Beech forests in the Bieszczady Mountains
Beech forests on the UNESCO World Heritage List
If you come to the Bieszczady Mountains in autumn at least once, and only once, when the mountain pastures turn red, the beech forests glow with colours, and the sun, no longer as sharp as in summer, illuminates everything with warm tones, you will remember these views forever. And you will remain hungry for these colours in other seasons.
Anyone who has been to the Bieszczady Mountains in October or November must admit that nowhere in Poland does autumn look as beautiful as here. The previously green forests shimmer with all shades of red and delight the eyes with a whole riot of colors. This is thanks to the ancient beech trees growing on the mountain slopes. In 2021, they were added to the UNESCO World Heritage List. They are in the same league of natural assets as the Great Barrier Reef in Australia, Yellowstone National Park in the USA and, until now, the only one in Poland, the Białowieża Forest.
According to UNESCO, among the 34 new places on the list in 2021, there are only 5 natural assets, including the beech forests in the Bieszczady Mountains.
Read more: Trails in the Bieszczady Mountains
The UNESCO list includes the entry "Ancient and primeval beech forests in the Carpathians and other regions of Europe". Now it includes the Polish part - beech forests in the Bieszczady National Park. As UNESCO informs, these are strictly designated forest complexes, located on the slopes of Połonina Wetlińska, Smerek, in the Terebowiec valley, in the Górna Solinka valley and in the Wołosatka valley.
From the apartments in Bukowe Tarasy you can admire them in all their glory.
Read more: Beech forests in the Bieszczady Mountains on the UNESCO list
Beech trees – symbols of Bieszczady nature
Why are beeches so important to the Bieszczady Mountains?
Beeches are one of the most important trees in the Bieszczady forests. Their dense crowns create an extraordinary atmosphere, and their golden-red leaves in autumn attract tourists and photographers. It is the beech forests that dominate the Bieszczady National Park, giving the landscape a unique character.
Where to find the most beautiful beech trees in the Bieszczady Mountains?
Połonina Wetlińska and Caryńska – on the routes leading to these połoninas you can admire dense beech forests, especially at lower altitudes,
Sine Wiry Nature Reserve – a protected area where beech forests merge with picturesque streams,
The Upper San Valley – one of the least frequented places where you can see wild, ancient beech trees.
Interesting facts about beech trees in the Bieszczady Mountains
Beech trees can reach a height of up to 40 meters and live for over 200 years,
their leaves change color from juicy green in spring, through gold in autumn, to a rusty shade in winter,
Beech wood is extremely durable and was formerly used to build mountain huts.
Beech trees and their importance for the ecosystem
Beech forests are not only the decoration of the Bieszczady Mountains, but also an important element of the ecosystem. They provide shelter for many species of birds and mammals, and their thick layer of fallen leaves creates fertile soil. Beeches also play a key role in water retention, which is important in the mountains, where changing weather conditions can lead to rapid runoff of rainwater.
Admire the beech trees during your stay at Bukowe Tarasy
Our apartments in Wetlina are surrounded by beech forests, so our guests can enjoy their beauty all year round. Book your stay at Bukowe Tarasy and experience the extraordinary harmony of Bieszczady nature!