Plizio Visual Lab

Olman Mires

Plizio editorial teamUpdated: Jun 2026Data Sources

wildlife

Weather…

The Olman Mires in the southern Brest region form the largest contiguous complex of transition and raised bogs in Europe that has largely been preserved in its natural state to this day. Spanning 94,000 hectares, this massive wetland paradoxically benefited from its decades-long use as a strictly restricted military training ground of the Soviet Union, which prevented agricultural drainage. Today, the extensive mosaic of open bogs, pine islands, and wet birch forests is an irreplaceable refuge for globally threatened bird species. The Olman Mires possess the highest known breeding density of the endangered Greater Spotted Eagle in Europe and also provide the highly endangered Aquatic Warbler with vast, intact habitats far removed from any human infrastructure.

Location: Belarus
Nearby: Stolin (21 km)

Best time to visit & climate

The most pleasant time to visit is Jun–Aug.

	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Avg °C	-6	-5	1	8	14	18	21	20	15	8	2	-3
Rain mm	46	38	44	42	74	77	95	61	43	56	49	49

📋 Practical info

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Best season

The Olman Mires are best visited from May to September. At this time, vegetation is lush and the rare Great Bustard as well as other meadow breeders are active.

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Best time of day

In early morning, birds are best observed on the open mire surfaces. As the day progresses, they retreat to more shaded areas.

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Etiquette

Do not walk on the mires outside the trails, as the ground is very sensitive. Keep distance from breeding sites and avoid dogs, which may scare birds.

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What to bring

Good binoculars as well as rubber boots or waterproof shoes are essential. Binoculars with a wide field of view help scan vast areas.

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Getting there

The Olman Mires are in southern Belarus, about 40 km east of Kobryn. They are accessible by car on unpaved roads - a 4WD vehicle is recommended.

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What to expect

The Great Bustard is difficult to observe; it often flees even from a great distance. Scan with binoculars from a safe hide.

Geography

Coordinates

51.81600, 27.11600

Explore nearby

Notable places around

Olmany Mires7 km · NEExplore →

Stolin Lowland12 km · NWExplore →

Radziwill Palace in Stolin20 km · NWExplore →

Polesie Lowland22 km · NExplore →

Stary Zhaden Reserve26 km · NEExplore →

Horyn River35 km · NWExplore →

Polissian Lowland36 km · SExplore →

Mid-Pripyat Landscape Reserve36 km · NExplore →

Route planner — Car & Motorhome

Where do you start? We build the route here, with stops and country notes along the way.

Start Destination Via (optional)

Overnight stops

Vehicle

Only stops with (optional): 💧 Water ♻️ Disposal 🔌 Power 🚻 Toilets 🚿 Shower

Sights nearby

Frequently asked questions

What makes Olman Mires unique?

It is one of Europe's largest intact transitional bogs and a major breeding ground for the Greater Spotted Eagle.

Is the area difficult to access?

Yes, the terrain is very wild and often impassable; visits are recommended only with experienced guides.

Do I need a special permit?

Since the reserve is in a border zone, foreign visitors must apply for a border permit in advance.

What animals can be seen here?

Besides rare birds of prey, lynxes, wolves, and numerous amphibian species live here.

Are there set hiking trails?

There are few marked trails; most routes follow old dams or pass through the open mire.

Olman Mires: where is it located?

Olman Mires is located in Belarus.

Olman Mires: when is the best time to visit?

The most pleasant time to visit is Jun, Aug.

Olman Mires: why is it worth visiting?

The Olman Mires in the southern Brest region form the largest contiguous complex of transition and raised bogs in Europe that has largely been preserved in its natural state to this day.

View on map → The Top 50 Attractions → OpenStreetMap →