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According to a local tourism survey conducted in June this year, half of Lithuanian tourists who travel the country are looking for natural treasures: climbing observation towers, exploring cognitive trails and mounds. Rest even more by the water, in hamlets and other areas surrounded by forests and meadows. These long-term travel trends reflect Lithuanians’ attachment to nature. However, there are still many experiences and places in Lithuania that are hidden in beautiful unknown forests and swamps, according to a press release.
An unexpected discovery – continental dunes
The sand dripping between the fingers can be felt not only on the seashore. You may end up in the dunes wandering unexpectedly through the forest. In the Bartkuškis forest (Širvintos district), glaciers left a large area of clean white sand thousands of years ago, according to another, after a forest fire. The dwarf pines that sway here are truly reminiscent of the roar of the sea.
Photo by D.Smagurauskaitė / Bartkuškis dune
In the Dzūkija National Park (Marcinkonys, Varėna district) you can find another continental dune, the Kloniai hill or the Gaidis dune.
Another brick in the Rūdninkai forest (Šalčininkai district): the dune is said to have formed here due to the shelling carried out during military exercises, because the former Soviet training ground is located here.
Photo by Tautvydas Pažarskis / Rūdininkai dunes
And in the Dumsiai forest (Jonava district). It is possible to visit not only the continental dune, but also the observation deck installed in the military training ground. It seems that the forest hides not only impressive sand dunes, but also military secrets …
Missile base
Photo by Šarūnas Apalainis / Cabbage Base
Hangars, rocket launchers, bunkers, warehouses, barracks … The terrifying relics of the Cold War can still be seen in the forests between Ukmergė and Vepriai. For three decades (1958-1988), the Cabbage Missile Base of the Soviet Army was located with the most powerful ballistic missiles of the Soviet Army at that time. They were able to hit a target 3,000 kilometers away.
Currently, the “Forest Brothers” club conducts sightseeing tours around the Kopūstėliai rocket base in a military car. The club also reconstructs the scenes of the most famous battles in the history of Lithuania and the world and organizes shotgun games. Battles typically last two to three days, so wargame enthusiasts may also need to feel the harshness of a soldier’s bed at the base. More information here.
Observation of dragonflies and butterflies
Photo by Irmantas Gelūnas / 15min photo / Akimirka through a magnifying glass …
Did you know that not only birds can be seen in Lesser Lithuania? Dragonfly and butterfly watching is also organized in the Aukštumala Upland swamp. And the dragonflies, which travel thousands of kilometers, are marked at the ornithological station located at Cape Ventė. The Ventė Cape scientists, who are trying to reveal the secrets of the migration of these impressive flying travelers, are the only ones in the world to do so! More information here.
In the footsteps of the partisans
Lithuanian forests are not only incomprehensible natural wonders, but also guardians of the history of Lithuania’s freedom struggles. Maybe a warm summer weekend can take you on a guerilla trail? In Merkinė you can hike 22 km along the Adolfas Ramanauskas-Vanags Freedom Fighting Road. The route starts at the Dainava District Partisan Monument on Merkinė Cross Hill and ends at Merkinė Mound. Among the attractions of the cognitive route is the place of the famous photo session with hawks.
Photo by Andrius Aleksandravičius / Merkinė Mound, where the path of freedom struggles ends
In the Daugėliškės forest (Raseiniai district) there is an educational trail from the Daugėliškis forest bunker with information booths about the history of the partisan struggles that took place here, and in the Pasvalys district, the Žadeikiai forest, a bunker Recently renovated with 3D visualization in the Pasvalys region museum is open to visitors.
Meteor Crater in Vepriai
165 million years ago, the earthquake was shaken by 6.9 points, caused by a meteorite that descended on the present old town of Vepriai (Ukmergė district). The blow was so strong that the fire in the territory of Lithuania destroyed everything that was alive, and in that place a crater of more than 50 square kilometers appeared. This crater is now carved out and covered in grass by bike paths, suitable for less experienced riders as well as more beloved riders. More information here.
Forest bath
The daily rush not only tests the body but also the soul. The spirit-revived Japanese practice shinrin-yoku, or forest baths. It may turn out to be a bath in a forest stream, but this is not entirely true. In fact, the philosophy that is being used more and more in Lithuania encourages us to slowly immerse ourselves in nature with all the senses: listening, feeling, smelling, admiring and even feeling the taste of the forest.
Photo by Andrius Čeponis / Forest Bath
Guides who practice this methodology will help you learn about forest therapy, relaxation, and mixing with nature. More information here.
The biggest dream trap in the world.
For those who dream of nightmares, the pine forest of the Asveja Regional Park near Dubingiai (Molėtai district) is worth a visit. A dream trap almost 13 m high and 10 m in diameter has risen here in the trees. The trap is tied with a pint rope over a kilometer long, 700 pieces of wood, 319 beads and weighs 156 kg. In addition, on the territory of the Center for Healthy Lifestyle “Golden Forest” there is a labyrinth of 4 forest elements, which can only be overcome with confidence. More information here.
Herbal art
Photo by Evaldas Virkeitis / Herbal Tea
For those whose grandmothers boiled cumin tea in their childhood and listened to a chamomile infusion after a stomachache, appreciate the healing powers of nature and do not want to forget what our ancestors taught, a weekend in Anykščiai. Here, the herbalist Ramūnas Daugelavičius teaches both adults and children to know plants, to nourish health and flavors. There is something to learn from a herbalist even for those who are not interested in the healing properties of herbs: instead of medicinal teas, you can learn about Lithuanian coffee during educational programs. More information here.
Wolf pit
There are still legends about the origin of the Devil’s Pit and its smaller “sister” – the collapse of Strėva (Aukštadvaris Regional Park, Trakai district). It is still unknown if the Devil’s Pit, more than 30 m deep, which has been included in the list of the 100 most protected natural monuments in Europe, was toppled by a meteorite, glaciers or a church. The Wolf Wolf Pit, or the Grabijolai Pit in the Žemaitiškės Forest (Neris Regional Park, Vilnius District), is covered in legends and is less known. According to some, the tunnel that was broken here, which runs from Kernavė to Vilnius, according to others, was dug by the Swedes in the grave, and according to the third, the slaughtered sheep have long been eating wolves. More information here.
Primitive cave
Trip to Lithuania photo / Čiobiškis cave
After visiting the Budeliai mound and moving by cable car up the Neris, it is worth finding a cave in the forest of the Čiobiškis forest district (Širvintos district). The Čiobiškis or Ryna Cave, several meters long, is considered the deepest natural cave in the country and is one of the few natural formations of its kind in Lithuania. It is believed that once, a family of primitive people would have had a great time here. Now, at a height of five meters from a stream that flows downward, this cave serves as a hiding place for bats and other forest dwellers. More information here.
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