Bukowica Nature Reserve

Bukowica Nature Reserve in Babice municipality, in Chrzanów County, covers 22.76 ha and was established on 19 February 1987. It lies less than a kilometre north of road 780 from Chełmek to Kraków. It protects a fragment of Carpathian beech woodland with old beech trees.

Nature

The hill is built of Triassic limestones and dolomites with thin layers of shale. On the rock outcrop several small cave openings can be seen. Among 22 species of trees and shrubs beech dominates. 171 species of vascular plants have been counted, including six species of orchid and 13 species of mountain plants. About 30 species of birds nest here, mainly woodland ones: chaffinches, robins, woodpeckers and flycatchers.

Practical information

• Two marked trails, green and yellow, lead through the reserve, joining the educational trail around Babice and Wygiełzów.
• Nearby is Lipowiec Castle, about 2.9 km away.
• Nature protection rules apply in the reserve, so keep to the trails.