor facilities.