What is a Boreal Forest? Top Destinations to Visit
The boreal forest (also known is taiga) is the biggest area of living plants and trees on land, accounting for 32% of the world’s forest cover. It lays in the northernmost part of our planet, between the tundras and the temperate forests or grasslands in eight countries: Canada, United States, United Kingdom, Norway, Sweden, Finland, Russia, and Mongolia.
What is a Boreal Forest?
The boreal forest is covering the northern regions between 50°N and 65°N latitude, which means short summers and long winters. It is typically cold, temperatures can drop to -22 Fahrenheit for the northernmost parts.
It is mainly made up of coniferous trees like spruce, fir, larch, and pine, along with some birch and aspen. The boreal forest is crucial to the global environment because it stores large amounts of carbon, much of it in the soil, helping to regulate the planet’s climate. Additionally, it is often the source of timber and paper products via industrial forestry.
The boreal forest is also home to diverse wildlife. Migratory animals like caribou and reindeer spend their winters here, while predators like wolves and lynx are permanent residents. Other notable animals are: beavers, snowshoe and mountain hares, arctic ground and red squirrels, boreal red-backed vole and other rodents, owls, capercaillie, black grouse, and red fox.
Russia
Russia has the largest boreal forest on Earth in the size of 2.97 billion acres, known as the Siberian taiga. These forests represent 55% of all conifer species and 11% of the Earth’s biomass.
The wildlife in the Siberian boreal forest is diverse: brown bear, moose, wolf, lynx, red fox, reindeer, wolverine, eagle, capercaillie, grouse, owl. It is also home to the Siberian or Amur tiger and Far Eastern leopard.
Pribaikalsky National Park (near Irkutsk) is the most accessible and tourist-friendly destination in Russia’s boreal forest. It is off the coast of Lake Baikal, the world’s deepest freshwater lake and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Great Baikal Trail is a network of hiking trails of 1,243 miles. Despite the full loop is still under construction, many segments are open including the one in Pribaikalsky National Park.
Stolby Nature Reserve (near Krasnoyarsk) is famous for its striking rock formations (“Stolby”) surrounded by dense taiga. The reserve has well-maintained trails that guide visitors through the boreal forest.
Lena Pillars National Park (near Yakutsk) is a 3.4 million-acre area along the right bank of the middle part of Lena River. The park is also UNESCO World Heritage Site offering a unique blend of stunning geological formations and boreal landscapes. Visitors can either cruise along the river or walk to the top of the pillars (900+ steep steps) for the breathtaking view.
Canada
Canada’s boreal forest is the country’s largest biome, covering nearly 60% of its total land area (1.35 billion acres). This massive forest accounts for 72% of all forested land in Canada and represents 30% of the world’s entire boreal forest.
70% of the Canada’s boreal forest biome is untouched. It is divided into seven ecozones: Taiga Cordillera, Boreal Cordillera, Taiga Plains, Boreal Plains, Taiga Shield, Boreal Shield, and Hudson Plains. Quebec, Ontario, and the Northwest Territories have the largest portion of the country’s boreal forest.
La Mauricie National Park is one of Quebec’s premier destinations for exploring the boreal forest, located midway between Montreal and Quebec City. Spanning 207 square miles, the park is home to moose, black bears, beavers, and over 180 bird species. It offers 100 miles of hiking trail including the Waber Falls. The park is 150 lakes, many of which are interconnected so canoeing is a great way to explore the area.
Algonquin Provincial Park in Ontario is one of the oldest and most famous parks in Canada, located just a few hours from Toronto and Ottawa. It offers easy access to the boreal forest, along with incredible wildlife viewing and outdoor activities within 2,955 square miles. The park as an extensive (1,240 miles) of canoe routes connecting hundreds of lakes and rivers. Popular routes are Canoe Lake and Big Trout Lake.
Wood Buffalo National Park, located in the Northwest Territories and Alberta, is the largest national park in Canada and an UNESCO World Heritage Site covering 17,275 square miles. The park is home to one of the world’s largest free-roaming herds of wood bison, a species once on the brink of extinction and the only known nesting site of the endangered whooping crane. But the park also has salt flats and dark sky parks for stargazing.
Alaska, United States
Boreal forests in Alaska are part of the North American taiga and the only region within the United States. It spans the interior regions, stretching from the Brooks Range north of Fairbanks to the Chugach Range near Anchorage. The best place to visit the boreal forest is in Talkeenta, Denali or Fairbanks according to Elise Lockton, a naturalist-at-large.
Talkeenta can be an excellent starting point for exploring Alaska’s boreal forest as the town is surrounded by this unique ecosystem. The Talkeetna Lakes Park is an 1,040-acre park with six lakes. The X Lake Trail is a popular option, leading hikers through peaceful nature, starting at Comsat Trailhead.
Denali National Park is one of the 8 Alaska National Parks about 240 miles north of Anchorage and 120 miles south of Fairbanks covering over 6 million acres. Denali, North America’s tallest peak, is towering at 20,310 feet above sea level, but the lower elevations are dominated by boreal forest. The Savage River area and Triple Lakes Trail are excellent spots for hiking and experiencing the boreal ecosystem firsthand.
Fairbanks lies near the southern edge of Alaska’s boreal forest, making it one of most accessible sections to explore this ecosystem. Creamer’s Field Migratory Waterfowl Refuge is a 2,200-acre refuge right outside of Fairbanks offering a place to see migratory birds and explore the forest via easy trails.
WHERE TO STAY: Find a sustainable eco-lodge in Alaska.
Norway
Nearly 40% of Norway is covered by boreal forest from the borders of broad-leaved deciduous forest in southern Norway throughout the boreal rainforest (with high and frequent precipitation) in the central regions, up until the arctic forest in the northernmost areas.
According to WWF, 70-90% of the original boreal rainforest in Norway has been destroyed in the last 70 years and only 0.7% is under protection.
Forra Nature Reserve, Trøndelag is about a 90-minute drive from Trondheim. Spanning over 25,000 acres, the reserve is a great example of Norway’s boreal rainforest. The high rainfall and humidity create an ecosystem of spruce and birch trees blanketed in mosses, lichens, and fungi. It also has an intact peat mire area supporting 130 different bird species.
Øvre Pasvik National Park is located in Finnmark, about a 3-hour drive from Kirkenes Airport, in the northernmost part of Norway. The park is on the land of the Sami people near the borders of Russia and Finland. It is dominated by old-growth Scots pine (even more than 400 years old) and sparse undergrowth adapted to Arctic conditions. It is also home to Norway’s densest brown bear population.
Sweden
Almost 70% of Sweden is forested area, but over 80% is productive forest land suitable for forestry. 8.9% of forested areas is formally protected while only 7% is strictly protected. Out of the total forested area 25% is northern boreal forest, 36% is southern boreal forest, and 26% is boreonemoral forest.
Situated in Swedish Lapland, Sarek National Park lies above the Arctic Circle in the heart of Sweden’s boreal forest. The park is accessible from nearby towns like Jokkmokk, about a 2-hour drive away. It is known for its rugged terrain and untouched wilderness. The Rapa Valley (Ráhpavuobme) is a highlight, often called the “Grand Canyon of Sweden.”
Tyresta National Park, 12 miles south of Stockholm, offers easy access to hemiboreal forests for visitors in Sweden’s capital region. This park preserves one of the largest remaining areas of virgin boreal forest in southern Sweden. Visitors can explore 34 miles of marked trails, including the Fornborg Trail, which leads to ancient fortifications.
Finland
Finland is one of the most forested countries in the world, with about 75% of its land area covered by forests, amounting to approximately 57 million acres. Almost all of these forests are boreal or hemiboreal.
Pallas-Yllästunturi National Park in Finnish Lapland is one of Finland’s largest and most iconic parks, covering vast areas of old-growth boreal forest interspersed with fells (tunturi). Visitors can explore 310 miles of marked trails, including the popular Hetta-Pallas Trail and learn more about the boreal ecosystems in the park visitors center in Äkäslompolo.
Patvinsuo National Park lies near the Russian border in eastern Finland. The 9-mile Suomunkierto Trail passes through old-growth forests, wetlands, and along the shores of Lake Suomunjärvi, where visitors can rent a kayak or a canoe.
WHERE TO STAY: Staying in glass cabins is popular in Finland.
Scotland, United Kingdom
Scotland’s forested area is 18.5% (almost 3.5 million acres), which is higher than the UK average, but lower than the European average.
The Caledonian Forest, the only remnant of ancient boreal forests, is located in the Scottish Highlands. Sadly, now it only covers 1% of its original range (440,000 acres). Several organizations, like Trees for Life, are working to restore and expand the forest by planting native species and removing invasive ones.
The forest is home to some of Scotland’s most iconic wildlife. Red squirrels are commonly seen, and pine martens can often be spotted at feeding stations according to The Wildlife Trusts. Though rarely seen, the elusive Scottish wildcat also lives here. Besides the unique Scottish crossbill, the capercaillie, the world’s largest grouse also thrives in these forests.
Cairngorms National Park, the Glenmore Forest Park, or the Glen Affric are all great starting point to explore the boreal ecosystem. Hiking trails in these areas lead you through ancient pinewoods, scenic glens, and peat bogs.
WHERE TO STAY: Find a sustainable eco-lodge in Scotland.
Mongolia
Mongolia is predominantly known for its vast grasslands, or steppes, but it is also the home of an approximately 35 million acres boreal forest along its northern border. These forests, which form part of the southern edge of the Siberian boreal forest, cover only 9% of the country’s total land area.
Khövsgöl Lake National Park lies approx. 400 miles from Mongolia’s capital, Ulaanbaatar. Khövsgöl Lake, surrounded by boreal forest, is often called the “Blue Pearl of Mongolia.” Why? Because it holds nearly 70% of Mongolia’s freshwater, making it one of the clearest lakes in the world.
Onon-Balj National Park is an ecologically and culturally significant part of the Siberian boreal forest. It lies in eastern Mongolia near the birthplace of Genghis Khan. The park features expansive forests of Siberian larch and pine, as well as the Onon River, which supports wildlife such as moose, brown bears, and lynx. Rare bird species, including the black stork and golden eagle, can also be found here.
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Emese Maczko is a travel blogger behind Eco Lodges Anywhere. Having explored several destinations around Europe, the US, Indonesia, and Australia, and resided in Germany, the United Kingdom, and Luxembourg, Emese possesses a keen understanding of diverse cultures and an appreciation for the beauty of each destination she visits. She advocates for sustainable travel and ecotourism.