Which regions allow forest visitation for regular citizens: permissions, prohibitions, and restrictions

Summer is in full swing, yet the coolness and freshness of the forest, the enjoyment of its resources, and exploring wooded areas remain inaccessible to residents of many regions in Ukraine.

We have learned if there have been any changes in the forest visitation rules in different regions compared to the previous year, as mentioned in the previous publication.

Visiting the forest is prohibited

Visiting the forest is prohibited in 14 regions of Ukraine (according to the decisions of regional military administrations). These include Vinnytsia, Volyn, Dnipropetrovsk, Donetsk, Zaporizhia, Kyiv, Kirovohrad, Mykolaiv, Odesa, Poltava, Sumy, Kharkiv, Cherkasy, and Chernihiv. The Autonomous Republic of Crimea and parts of Donetsk, Luhansk, and Kherson regions remain temporarily occupied. According to the State Emergency Service (SES), the risk of stepping on mines in the forest in the de-occupied territories will persist for at least a year. Therefore, the prohibition applies to pedestrians and all types of transportation. The only exceptions are vehicles used by the Armed Forces of Ukraine, other military formations, and permanent forest users and Other government authorities.

Prohibition on visiting forests due to the threat of fires 

In addition to the ban on visiting forests during the state of emergency this summer, there are further restrictions aimed at preventing wildfires. This includes the regions of Zakarpattia, Ivano-Frankivsk, Lviv, Ternopil, Khmelnytskyi, and Rivne.

Due to high temperatures and lack of rainfall, the fire hazard can reach its highest level - thats when the visits are prohibited about which logal governments should notify public. The risks of wildfires in natural ecosystems are increasing, in part due to human negligence

Partial restrictions on forest visitation in border regions

Residents of the border regions of Volyn, Rivne, and Zhytomyr need to be aware of the prohibition on visiting the border zone. For example, the permission to gather berries, mushrooms, and medicinal plants in the territory of Zhytomyr province applies to the entire area except for the zones located within 20 kilometers from the Ukrainian state border with Belarus and territories which were temporarily occupied. Additionally, visiting nature reserves is also prohibited in the regio

Similar temporary restrictions exist in the Verkhovyna district of Ivano-Frankivsk region, specifically in villages within the border strip of Zelenska and Biloberizka village councils. This includes a ban on leisure activities in the territories of communities adjacent to the border.

Similar limitations apply in Transcarpathia, where forest access is generally allowed, but certain routes are closed. This includes parts of the Uzhanskyi National Park and Carpathian Biosphere Reserve, which are adjacent to the borders of other countries. For example, the mountain "Pip Ivan" and the "Yalynskiy" waterfall, located within the territory of the Trybushanskyi Research and Conservation branch, are closed to visitors.

Visiting forests is allowed under certain conditions

In a number of regions, it is possible to visit forests while adhering to specific rules.

In Rivne region, foresters have established 125 designated areas where people can safely enjoy nature since there is a ban on forest visitation and entry in the region.

In Lviv region, walking in the forest is permitted, but entering with vehicles is prohibited, except for cases where a transit route or cycling trail passes through the forest. Campfires are allowed only in designated areas. Excursions, hikes, and routes near critical infrastructure, military, and strategic objects are prohibited.

In Khmelnytskyi region, making campfires is also prohibited, and entry into forests is prohibited for all types of vehicles except bicycles.

Visiting forests is allowed 

on foot and with vehicles in Chernivtsi and Ivano-Frankivsk regions (excluding border areas and during the high fire hazard period).

Take into account all the prohibitions and restrictions while planning your hikes this summer.

Stay safe!