Augustów Primeval Forest

The Augustów Primeval Forest is one of the largest continuous forests in Poland: more than 114,000 hectares on the Polish side of the border and about 160,000 including the parts in Lithuania and Belarus. Lakes, peat bogs and rivers lie hidden among its pine woods, and wolves, lynx, elk and, since 2018, free-roaming European bison live here.

The forest in numbers

The forest roughly fills the area between Lipsk, Sztabin, Białobrzegi, Raczki, Suwałki and the Lithuanian border. To the east it merges with forests in Lithuania and Belarus to form a complex of 250,000–310,000 hectares. Pine woods make up about 85% of the area, and pine accounts for over 70% of the trees, including a valued local strain known as Augustów pine. Trees 30–40 metres tall are not unusual.

A watershed runs through the forest: around 40% of it drains via the Rospuda and Blizna into the Vistula, and 60% via the Czarna Hańcza, Marycha and Wołkuszanka into the Neman. Lakes in the forest include Wigry, Sajno, Białe Augustowskie, Necko, Studzieniczne, Serwy and Blizno. This is one of the coldest lowland regions of Poland: in Suwałki snow lies on average about 100 days a year.

History: from the Yotvingians to royal hunts

Until the 13th century the forest was home to the Yotvingians, a Baltic people. After they were wiped out, the woods stayed almost empty for a long time, and new settlers only arrived in the 15th century. In the mid-16th century the forest became royal property and a hunting ground for aurochs, bison, elk, deer and bears.

In 1986 special forestry rules, known as the "Forest Statute", were adopted for the area. Among other things, the felling age for pines was raised to 140 years, and these rules became a model for forestry across Poland.

Wildlife

• Mammals: wolves (59–63 animals in 10 packs in 2015), lynx, elk, red deer, beavers and otters. In 2017 the first four European bison were brought from the Borki Forest, and in spring 2018 they were released into the wild.
• Birds: 215 species have been recorded, including white-tailed eagles, lesser spotted eagles, capercaillie, Tengmalm's owls and pygmy owls.
• Plants: northern relict species such as dwarf birch, yew, bog bilberry and sundews.
• Protection: 13 nature reserves and Wigry National Park in the northern part of the forest.

Tripto tip

The forest is open all year, and Augustów is the most convenient place to start. The Augustów Canal with its historic locks runs through the woods, and the valleys of the Czarna Hańcza and Rospuda are classic kayaking routes. For a day trip, pick one area, for example around lakes Studzieniczne and Serwy, as the forest is far too large to see in one go. Bring mosquito and tick repellent, and stay on marked paths in the reserves.