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🌿 Nature SpotsAlytusModerate
Nemunas Loops Regional Park
Prienai, AlytusFull dayBest: May to October
Where the Nemunas River carves dramatic oxbow loops through forested hills — Lithuania's most scenic river landscape, with viewpoints, castles, and ancient hillforts.
The Nemunas Loops Regional Park protects one of Lithuania's most spectacular river landscapes. Here, the country's mightiest river carves deep, sweeping meanders through forested hills, creating dramatic oxbow loops, steep bluffs, and secluded river valleys. The landscape is more reminiscent of the Rhine Gorge than typical Lithuanian scenery.
The park encompasses several hillforts, castle ruins (including Punia Hillfort, one of the most famous in Lithuania), viewpoints offering vertiginous river panoramas, and quiet villages where traditional Dzūkija culture survives. Hiking trails follow the river bluffs, and kayaking through the loops offers a water-level perspective on the dramatic scenery.
Why Visit
Lithuania's most dramatic river landscape. The deep meanders of the Nemunas through forested hills create scenery that surprises visitors who expect Lithuania to be flat.
54.5667, 23.9833
Visitor Tips
- 1Punia Hillfort viewpoint is the highlight
- 2Several hiking trails of varying difficulty
- 3Kayaking through the loops is highly recommended
- 4The Birštonas spa town is a good base