Havešová

Havešová is a nature reserve spanning roughly 167 hectares of protected forest in the Bukovské Mountains of eastern Slovakia. The area contains beech trees along with sycamore, ash, and wych elm species, supporting the animal populations that inhabit the woodland.

The area received official protected status in 1964 and gained UNESCO World Heritage recognition in 2007 for its natural value. These designations reflect the long-standing commitment to safeguard the forest from development and harm.

The forest draws researchers and school groups today who come to study the intact woodland landscape as it has existed for centuries. Walking among the towering trees creates a sense of stepping into a place largely untouched by time.

Access is via marked trails from Snina, making it straightforward for visitors to explore the forest paths on their own. Wear sturdy footwear and watch the weather, as conditions in the woodland can change quickly.

Some of the tallest beech trees in the world grow here, with individual specimens reaching 56 meters in height. This extraordinary scale lets visitors grasp just how old and robust this particular woodland really is.