Lithuania

Aukštagirė route
32
Round the hilly lands of Samogitia
67. The walking and cycling route
of Aukštagirė
DISTANCE............... 23 km
DURATION.............. 1 day
SURFACE.................. gravelled roads, field roads
COMPLEXITY.......... high
See the most stunning sites of Samogitia
by taking a 23-kilometre tour along the
Aukštagirė walking and cycling trail built in
the southern part of Varniai Regional Park.
Before you start the trip, in Požerė village
visit and see the Church of the Transformation
of Christ, built in the late 13th century.
The walls of the building are of pine tree
logs, the inside contains a Baroque-style
wooden altar, created and built by the lo-
Accommodation
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cal craftsmen. The church also holds the
Statue of Jesus, which is considered sacred.
From here turn to the east, taking the direction
of Medvėgalis Hill. In the 14th century,
on this 234 metre high hill stood one
of the strongest castles in Samogitia which
was constantly attacked by crusaders. There
are six more hills close to Medvėgalis:
Pilies, Piliorių, Sumonių, Ąžuolų, Alkos and
Bevardis.
Having covered three kilometres you will
ascend Miltai Hill. Stories tell that once this
used to be very fertile land and that the
spring water would never freeze or dry, and
it is therefore referred to as gyvšaltenis (literally
the ‘live water spring’).
You will further reach the mysterious Lamėkalnis
(Pixies’ Hill). Legends have it that
under the hill live pixies. In 2.7 kilometres
you will reach one of the most gorgeous
places of the whole route – Aukštagirė Hill.
On the one side you will see Medvėgalis,
and on the other side Bilionys Mound,
which you will later reach as the route runs