Sustainable Tourism in European Forests

How to behave in the forest?

When in a forest, there are certain rules to follow, if you want to experience full enjoyment and ensure the same for its inhabitants. You shouldn’t leave any garbage behind, as the smallest peace of trash can present danger for the animals. Stay on marked trails because by wandering off the trodden path you can damage the plants and contribute to greater trail erosion. Even the slightest damage of the bark can prevent the tree from growing. You should also watch after your dog and make sure they don’t go chasing after an animal. You also shouldn’t pet wild animals. It’s also important that you don’t eat too many berries and mushrooms because forest animals love them too. And don’t forget – if you remain completely silent, you’ll be rewarded with forest animal encounters. It’s also true, though, that staying completely silent can be dangerous, too, as it can prevent a bear from noticing you and avoiding you.

The history of European forests

The whole Europe was once covered by forest that consisted predominantly of oak. In the last 6,000 years, more than half of that forest disappeared due to the actions of humans. Only a little over two fifths of the continent are now covered by forests, and few of them are virgin forests, but the forest area is still increasing due to the former agricultural lands being heavily overgrown. Between 1990 and 2015, the forest cover increased by an area the size of Portugal. Forests have always had a mystical significance for people. They were once regarded as the border between this world and the afterlife, and were seen as a dangerous place of magic, which was why only the bravest adventure-seekers dared enter the woodlands, especially at night. There were mysterious creatures living in the dark woods, such as fairies, witches and monsters that children would often listen about in long winter evenings and which they certainly didn’t want to encounter.

Europe’s most beautiful forests

The remaining old-growth or virgin forest of Europe can be most easily seen in Białowieża Forest, which is a large forest reserve on the border of Poland and Belarus. It’s still home to wolves and European bison. Some trees, like spruces, oaks and ash, have reached over six-hundred years. Dead trees, on the other hand, are vital for biodiversity. Interestingly, the forest was first protected as a game reserve in the 14th century. The goal was to protect the European bison, which then faced extinction anyway, but was later successfully reintroduced. There are more than 900 European bison living in the forest now. The latter, however, is now threatened by deforestation.

Kočevje is a region in southern Slovenia, dominated by forests. These vast forests are home to certain cultural features and wild beasts, which you can encounter with the help of an experienced guide. There’s a special two-day forest hike you can take part in. You can climb up into a hunter’s perch and observe bears, wolves and lynxes. You’ll even learn about some of Slovenia’s tallest and thickest trees. In the depths of all the greenery, there’s Lake Kočevje, a habitat for various plant and animal species. There are stories of the people waiting for you at Fridrihštajn Castle and Kostel Castle.

In northern Europe, there’s an almost endless stretch of taiga, consisting mostly of spruce, fir and pine trees. But a word of warning – if you’re planning on exploring these forests, you should keep in mind that the temperatures can drop below zero for up to six months. And you should also pay attention to numerous wetlands. Animals you can encounter there are lynxes and weasels, but you can also run into a moose. This is also the place where the battle for survival is learned and then passed onto the next generation. Part of this taiga also includes Europe’s largest old-growth forest known as the Virgin Komi Forests, which is located in the Ural Mountains in Russia. The forests have been threatened by mining activities in the recent years. In north-eastern Finland, in the Kainuu region, the effort to preserve nature and cultural diversity under the Wild Taiga programme is part of the local tourism. The participants in the programme are mostly small family companies and they don’t take tourists on snowmobile tours. Instead, they offer tours by dog sleds as well as reindeer riding and sledding. These companies are aware that pristine nature is their greatest treasure. The region’s restaurants and cafés offer a wide variety of locally sourced dishes made using organic and local ingredients, such as berries, game and mushrooms. Visitors are constantly in touch with the area’s cultural diversity, even with the help of numerous festivals.

There’s a forested mountain range called Schwarzwald or Black Forest in Germany. It got its name becuase of the thick tree canopies, which resulted in very dark forest floor. The forest has everything, from evergreen trees to mysterious mountains and charming villages that conjure up the atmosphere of the bygone days when foresters still roamed in the forests. There’s a special tourist card that gives you free access to more than 80 attractions in Schwarzwald, which is an excellent opportunity to explore the region’s history and culture. Also don’t miss out on the falls near Triberg, which consist of several small waterfalls with a total descent of 163 metres.

Triberg is also home to the area’s main museum that focuses on the stories of the locals. One of the area’s most beautiful towns is Schiltach at the confluence of three rivers. The main attraction are the traditional German countryside houses. The people living in the entire region are very attached to the forest, which is evident by their art, as they can make wonderful things from wood. The most famous are the skilfully crafted cuckoo clocks. There are a number of farmers where you can buy homemade products, including delicious cheese.

Where to stay in the forests?

There are some excellent HI hostels located in the silent forests, which offer space for walks and contemplation. One such example is the YHA New Forest, which is located in the area of one of the last forests of south England. The hostel is situated in a typical English farm house, close to the beach in Bournemouth. And, of course, plenty accommodation opportunities can be found in Europe’s most forested country, Finland. North of the Arctic Circle is the Hostel Visatupa, which is actually a dairy farm. It’s a perfect place for a getaway by the lake in the middle of the taiga. You can explore the area on foot, by bike or on skis, and you relax in the sauna in the evening. Of course, you can also learn a lot about dairy production.