Hajnowski

The Białowieża Primeval Forest is the most important forest complex in Hajnowski County. It is considered Europe’s best-preserved lowland forest in the deciduous and mixed forest zone. The Białowieża National Park lies within the primeval forest. It covers 10.5 thousand hectares and was established in 1921.

The options differ considerably: Hajnówka has marked Nordic walking routes and museums, while some trails in the national park can be walked without a guide and others only with a licensed tourist guide. The local culture can also be explored in concrete ways—for example, in a blacksmith’s workshop, at events or along a memorial trail.

The “Kraina Puszczy i Żubra” Nordic Walking Park in Hajnówka has seven marked routes, with maps available. They range from 3 to 21 km. Their starting points are at the water park in Hajnówka or at the “Zwierzyniec” car park on regional road 689 between Hajnówka and Białowieża. The information about distance and starting point can help you plan a route for your day.

One of the routes is the “Pętla Żubra”: it is listed as 15 km long and taking about three hours. When comparing trails in the national park, note the different access rules: individual visitors can walk “Carska Tropina,” “Wilczy Szlak,” “Wokół Uroczyska Głuszec” and “Tropem Żubra,” as well as the “Przez trzy zbiorowiska” nature trail, without a guide.

The rules are different for “Do Dębu Jagiełły,” a route through the strictly protected area of Białowieża National Park. It may only be walked under the supervision of a tourist guide licensed by the park director. So if you are considering this route, a guided visit is required.

The Museum of Blacksmithing and Locksmithing grew out of a family forge founded in 1927 and has 586 exhibits. Blacksmithing demonstrations are held there; visitors can try striking red-hot iron with a hammer themselves. The visit thus combines the collection with a hands-on insight into the craft.

The Belarusian Museum and Cultural Centre in Hajnówka organizes handicraft and art workshops, as well as the recurring ethnographic festivals “Kultura na schodach muzeum” and “I tam żywuć ludzi.” Another way to explore local history is the Szlak Pamięci Hajnówki (Hajnówka Memorial Trail): its route leads to traces of past cultures and events that shaped Hajnówka and its residents.

At the Miniature Park of Podlachia’s Monuments, a plaque beside each model provides information about the history of the building depicted and related features. Those interested in the tourist narrow-gauge railway can use an audio guide in Polish or English. It covers the railway, the Białowieża Primeval Forest and the forest settlement of Topiło. The route from Hajnówka to Topiło is 11 km long; since 2001, there has also been a 6 km route from Hajnówka to the valley of the Leśna River.

Music is also part of the cultural programme: since 2002, the International Festival Hajnowskie Dni Muzyki Cerkiewnej has been held as a week-long competition in the Holy Trinity Cathedral in Hajnówka.

For further orientation around the area, you can also find Gruzka, Wiluki, Czeremcha, Trześcianka, Lewkowo Stare, Nowoberezowo, Orzeszkowo, Siemianówka, Dubicze Cerkiewne, Łuka, Kleszczele, Pogorzelce, Hajnówka, Tarnopol, Kruhlik, Leśna, Krynica, Janowo, Postołowo, Narewka and Bialowieza.

How long is the “Pętla Żubra”?

The route is listed as 15 km long and taking about three hours.

Which trails in the national park can be walked without a guide?

Individual visitors can walk “Carska Tropina,” “Wilczy Szlak,” “Wokół Uroczyska Głuszec” and “Tropem Żubra,” as well as the “Przez trzy zbiorowiska” nature trail, without a guide.

How long are the narrow-gauge railway routes?

The route from Hajnówka to Topiło is 11 km; the route from Hajnówka to the valley of the Leśna River, which has been in operation since 2001, is 6 km long.

For the broader travel overview: Podlachia.