Białowieża Forest, Primeval forest reserve in Podlaskie Voivodeship, Poland and Brest and Grodno Oblasts, Belarus
Białowieża Forest is a primeval woodland straddling the Poland–Belarus border, covering 141,885 ha as a UNESCO World Heritage site. Pines make up 59.3% of the tree cover, with spruces reaching 50 m and oaks, ashes and pines 250–350 years old; the average tree age is 81 years. The border runs through the forest, with a crossing for hikers and cyclists.
Kings used this area from the 15th century as hunting grounds and issued protective regulations to preserve game. After World War I, the woodland was divided between two countries and gained international protection status in the following decades.
The name derives from the nearby village and recalls the time when these woods served as royal hunting grounds. Wooden buildings at the edge still display traditional regional construction, while trails pass through areas where foresters have worked for generations.
Marked paths lead through the Polish side, some requiring guide accompaniment in certain protected zones. Accommodation and information centers sit in the nearby village, which serves as a starting point for tours.
Bison roam freely through parts of the woodland after dying out here in the early 20th century and being reintroduced later. Visitors can sometimes observe these large animals from viewing points, especially in winter when foliage has fallen.
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