Moldova · MD

Beech Forest Preserve

Plaiul Fagului is Moldova's crown jewel of forest preservation—a 5,600-hectare strict nature reserve in the Codri plateau, just 70 kilometers northwest of Chișinău. Home to ancient beech trees reaching 40 meters tall and 150 years old, this reserve protects one of the most representative and picturesque forest ecosystems in the country. A cascading chain of lakes follows the Rădeni stream through the heart of the forest, while crystal-clear springs feed waterways that ultimately give rise to the Bîc River, the watercourse that runs through Moldova's capital. Visitors walk a gentle 2.3-kilometer guided trail through a landscape of dramatic valleys, steep slopes, and terraced ridgelines that shift dramatically with the seasons—from wildflower-carpeted spring to golden autumn canopies. The reserve harbors 909 species of plants and over 140 species of birds, with populations of red deer, roe deer, wild boar, and the rare European wildcat.