Hajnowski: Discover the primeval forest, trails and culture

Hajnowski brings together nature, trails and culture to help you plan your trip. The Białowieża Forest is the largest forest complex in Hajnowski County and is considered the best-preserved lowland forest in Europe within the deciduous and mixed forest zone. The Białowieża National Park lies within the forest. It covers 10.5 thousand hectares and was established in 1921. This lets you explore the natural landscape both through the forest itself and through its protected park.

Forest and trails: routes and access

The “Kraina Puszczy i Żubra” Nordic Walking Park in Hajnówka has seven marked routes equipped with maps. They range from 3 to 21 km in length. The routes start either at the water park in Hajnówka or at the “Zwierzyniec” car park on regional road 689 between Hajnówka and Białowieża. Before setting out, check information about the trails and access to their starting points.

A longer option is the “Pętla Żubra”: the route is listed as 15 km long, with an approximate duration of three hours. Estimated walking time and trail conditions may vary seasonally. The distance gives you a concrete point of comparison among the available routes; on its own, it says nothing about the level of difficulty.

Conditions also vary from one trail to another in Białowieża National Park. The “Do Dębu Jagiełły” route through the strictly protected area may only be walked with a tourist guide licensed by the park director. Individual visitors, however, can walk the “Carska Tropina”, “Wilczy Szlak”, “Wokół Uroczyska Głuszec” and “Tropem Żubra” trails, as well as the “Przez trzy zbiorowiska” nature trail, without a guide. Confirm the current access rules with the park before your visit.

Crafts, museums and culture

In Hajnówka, the Museum of Blacksmithing and Locksmithing tells the story of a craft tradition that began with a family forge founded in 1927. The collection includes 586 exhibits. During blacksmithing demonstrations, visitors can strike red-hot iron themselves with a hammer; demonstrations are available by prior arrangement. If you plan to take part, arrange your visit in advance.

The Museum and Centre of Belarusian Culture in Hajnówka organizes craft and art workshops, as well as the recurring ethnographic festivals “Kultura na schodach muzeum” and “I tam żywuć ludzi”. As programmes and dates may change, it is best to confirm the details with the museum in advance.

The International Festival Hajnowskie Dni Muzyki Cerkiewnej has been held since 2002 as a week-long competition at the Holy Trinity Cathedral in Hajnówka. If you would like to plan your trip around the festival, check the dates for the relevant edition.

In the Miniature Park of Podlachia’s Monuments, a plaque beside each model explains the history of the building it depicts and related details. The Szlak Pamięci Hajnówki offers a different perspective on Hajnówka’s past: the route leads to traces of past cultures and events that shaped Hajnówka and its residents.

Narrow-gauge railway and audio guide

The tourist narrow-gauge railway lists an 11 km route from Hajnówka to Topiło and another 6 km route from Hajnówka to the valley of the Leśna River, which has operated since 2001. An audio guide in Polish and English covers the railway, the Białowieża Forest and the forest settlement of Topiło. Before travelling, check the season and route, and confirm whether the audio guide is available for your visit.

Find a hotel for your trip to Hajnowski

This way, you can take into account which activities require advance arrangements or a check of the current visitor conditions, and tailor your search for a hotel in Hajnowski to your travel interests.

More destinations

Discover more destinations: Bialowieza, Postołowo, Narewka, Janowo, Krynica, Hajnówka, Tarnopol, Kruhlik, Leśna, Pogorzelce, Kleszczele, Łuka, Dubicze Cerkiewne, Orzeszkowo, Siemianówka, Nowoberezowo, Lewkowo Stare, Trześcianka, Gruzka, Wiluki, Czeremcha.

For the higher-level travel overview: Podlachia.