Green Velo

The excursion from Narewka to Białowieża gives you the opportunity to directly encounter the natural and cultural wealth of the Białowieża Forest, as well as experience hospitality and courtesy, which are keenly felt in the Podlasie region. The Sioło Budy Open Air Museum, the Bison Display Preserve, the Nature and Forest Museum, the Saint Nicholas Orthodox Church in Białowieża, as well as close encounters with Białowieża European bison, are only a few of the attractions on the trail. The proposed excursion allows you to gain vitality and to become sensitised to ecological problems.

The starting point of the proposed excursion is Narewka, called “the green land of good winds”. Through the last remaining natural lowland riparian forest and the kingdom of the European bison – the largest mammal in Europe – you will reach the Bison Display Preserve through Budy and Teremiski. There is a Tourist Information Point located at the entrance to the Białowieża National Park. After visiting the selected sites that the Białowieża National Park offers, you should head to the “green land” again.

Route:

• Narewka (0 km)
• Stoczek (1.2 km)
• Budy Leśne (13 km)
• Budy (14 km)
• Teremiski (16.5 km)
• European Bison Display Preserve (21.2 km)
• Białowieża (26.5 km)
• Pogorzelce (30.8 km)
• Janowo (45 km)
• Narewka (46.5 km)

Route options:
A detour is possible at kilometre 24 of the route; turn right from the route to Białowieża to the so-called Place of Power of the ancient Slavs. It makes the route longer by about 8 kilometres, but people sensitive to it subtle powers may feel an indescribable sensation, only experienced by a few. Another possibility is to ride to Narewka by the red Stork Trail and turn right at kilometre 42 of the route to visit the office of the Browsk Forest Inspectorate.

Surface:

• Asphalt: approx. 30%
• Sands, clays and gravel roads: 70%
• The surface leaves much to be desired, especially between the sacred spot of Stara Białowieża and Narewka

Marked route:

• The route combines several bike trails in the Białowieża Forest
• Narewka – Budy: bike trail to Lady Forest, marked according to PTTK standards with blue markings
• Pogorzelce – Bison Display Preserve – Białowieża: Green Velo, marked with orange and yellow signs of the Białowieża Transborder Trail
• Białowieża – Narewka: Green Velo, which runs along the Podlasie Stork Trail, marked with red markings

Tourist attractions on the trial:

• Narewka Municipality – often called the “green land of good winds”. Why “green?” The explanation jumps into mind immediately after arriving here and seeing how close you are to the Białowieża Forest and Białowieża National Park. The “good winds” are for sailors – every season is windy, which creates perfect conditions for sailing.
• Białowieża National Park – the remarkable Białowieża Forest lies in two countries: Poland and Belarus. Its most precious part is the strictly protected area in the Rezerwat Protective District. It is also necessary to visit the palace park, which in the past surrounded the palace of Tsar Alexander III. Around 90 different species of trees and shrubs from Europe, Asia and North America can be seen here.