Aukstaitija National Park is the green heart of Lithuania, a pristine wilderness of pine forests, rolling hills, and more than one hundred crystal clear lakes. Established in 1974 as the country first national park, it protects an Ice Age landscape that feels a world away from the cobbled streets of Vilnius. The lakes connect through narrow streams and wooden footbridges, making kayaking the finest way to explore secluded bays and tiny forested islands. Traditional wooden villages dot the shoreline, offering overnight accommodation and home cooked meals. Hiking trails weave between observation towers that reveal sweeping panoramas of water and woodland stretching to the horizon.
Aukstaitija National Park is the oldest and most popular Lithuanian natural treasure. It is spread on an area of 400 km2 and offers untouched paradise full of deep green forests and blue lakes, which create extraordinary charm to this country.
Aukstaitija National Park has been established in 1974, in the eastern side of the country, where are located the most attractive sceneries of the Baltic States. Aukstaitija National Park is situated at an altitude of about 150 meters and was previously created by the glacier. About 70% of the park is covered with pines, firs and deciduous forests that are home to moose, deer and boar.
Aukstaitija National Park, Lithuania by Wojsyl
Lakes, Kayaking, and Scenic Vistas
The heart of Aukstaitija National Park is its extraordinary network of lakes. The park contains 126 lakes, each with its own character, linked by narrow streams and portage trails that create a paradise for canoeists and kayakers. The deepest of these, Lake Tauragnas, reaches 60.5 metres and sits on the northern edge of the park, surrounded by steep wooded hills. Lake Baluosas, covering 442 hectares and entirely encircled by forest, is one of the most beautiful, with seven islands rising from its waters, one of which contains its own small lake. The best panoramic views are found at Ladakalnis Hill, where a marked trail leads to a viewing platform that offers a sweeping vista across six or seven lakes shimmering among the trees. Observation towers scattered throughout the park provide elevated perspectives that reveal the true scale of this glacially sculpted landscape, with its characteristic elongated hills known as eskers and the deep troughs of kettle lakes. Canoeing is the most popular activity, with several rental companies offering kayaks and canoes along with maps of recommended routes that range from half-day paddles to multi-day expeditions with overnight stops at lakeside villages. The calm, clean waters and the absence of motorised boat traffic make for a peaceful experience, broken only by the calls of loons and the splash of beavers.
Wildlife, Forests, and Protected Reservations
Aukstaitija National Park is a haven for wildlife, with 194 species of birds and 60 species of mammals recorded within its boundaries. The park’s forests, which cover approximately 70 percent of its area, are dominated by Scots pine, Norway spruce, and birch, with patches of oak and lime on richer soils. These woodlands support populations of moose, red deer, wild boar, and the elusive Eurasian lynx. Birdwatchers can spot white-tailed eagles, black storks, and common cranes, while the park’s lakes teem with pike, perch, and bream. Some areas of the park are strictly protected and accessible only with a guide. These include the Trainiskis reservation, which encompasses the pristine Baltys and Gruodiskes lakes, and the Azvincia forest, where stands of 150- to 200-year-old pine trees create a cathedral-like atmosphere. The park’s management balances conservation with public access, maintaining a network of marked hiking and cycling trails while limiting development and motorised transport. In designated areas, visitors are permitted to collect mushrooms and berries, a cherished Lithuanian tradition that connects locals and tourists alike with the natural bounty of the forest.
Lusiai lake in Paluse, Lithuania by Wojsyl
The area with lakes is very popular for tourists especially those who love canoeing and camping, but also for the hikers who will find numerous marked trails here. In some areas of the park it is allowed to collect mushrooms and berries.
Aukstaitija National Park contains a hundred villages, some of which date back to the 18th century. Five of them – Suminai, Salos II, Vaisnoriskes, Varniskes II and Strazdai were even declared as protected ethnographic centres. Ginuciai Village boasts a watermill from the 19th century, and the village Stripeikiai has a Museum of ancient bee-keeping. The park has several ancient piliakalnis (fortification mounds), such as Taurapilio on the southern shore of Lake Tauragnas.
Wooden church in Paluse, Lithuania by Wojsyl
The great attractions of the park also include wooden churches and bell tower from 1750 that you can even find on 1 LTL bills. Another interesting part of the park is the path lined with wooden statues and leads around the lake Lusiai, which is a typical example of popular folklore.