Discover Anykščiai District Municipality

• The Medžių lajų takas is 300 metres long; at the end is an observation platform 34 metres above the ground.
• The Anykščių šilelio kraštovaizdžio draustinis landscape reserve preserves characteristic landscapes and cultural heritage sites.
• Museums explore topics including narrow-gauge railways, angels and rural life.
• Burbiškis Manor offers accommodation and meals and is currently used for tourism.

The Anykščių šilelio kraštovaizdžio draustinis landscape reserve focuses on preserving the characteristic landscape of Anykščių šilelis and the Šventoji Valley. The protected landscape includes outcrops and floodplain meadows, the Puntukas and Puntuko brolis boulders, and the “Karalienės liūnas” spring. The Vetygala outcrop, the Peniankai burial mound complex and other cultural heritage sites are also among the features being preserved. A total of 769 higher plant species have been identified in the area; more than 20 of them are listed in Lithuania’s Red Data Book.

The Medžių lajų takas offers a different perspective on nature: the path is 300 metres long and rises steadily to 21 metres above the ground. At the end is an observation tower with a platform 34 metres high. It is considered the first treetop-level walkway in the Baltics and all of Eastern Europe. If you are looking for a more natural route instead of a view from above, the 1.2-kilometre Anykščių šilelio eko basų kojų takas ecological barefoot trail is another option. It is for walking barefoot only; your feet get wet in the lake.

For a longer outing, the “Pažintinis maršrutas: Anykščių regioninio parko atodangos” route is available. It is considered challenging and is designed as a one- or two-day trip. It starts at the Anykščiai Regional Park Visitor Centre; the surface varies between asphalt roads, gravel paths, a wooden boardwalk and field tracks. The visitor centre also features an exhibition that explores the park’s natural and cultural heritage through literary works.

The Siauruko muziejus explores technical heritage and the history of narrow-gauge railways. Several exhibition buildings provide historical context from the 20th century. The museum also offers a one-hour journey through the history of the century-old narrow-gauge railway. The Angelų muziejus – Sakralinio meno centras offers a different focus: it opened in 2010 as Lithuania’s first angel museum and displays a collection of more than 100 angels donated by Beatričė Kleizaitė-Vasaris.

There are also cultural offerings with a contemporary focus. The Anykščių menų inkubatorius – menų studija offers changing exhibitions, educational activities, creative workshops, virtual reality experiences and a variety of cultural events. If you are interested in the history of former fortifications, you can visit the Šeimyniškėliai hillfort complex. It is considered the site of the presumed Voruta Castle of Mindaugas. In the mid-13th century, a wooden state castle stood on Šeimyniškėliai Hill; it protected the northern border of the Lithuanian state and was considered the largest castle in eastern Lithuania.

The tower of St. Matthew’s Church in Anykščiai also offers a view: the platform is 33 metres high and can be reached by climbing 186 steps. From there, you can see the area around Anykščiai.

The “Lietuviškų gėrimų kelionė” programme at Anykščių vynas explores the history and origins of the drinks made there, demonstrates the production process and offers the chance to sample popular products. At the Arklio muziejus, the focus is on a bread-making programme: participants shape a loaf, bake it in a freshly heated wood-fired oven and can sample rural dishes. The two experiences have different focuses: drink-making and tasting on the one hand, and bread-baking and rural dishes on the other.

Burbiškis Manor is currently used for tourism and offers accommodation and meals. Concerts, seminars and exhibitions are also held there. The site thus combines the accommodation and dining options mentioned with cultural events; specific dates are not part of the trip planning information here. To find your way around the area, see the town pages for Rubikiai, Skiemonys, Svėdasai, Kurkliai and Andrioniškis. For other municipalities to compare, see Ignalina District Municipality, Anykščių rajono savivaldybė and Molėtų rajono savivaldybė.

How long is the Medžių lajų takas?

The path is 300 metres long and rises steadily to 21 metres above the ground. At the end is an observation platform 34 metres high.

What is the route to the regional park’s outcrops like?

The challenging route is designed for one or two days. It starts at the Anykščiai Regional Park Visitor Centre and follows asphalt, gravel, a wooden boardwalk and field tracks.

What does the bread-making programme at the Arklio muziejus involve?

Participants shape a loaf, bake it in a freshly heated wood-fired oven and can sample rural dishes.

For the broader travel overview: Utena County.