Stužica, National nature reserve in Snina District, Slovakia.
Stuzica is a nature reserve in the Outer Eastern Carpathians that spans around 761 hectares of beech forest across elevations from 620 to 1,208 meters (2,034 to 3,963 feet). The woods alternate between denser and more open sections, creating different habitats and a wide range of animal and plant life.
The area gained protection in 1908 and became an official nature reserve in 1993. Its addition to the UNESCO World Heritage list in 2007 recognized its significance as one of Europe's oldest unmanaged beech forests.
This forest is an important part of a cross-border natural heritage that connects Slovakia, Poland, and Ukraine together. Visitors sense how the place protects nature across political boundaries.
Access is via marked hiking trails starting from Nova Sedlica village, with a loop route covering about 19 kilometers. Visitors should bring sturdy hiking shoes and weather-resistant clothing, as the forest offers changing conditions across different elevations.
The forest contains trees at all stages of life, from young seedlings to specimens older than 200 years. This natural mixture shows how the woods regenerate on their own without human intervention.
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