Labanoras gāršas izziņas taka

Labanoras rich deciduous forest is the second largest in Lithuania. It’s key value is it’s system of lakes, which consists of 285 small forest lakes that enriches the soil and provides good growth conditions for flora and fauna. Here you will find the largest population of osprey in the Baltics. Since ancient times the forest is known for it’s special pine trees. Already during the reign of the Russian czar Peter I these pine trees  had been exported to Russia to be used in ship building as ship masts, as they are distinct for their height and small number of branches. In the Baltics, the pine trees most genetically close to those in Labanoras can only be seen in surrondings of Riga.

Walking along the trail you shall notice several small hillocks – ancient burial grounds, which bespokes of the fact that this area had been inhabited already since the 9th century. The trail also stretches through the Woodland Key Habitat. This is a wooded area not affected by economic activity, or affected at the slightest extent. Be careful here, as in spring and autumn part of the path may be flooded, therefore it is suggested to take appropriate footwear along. There might also be few other obstacles in some parts of the trail due to the poor condition of the boardwalk (broken, rotten planks), therefore some caution is advised. Part of the boardwalk was renovated in 2018 and renovation continues.