The Augustów Forest is the largest forest in Poland. Lakes, pine forests, Augustów Canal. Slow travel through the Suwałki region.
Why it's worth it
The Augustów Forest is the largest forest in Poland — about 1,600 km², stretching between Augustów and the border with Belarus and Lithuania, in the Podlaskie voivodeship. This is a forest that has preserved its primeval character: pines, oaks, spruces, birches, with lakes, rivers, and peat bogs in between. The Augustów Forest is a refuge for game: wolves, lynxes, moose, beavers, otters live here, and among birds — white-tailed eagles, lesser spotted eagles, cranes. Add to that the Augustów Canal — a unique technical monument from the 19th century, linking the Vistula with the Neman.
Slow travel through the Augustów Forest is a journey through a landscape that surprises with its wildness. The forest is vast, and villages within it are sparse. It is worth spending 3–4 days here to truly feel this landscape. The best way to explore the forest is by kayak, bike, or on foot — there are about 500 km of hiking and cycling trails and kayak routes (Czarna Hańcza, Augustów Canal). Public transport from Augustów is good (buses, trains).
What to see
The Augustów Forest is divided into three main parts: the northern part (Augustów Canal), the central part (Czarna Hańcza), and the southern part (lakes). Exploring the forest takes 3–4 days.
Northern part
- Augustów Canal — a 19th-century technical monument, with numerous locks. Worth it for architecture.
- Augustów — a town on the canal, with a market square and church. Worth it as a base.
- Augustów Lock — the largest lock on the canal. Worth it for architecture.
Central part
- Czarna Hańcza — a river, one of the most beautiful kayak routes in Poland. Worth it for kayaking.
- Frącki village — a village in the forest, with a wooden church. Worth it for the atmosphere.
- “Capercaillie” reserve — a reserve in the forest, a refuge for capercaillie. Worth it for nature.
Southern part
- Lake Sajno — a lake in the forest, with crystal-clear water. Worth it for swimming.
- Lake Studzieniczne — a lake on the Augustów Canal, with numerous bays. Worth it for kayaking.
- Studziany Las village — a village in the forest, with a wooden church. Worth it for the atmosphere.
When to go
- May and June — the best time for slow travel. Warm, green, few tourists.
- July–August — kayak and beach season. Worth it for kayaking, but crowded in Augustów.
- September–October — second best. Autumn colours, fewer people, mushroom picking in the forest.
- November–March — the forest is sleepy in winter, many attractions closed. Worth it for those seeking silence.
Getting there
- By car: ~1.5 hours from Białystok (DK8), ~4 hours from Warsaw (S8), ~3 hours from Olsztyn (DK16).
- By train: Augustów has a railway station, with connections from Białystok and Warsaw.
- By bus: PKS serves Augustów and larger villages in the area.
The Augustów Forest is best explored by kayak, bike, or car — the forest is vast, and public transport between villages can be sparse. Leave the car at the car park in Augustów.
How much time you need
A weekend (2 days) is the minimum — Augustów Canal, Czarna Hańcza.
Three days is realistic for a first visit. Augustów Canal, Czarna Hańcza, Lake Sajno, Studzieniczna.
A week lets you explore the whole forest — from Augustów to Sejny, with numerous stops.
What to eat and where to sleep
- Sielawa — dried fish, a Suwałki classic.
- Kartacze — potato dumplings with meat, a Suwałki classic.
- Trout from the Czarna Hańcza — from local farms, available at inns.
- Goat cheeses — from local farms, available in village shops.
Accommodation: Augustów (town, more options), Suwałki (town, more options), Sejny (small town, guesthouses), villages (agritourism).
Practical tips
- Guided tours — the forest has rich nature and history, take a guide.
- Kayaks — Czarna Hańcza is one of the most beautiful kayak routes in Poland. Rentals in Augustów and Frącki.
- Shopping — buy honey, cheese, and cold cuts directly from farmers.
- Augustów Canal — locks operate in season (May–September). Check opening hours.
- Weather — Suwałki region weather can be changeable, even in July bring a jacket.
- Signal — good in towns, weaker in the forest. Have an offline map.