In Aukštadvaris Regional Park, landscape conservation is connected with cultural heritage; the town itself also has a protected urban ensemble. If you are looking for a hotel in Aukštadvaris, you can tailor your trip to your interests: natural features and trails offer a different focus from historic sites and the history of the school.
Hilly Landscapes, Valleys and Lakes
The regional park was established to preserve the upper landscapes of the Verknė and Strėva rivers, their natural ecosystem and cultural heritage. Natural features include the Mergiškiai–Aukštadvaris hill system, Gedanoniai Hill, the valleys of the Verknė and Strėva, around 80 valley lakes, and Velnio duobė (Devil’s Pit), which is 40 metres deep. The range extends from entire landscape systems to striking individual features. Anyone interested in nature and landscapes will find a variety of sights here that draw the eye to ridges, river valleys and water.
Trails and Canoeing
The park has five walking trails as well as cycling routes. Named routes include Mergiškių žiedas, Protėvių takas, Rangavos žiedas, Green Trail, Around the Town of Aukštadvaris, By the Devil's Pit and By the Sacred Springs. Check route information before your trip so you can make your choice based on the latest route details.
Canoeing is also possible on a section of the upper Verknė, between Lake Vilkokšnis and the Aukštadvaris hydroelectric power plant. Water conditions and the availability of this activity may vary seasonally. Therefore, check the latest conditions and offers before making plans. This will help you choose between trails on land and an activity on the water based on what is actually available.
Protected Cultural Heritage in Aukštadvaris
The protected urban ensemble of Aukštadvaris includes a church and monastery complex, a landscaped park with Lithuania’s first trout farm, a hydroelectric power plant, Aukštadvaris Hillfort and Kartuvės Hill. Religious buildings, park design, technology and archaeological heritage thus stand side by side as different aspects of cultural heritage. Those interested in history can also explore these themes through the hillfort, which lies on the left bank of the Verknė. Archaeological finds indicate settlement there in the 2nd–1st century BC.
School History and Museum
The museum of Trakų r. Aukštadvario gimnazija was established in 2000 in a historic primary school building constructed in 1913. The chronology distinguishes the different stages: the building dates from 1913, while the museum was founded in 2000. The 2017 exhibition displayed 2,770 objects in separate sections. This figure therefore relates to a specific exhibition and adds its own point of reference in time to the history of the older school building.
Before Your Trip
The regional park visitor centre provides information about the park, natural and cultural sites, walking trails and recreational areas. Publications, souvenirs and visitor tickets are also sold there. Visitor services may change, so check the latest arrangements before your trip.
Discover more destinations: Glitiškės, Žuklijai, Karvys, Aluona, Avižieniai, Antatilčiai, Žydkaimis, Trakai.
For the broader travel overview: Vilnius District.
