Rezerwat przyrody Baniska, Nature reserve in Roztoka Ryterska, Poland
The Baniska Reserve protects about 141 hectares of forest in the Beskid Sądecki mountains, situated at elevations between 775 and 1035 meters. The woodland contains European beech, fir, and sycamore maple trees distributed across different altitude zones.
The reserve was established in 1922 to protect the original Carpathian forests after local efforts recognized the need for conservation. The protected area gradually expanded from its initial 17 hectares to the current 141 hectares.
The reserve takes its name from the Bania pond located in the area, reflecting how water bodies shape local naming traditions. Local communities have long regarded these forests as part of their connection to the land.
Visitors can explore the forest through the Rogasiowy educational trail, which has provided access to the reserve since 2005. Walking is best during warmer months when paths are easiest to navigate.
Some beech trees in the reserve are over 200 years old, showing how long these forest inhabitants can live. These ancient trees give visitors a glimpse of what the woodland looked like before modern times.
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