Landscape observation

Kernavė archaeological site, where the first capital of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania was established in the 13th century, is included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. The five hill forts of Kernavė is also the place from which one can have a view of one of the most beautiful landscapes in Lithuania, ones that inspired Lithuanian rulers centuries ago.

As far as the eye can see – only water, sand and pine forests. Such views open up from the Parnidis Dune Observation Deck in Nida – undoubtedly one of the most spectacular sights. Up to 99% of the white dunes are made of quartz. Due to the winds they often look like a wavy seabed.

The peacefulness of the Dubingiai Castle site, the largest in Lithuania, protects the memory of the noble Lithuanian family – the Radvilas. The remains of representatives of this family have recently been discovered here. The magnificence of the past is also enhanced by the impressive landscape of this place – a wide and long castle site is located on the peninsula of the longest lake in Lithuania – Asveja. When traveling on the short 1.5 km track, you will get to know the historical past of the area and enjoy the beautiful landscape.

Medvėgalis has two peaks: in the upper part there is the highest point of Samogitia (235 m), on the lower one – Medvėgalis Hillfort, on which the famous Samogitian castle stood in the 14th century. The hilltop offers very wide panoramic views. You can see other hills of Žemaitija and 14 church spires some of which are as much as 30 km away.

The most beautiful Samogitian hill, often referred to as the Queen of Lithuanian Mountains, the 228 m high Šatrija, is one of the most mysterious places in Lithuania. The legend has it that witches from the farthest corners of the country gather here, and the hill itself is a church covered by earth! The witches made a very clever choice – spectacular views of Samogitian hills open out from Šatrija Hill.

The magnificent hill fort standing on the bank of the Nemunas, is also called Mount Palemonas. According to legend, the legendary Roman duke, Palemonas, was buried here. At the top of the tall and steep mound in the 13th-14th centuries there was a fortress, and now there is a fantastic sightseeing platform offering wonderful views of the Nemunas Valley and the confluence of the Nemunas and Dubysa.

Looking down from the magnificent Mount Rambynas, not only will you admire the special landscape of the lower reaches of the Nemunas, but will also feel the spirit of Prussia remaining to this day. Rambynas, located by the Nemunas and the Lithuanian State border with the Kaliningrad region, used to be the site where the Baltic tribe named Scalvians once built their shrine, and now, from the sightseeing platform one can see the Ragainė Castle and Tilžė.

From the observation decks set up on the 40 m high outcrop located in the Nemunas Loops Regional Park, you can see one of the most beautiful landscapes in Lithuania – the valley of the largest Lithuanian riverside with forests and meadows. The extremely steep slopes and different layers of rock of the Balbieriškis Outcrop will interest geology aficionados.

Aukštaitija National Park, the oldest national park in Lithuania, is one of the most popular natural tourism destinations in Lithuania, due to the abundance of lakes, hills and diverse wildlife. You will see its beauty by climbing one of the most famous observation points in the country – a former shrine of the Balts, the 176 meters high Ladakalnis Hill, even with a panoramic view of 6 lakes.

When in Druskininkai, use the only opportunity in Lithuania to look at the Nemunas and the surroundings of the resort through the windows of a cable car. The environmental-friendly cable car will get you from one bank of the Nemunas to the other at a height of 45 m in 7.5 minutes, and guarantee impressive images and unforgettable entertainment.

If you want to see one of the hundred most-protected natural monuments in Europe, look for the Devil’s pit near Aukštadvaris. The origin of the 40-meter-deep cone-shaped cavity is still unclear – it may have been formed by a glacier left over since the ice age, or perhaps a meteorite? Explore the pit on all sides and try to guess its secrets by walking along the paths around it or climbing up the steps.

On the outskirts of Šakiai, not far from the Kaliningrad border, you can find the Sudargas hill fort complex on the bank of the Nemunas. Hill forts are a relic that remind us of the Lithuanian battles against the Teutonic Order. Travelers flock here to take in the magnificent views that the five hill forts provide.

Not only can you touch rocks that are up to 180 million years old on the banks of the Venta that runs in the Akmenė region, here you can also find fossils of animals that lived during the Jurassic era and became extinct together with dinosaurs! The Papilė escarpment, 20 meters in height and 130 meters in length, adapted to visitors and protected from rain, is particularly precious and interesting.