Flora and fauna of Bukovel

For the first time, the Bukovel Sustainable Development Office is presenting a detailed look at the resort’s flora and fauna.

While it’s impossible to cover every species in one overview, this guide highlights the rich variety of plants, berries, mushrooms, and wildlife that make Bukovel a true Carpathian paradise.

FLORA: THE GREEN WORLD OF BUKOVEL

Bukovel’s vegetation reflects the typical Carpathian landscape, dominated by coniferous forests with pockets of deciduous trees at lower altitudes.

Forests

Spruce and fir forests tower on the higher slopes, creating shaded areas filled with the fresh scent of pine.
Beech forests thrive on lower slopes, offering spectacular autumn colors from yellow to deep crimson.
Mixed forests host pines, maples, and oaks.

Plants and undergrowth

Ferns create lush, prehistoric-like carpets.
Mosses cover stones and fallen trees, adding a magical touch to the forest floor.

Berries available in summer and early autumn include:

Blueberries – the forest’s healthy treat.
Lingonberries – an all favorite northern berry species.
Forest raspberries – juicy and fragrant.
Blackberries – a natural vitamin boost.

Mushrooms & medicinal herbs

Carpathians are a mushroom-lover’s paradise: porcini, birch and aspen mushrooms, slippery jacks, russulas, and more.
Healing herbs bloom across the meadows: thyme, St. John’s wort, oregano, alpine arnica, and the Eastern Carpathian rhododendron (commonly known as Red Rue).

Rare plants

Some species are protected in Ukraine’s Red Book, including Crocus heuffelianus, snowdrop, alpine edelweiss, belladonna, forest lily, Scherfel’s sleep, spring snowflake, and spotted gentian.

FAUNA: BUKOVEL'S WILDLIFE

Bukovel’s Carpathian wildlife is diverse, though large mammals are rarely seen near the resort due to human activity. Hiking trails and more remote areas offer glimpses into their world.

Large mammals

Brown bears – shy, elusive residents of dense forests.
Lynx – secretive hunters.
Wolves – roam deep forest areas.
Red deer – often heard or spotted, especially during mating season.
Roe deer – commonly seen near settlements.
Wild boars – occasionally forage near villages.

Small mammals

Foxes, badgers, martens, and otters – active in forests and near rivers.
Hares and squirrels – resort's frequent visitors.
Carpathian newt and spotted salamander – rare, endemic species.

Protected species in Ukraine’s Red Book include the alpine shrew, small horseshoe bat, European water vole, snow vole, stoat, European mink, lynx, and others.

Birds

Capercaillie, black grouse – rare forest birds.
Woodpeckers, owls, eagles, falcons – predators and forest dwellers.
Numerous species of songbirds.
Red Book species: black stork, lesser spotted eagle, golden eagle, Montagu’s harrier, peregrine falcon, western capercaillie, Ural owl, boreal owl, alpine accentor, redstart.

Reptiles and amphibians