Białowieża Forest...

...the Land of the Bison covers a very picturesque area in the north-eastern part of Poland.
The Białowieża Forest is a forest complex that is unique on a European scale; the area is inhabited by Europe’s largest land mammal – the bison. The most valuable natural features are protected in the Białowieski National Park, which is on the UNESCO World Heritage List. In 2008, the Białowieża Forest participated in the competition entitled „New 7 Wonders of Nature” in the category of forests, reserves and national parks organized by the Swiss foundation called „New 7 Wonders”. It is worth visiting the objects of the Białowieski National Park in Białowieża, namely the Modern Nature – Forest Museum, the European bison Show Reserve, the strict protection reserve (visits with the guide only) and the Palace Park.
In the Białowieża Forest and in its neighborhood, there are many attractive tourist trails, both for cycling (including a transborder one) and for hiking as well as educational trails. You can go for a ride in an old narrow-gauge railway or in a britzka, or ride a horse in the forest. The rich flora and fauna and the clean environment make it an ideal area for active and natural tourism. The valleys of the Narew and Narewka Rivers and the Siemianówka, Bachmaty and Repczyce lakes invite for leisure on the water and lure nature lovers, anglers and ornithologists.
The region of the Białowieża Forest is also an interesting place as regards culture. You can see old wooden folk buildings with rich decorations, old Catholic and Orthodox churches, roadside shrines and crosses. Here, you can feel the unique ambience of the borderland region where three different cultures: Polish, Belorussian, Ukrainian and two religions: Catholic and Orthodox meet. In many villages, there are folk artistic groups and folk bands, as well as craftsman’s workshops that produce traditional folk artistic objects. There are numerous festivals and festivities organized in the neighborhood, such as the International Days of Orthodox Music in Hajnówka.
Having experienced natural and cultural attractions, you can taste regional culinary specialties: pierogi (dumplings), babka ziemniaczana (a kind of potato cake with onion and bacon), game dishes with regional herbs, dishes with mushrooms, honey from the forest, regional cheese and cake called marcinek. The region offers the whole variety of hotels, boarding houses and agrotourism accommodation, which will satisfy even the most demanding tourists.
The region of the Białowieża Forest is every year visited by numerous tourists, Polish and foreign alike. For many years, this is the place where well-known politicians and artists have come to have some rest. Among the most famous guests we can mention Prince Philip, the husband of Queen Elizabeth II, who came here to hunt. It is said that the British Royal Family are planning to visit the region this year.
The ambassador of the Białowieża Forest is Włodzimierz Cimoszewicz, a senator of the Republic of Poland, who lives here and promotes the region in the country and abroad.
Many people who come here for the first time are so delighted with the nature and culture of the region that they willingly return.
We do invite you to the Białowieża Forest!

Office of the District Authorities in Hajnówka
Tourism Center of the Białowieża Forest Region
45, 3 go Maja St
Phone: +48 85 682 43 81, +48 85 682 51 41
E-mail: turytyka@powiat.hajnowka.pl
www.powiat.hajnowka.pl 
Open from May to September
between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m.
from Monday to Saturday;
from October to April between 7.30 a.m.
and 3.30 p.m. from Monday to Friday.