Forest Educational Trail near Berezyna: Glass Beehive and Forest Bookstore

About the route

The Forest Educational Trail is a short route that Zhytomyr forestry workers opened in July 2021 right by the M-06 Kyiv — Chop highway, between the villages of Berezyna and Kmytiv, about 20 km from Zhytomyr. The length of the trail is 2 km and 10 m, it features 12 equipped stops, and it takes an hour to walk it. Admission is free. This is a good stop along the way to stretch your legs, show children the forest up close, and take a break from the highway.

A glass beehive where the work of bees is visible — Glass beehive on the trail. Photo: Suspilne Zhytomyr

What is on the trail

The entrance is marked by a wooden gate with the inscription "Forest Educational Trail". Along the route, there are stands about forest inhabitants — you can genuinely encounter a roe deer, hare, fox, or even a moose here. One of the stops is the "Forest Bookstore": a bench and a shelf with books among the pines where you can sit and read.

The most interesting part for children is the section about beneficial insects featuring a glass beehive: through the glass, you can see how a bee family works.

A bench and a shelf with books among the pines — "Forest Bookstore". Photo: Suspilne Zhytomyr

The trail passes through the tracts of the Stanyshivske forestry and past the base forest nursery. About 500,000 pine seedlings and 100,000 each of spruce and larch are grown here, along with cassette seedlings in the greenhouse. Forestry workers gladly explain how a forest grows from a small sapling.

Who made it

The trail was equipped by the Zhytomyr Forestry (now part of "Forests of Ukraine"). At the time, forestry workers mentioned that such trails and recreation areas would also appear near other highways in the region. In 2023, nearby in the same Berezivska hromada, "Forests of Ukraine" opened the first recreational point of the national program in Ukraine — featuring gazebos, parking, and barbecue grills.

How to get there

The trail is at the 124th kilometre of the M-06 highway near Berezyna, next to a roadside cafe and parking lot. From Zhytomyr, it is about 20 minutes by car. The track on the map is approximate: the trail itself is not yet on maps, so upon arrival, look for the gate and stands. Before the trip, it is worth checking with the forestry enterprise whether any restrictions on visiting the forest are in effect.

Before you go

Polissia is flat: there are hardly any climbs, but there are swamps, sandy roads and long stretches of forest with no mobile signal and no water. Plan on 4 km per hour, 3 km on sand and rough ground.

Water. There are few springs, and water from rivers and swamps is not safe to drink. Take at least 1.5 litres per person per day; you can refill in villages — at a shop or ask at a well.

Swamps and floodplains. Do not leave the trail in wet places: peat bogs and floating mats can be deep. In spring after floods and in autumn after rain some roads may be under water.

Ticks and mosquitoes. From April to October wear covered clothing, use tick repellent and check yourself after the walk. In June–July there are many mosquitoes and horseflies near swamps.

Fire danger. In summer forests are often closed to visitors because of fire danger — check announcements of the forestry or community. Do not make fires outside designated places.

Explosive objects. Since 2022 mines and munitions may be found in the forests of northern Kyiv, Chernihiv, Sumy and Zhytomyr regions. Stay on well-used paths and roads and do not pick anything up. If you see a suspicious object, keep away, mark the place and call 101 or 102.

Signal and navigation. Mobile signal in the forests is weak. Download the GPX track and an offline map before you go, take a power bank and tell your family where you are going and when you will be back.

Chornobyl zone. The exclusion zone is closed to free visits — do not enter it without an official permit.

Emergency: 112 — free from any phone.