Dramatic sinkhole in the Biržai karst landscape
Photo by www.vle.lt / See source website
🕳️ Underground & CavesPanevėžysModerate

Biržai Karst Region

Biržai, Panevėžys3-4 hoursBest: May to September

Lithuania's most dramatic karst landscape — over 9,000 sinkholes, underground rivers, and dissolving bedrock that occasionally swallows roads and fields without warning.

The Biržai karst region is one of Lithuania's most geologically extraordinary areas. Beneath the seemingly flat northern Lithuanian landscape, underground water has been dissolving gypsum and dolomite bedrock for millions of years, creating a honeycomb of cavities, underground rivers, and sinkholes. Over 9,000 sinkholes have been documented in the region, ranging from shallow depressions to dramatic collapsed features meters deep. New sinkholes still appear, sometimes swallowing sections of road or farmland. The Kirkilai lakes nearby are among the most dramatic examples — deep, crystal-clear lakes formed by collapsed cave systems.

Why Visit

A rare and dramatic geological landscape where the earth literally opens beneath your feet. The karst features are unique in the Baltic states.

History

The karst features have been forming for millions of years. The region has been studied scientifically since the 19th century.

Address

Biržai region, Panevėžys county

56.2000, 24.7600

Visitor Tips

  • 1Visit the Kirkilai lakes for the most dramatic sinkholes
  • 2A car is essential for exploring the scattered features
  • 3The Biržai brewery offers excellent local beer
  • 4Check locally for recent sinkhole appearances

Tags

karstgeologysinkholesundergroundBiržainature

Nearby Locations

Crystal-clear turquoise water of Kirkilai karst lake
Laima Gūtmane (simka…
Panevėžys
Easy access
💧 Water Features

Kirkilai Karst Lakes

A cluster of deep, crystal-clear lakes formed by collapsed karst caves — some of the most unusual and beautiful water features in Lithuania, with depths reaching 15 meters.

Biržai1-2 hours
Biržai Castle surrounded by moats with the karst landscape beyond
www.15min.lt
Panevėžys
Easy access
📜 Historic Curiosities

Biržai Castle and Karst Region

A reconstructed Renaissance castle surrounded by one of Lithuania's most unusual geological landscapes — a region riddled with sinkholes, karst caves, and mysterious underground rivers.

Biržai3-4 hours