The Augustów Forest — the largest forest in Poland

What the forest is

The Augustów Forest is the largest continuous woodland in Poland, continuing across the border into Lithuania and Belarus. Pine and mixed woodland dominate, cut through by numerous lakes, rivers and peat bogs. The Augustów Canal runs through the forest, and Wigry National Park lies on its edge.

The forest is thinly populated and is regarded as one of the quietest and most natural areas in Poland — a place to rest far from the noise.

What you can do

• Cycling — several hundred kilometres of waymarked routes, including along the Augustów Canal
• Mushroom picking — the season runs roughly August to October
• Walking and Nordic walking — paths through the forest and along the lakes
• Cross-country skiing in winter — trails when there is snow

Where it is and some advice

The forest begins practically on the edge of Augustów, so many routes can be started straight from the town. It is worth taking a walking or cycling map, as the network of paths is dense and the area large and thinly populated. In summer mosquito protection helps, and in the mushroom season sturdy footwear.

How to get there and practical info

Location

Around Augustów, as far as the Lithuanian and Belarusian border

Access

The trails begin on the edge of Augustów

Cycling

Several hundred kilometres of waymarked routes

Mushroom season

Roughly August to October

Winter

Cross-country ski trails when there is snow

What to bring

A map, mosquito protection and sturdy footwear

When to go