In Lithuania’s pagan days, a mere six centuries ago, forests were sacred, literally. Lithuanians still view their forests as a sanctuary from everyday pressures. Consequently, Lithuania has a lot to offer the outdoor enthusiast: fishing, hunting, hiking, mushrooming, swimming, camping, horseback riding and canoeing. The Soviet occupation left the all-too-common, Communist-inflicted scars on Lithuania’s environment: fouled rivers, contaminated sites from over 400 military bases, and decrepit, smoke-chugging factories. At the same time, collectivization here, as in Estonia and Latvia, left abandoned farms which were eventually reclaimed by the surrounding forests. Today, over 27 percent of Lithuania is covered with forests, which are highly treasured by Lithuanians, young and old. Lithuania also has at least one herd of wild European bison, with a number of sightings reported near the Belarussian-Lithuanian border. If you hunt down and kill one of these rare beasts, Lithuania’s forestry department will draw and quarter you.
Anyksciai: In the north of the country is the small winery town, famous for the forest a little to the south. The Forest of Anyksciai has been an inspiration to many works of literature, most notably The Grove of Anyksciai, written by Antanas Baranauskas in response to the Czar’s government felling trees from the revered area (see CITY PAPER No. 35 for the poem.) Within the forest is also a huge boulder, which, while hiding from Soviet forces, sculptor Bronius Pundlius created a monument to pioneering Lithuanian aviators Steponas Darius and Stasys Girenas. It is not hard to see where the inspiration of the poem came from.
Aukstaitijos National Park: Located 100 kilometers northeast of Vilnius, this 40,570- hectare national park is a paradise of rolling pine forests, lazy rivers and sparkling, interconnected lakes. Contact its tourism and recreation center at tel. (368) 47-430 or e-mail at anp@is.lt for information on camping and accommodations, including tent, sleeping bag and canoe or surfing board rentals. www.ignalina.lt
Ballooning: For the daring and/or crazy, you can also see Lithuania by hot air balloon. You can book hour-long or even longer trips; one hour costs about 110 dollars. Contact the Balloonist Center at Pylimo 45, tel. 273-2703; www.ballooning.lt
Biking: Lithuania’s relatively flat, so it can be an ideal country for cycling. Info on routes and organized trips at www.bicycle.lt
Fishing: Some of the finest pike waters in Europe are found in Lithuania’s lakes, where lunkers of 5 kilos or more are caught every year. Lithuania’s rivers offer especially good trout fishing. Ice fishing in winter is wildly popular, though only for the hardy or foolish. For more information, contact the Merkys Fishing Club at Stikliu 6, tel. 686-65444.
Horseback riding: Ýemoji riese, Zirgu 12, tel. 246-9091. Or at Gineistiskiu, tel. 231-9007. You can rent a horse with or without taking lessons. If you want to ride free, you can ask to clean the stables as payment.
For other options you can also look at www.horse.lt
