BDAR

Mandatory cookies

Mandatory cookies enable the main website functions. Without the aforementioned cookies the website cannot function properly. These cookies can be turned off only by changing the browser settings.

Statistics cookies

Analytical cookies allow us to improve the website by collecting and providing information about its usage.

Aukštadvaris Regional Park

54.579, 24.524
How to get?
  • 1-aukstadvario-regioninio-parko-pritaikymas-lankymui-5ba8ac8a35699.jpg
  • 1-aukstadvario-regioninio-parko-pritaikymas-lankymui-5ba8ac8751ffa.jpg
  • 1-aukstadvario-regioninio-parko-pritaikymas-lankymui-5ba8acf06383a.jpg
  • 1-aukstadvario-regioninis-parkas-5ba8ae2eecceb.jpg
  • 1-aukstadvario-regioninis-parkas-5ba8ae22bc5d2.jpg
  • 1-aukstadvario-regioninis-parkas-5ba8ae110adf1.jpg
  • 1-aukstadvario-regioninis-parkas-5ba8ae180e424.jpg
  • 1-aukstadvario-regioninis-parkas-5ba8ae341a20e.jpg
  • 1-aukstadvario-regioninis-parkas-5ba8ae0721de1.jpg
  • 1-aukstadvario-regioninis-parkas-5ba8ae24347a6.jpg
  • 1-aukstadvario-regioninis-parkas-5ba8ae27658c8.jpg
  • 1-aukstadvario-regioninio-parko-pritaikymas-lankymui-5ba8ac943ad84.jpg
  • 1-aukstadvario-regioninio-parko-pritaikymas-lankymui-5ba8ac705f01a.jpg

Data

Year of establishment

1992 year

Area

17004 he.

Regional park group


Ph. No.
Email
https://dzukijossuvalkijosstd.lrv.lt/lt/arp/

EXCLUSIVE VALUE OF THE REGIONAL PARK

Especially diverse and picturesque Aukštadvaris hills’ landscape with lake-rich upper reaches of Verknė and Strėva featuring deep pits (devil’s pits), high hills, lakes, river headwaters, and exceptionally abundant biological diversity. Here one may see the habitats of steppe grasslands of Southern Europe and of the West Siberian taiga. It also features the Devil’s pit which is known beyond the borders of Lithuania. Only in the water bodies in this regional park one can see a growing Nasturtium officinale. The regional park is crossed by the Royal highway.

Landscape and Biodiversity of Aukštadvaris Regional Park

Aukštadvaris Regional Park lies within the Dzūkija Uplands, a region known for its forested lake systems, glacio-fluvial and moraine landforms, and the upper reaches of the Verknė and Strėva Rivers. The park’s unique terrain, shaped by the last glaciation, offers exceptional ecological diversity, educational value, and recreational opportunities.

A Mosaic of Landscapes

The park features a rich variety of natural landforms, including:

  • Lake complexes in tunnel valleys and moraine depressions

  • Steep-sloped forested hills and ridges

  • Undulating glacio-fluvial terraces

  • Deep erosional valleys and thermokarst depressions

  • Gently urbanized lake shores and riverbanks

These landforms shape a landscape of rare natural beauty and ecological significance, providing habitats for diverse species and a refuge for sensitive ecosystems.

European Union Natura 2000 Sites

Aukštadvaris Regional Park includes multiple habitat types of European Community importance, such as:

  • Sub-Atlantic oak-hornbeam forests

  • Juniper formations on heathlands

  • Hard oligo-mesotrophic lakes

  • Watercourses with characteristic aquatic vegetation

  • Semi-natural dry grasslands, Molinia meadows, alkaline and calcareous fens, bog woodlands, and Western Taiga

Flora and Fauna

  • Plants: 954 species, with 7 protected by the EU and 76 listed in the Lithuanian Red Data Book

  • Mammals: 54 species (18 EU-protected, 14 in the Red Data Book)

  • Birds: 167 species (39 EU-protected, 44 in the Red Data Book)

  • Fish: 33 species

  • Amphibians & Reptiles: 18 species (9 EU-protected, 5 in the Red Data Book)

  • Invertebrates: 1,064 species (8 EU-protected, 19 in the Red Data Book)

Nature and Cultural Heritage Protection Zones

To preserve this rich biodiversity and cultural heritage, the park includes:

  • 1 Strict Nature Reserve: Mergiškiai, protecting old-growth forests and habitats of rare species like Hordelymus europaeus, Cucujus cinnaberinus, and Dendrocopos leucotos

  • 16 Reserves: Including 7 landscape, 4 hydrographical, 1 botanical, 1 botanical-zoological, 1 archaeological, 1 historical, and 1 urban reserve

These reserves safeguard:

  • Unique glacial landforms such as the Gedanonys Hills and Devil’s Pit

  • Ethnographic villages, burial mounds, manor landscapes, and mythological sites

  • River systems with rare aquatic habitats and natural springs

  • Biodiversity hotspots with EU-protected species like Lutra lutra, Cypripedium calceolus, and Bombina bombina

Noteworthy Areas

  • Mergiškiai Reserve: High-relief forest landscape with protected fauna and flora

  • Saloviškiai & Spindžius: Rich in cultural heritage and unique geomorphological features

  • Upper Verknė and Strėva River Valleys: Featuring oxbow lakes, springs, and rare plant habitats

  • Vilkokšnis and Tabaliukai: Tunnel valleys, cirques, sacred places, and rare fens

Cultural Heritage

  • Natural Monuments: Devil’s Pit and Nikronys Rock

  • Cultural Sites: 42 protected objects including mounds, burial sites, manor estates, and WWII cemeteries

  • Museums: “The Royal Highway” exhibition at the Park Visitor Centre and a Local History Museum at Aukštadvaris Gymnasium

Traditional Events and Community Life

The park is also a hub for ethnographic and ecological events, such as:

  • Earth Week and Nature Protection Day

  • Traditional hikes (e.g., Midwinter Walk, Perkūnas Day)

  • Seasonal festivals (e.g., Easter egg painting, Shrovetide, Advent evenings)

 

Visited objects

Nature Heritage Site

Adam Mickiewicz Oak Chestnut of Aukštadvaris Manor Park Aukštadvaris Manor Park Larches Nikronys Stone Strėva collapse Devil's Pit Verknė old river bed spring

Visitor centre

Aukštadvaris Regional Park Visitor Center

Other natural object

Aukšlinis Linden Bygaudas Ash Gedanonys Hill Gelioniai Hill Lausėgniai spruce Ragava Alkas spring Ustronė Boulders Verknė river origin

Cultural heritage object

Akmeniai I burial mound Akmeniai II burial mound Aulštadvaris Mound Gypsy Cross Drabužininkai, Danosai burial mound Gallows (Šiba) hill Lausgeniai I and II burial mounds Lavariškės Mound Lavariškės burial mound Mergiškiai Stone Mergiškiai Old Cemetery Moša (Naujasodžiai) burial mound Moša (Skrebys) burial mound Moša Mound Nikronys ancient burial ground Forested Mound Saloviškės burial mound Strėva Mound Strėva burial mound Strėva ancient burial ground Tolkiškės chapel Totoriškės burial mound German soldiers cemetery (Paverknė forest) Green Alko Stone Žuklijai Mound

Other cultural object

Royal cuisine

For visitors

Visitor centre

Aukštadvaris Regional Park Visitor Center

Cognitive, educational trail

Screbys forest congnitive trail Green Trail

Other path, route

Mergiškiai Ring Ancestors trail Rangava Ring

Campsite

Grendavė beach Vilūnai campsite

Holiday resort

Resort in Antakalnis by the juniper grove Resort in Babrauninkai forest near lake Verniejus Resort in Grendavė Resort in Jankovicai East side of Nava lake (Aukštaitija HE pond) Resort in the village of Nikronys by the Verknė river Resort in the village of Pakalninkai Resort by the Drabužininkai burial mound Resort by the Royal cuisine Resort by the Gallows Hill Resort by the Lausgeniai burial mound Resort by the Mergiškiai Alko stone Resort by the Moša Mound Resort by the Ranguva spring Resort by the Spindžius and Spindžiukas channel Resort by the Strėva collapse Resort by the Strėva collapse, Spindys forest Resort by the Verknė old river bed spring Resort by the Žaliosios stone Resort by the Žuklijai Mound Resort in Saloviškės by Saloviškiai lake Resort in Strėva Village Resort in Tolkiškės by the birch alley Resort in Žygkaimis

View Place

Gelioniai Hill Lookout