Karoliniškės Reserve Nature Trails

If you're short on energy, you can simply stroll slowly along the bank of the Neris, and if you're craving a workout, climb the steep ravines and collect new viewpoints over the city. There are even spots where you'll have to climb up using tree roots! The most convenient places to start exploring the 162-hectare reserve are the Plikakalnis outcrop in Lazdynai, the woods by Sausio 13-osios St. 5 in Karoliniškės, or the Žvėrynas riverside by the footbridge leading to Vingis Park. The hills are almost uninhabited (there are just a few homesteads at the eastern foot, in Žvėrynas ward) and covered with mixed forest, the Karoliniškės forest park. Pines, oaks and grey alders dominate the stands, with small-leaved lindens, Norway maples and elms along the forest edge. Rare plants grow here: mountain St John's wort, wood stitchwort, perennial honesty, common ivy and intermediate meadow-rue. To preserve the distinctive erosion ravines of the Neris valley, together with the Plikakalnis outcrop and rare plant species, the Karoliniškės Landscape Reserve was established as early as 1960, making it one of the oldest protected areas in the city of Vilnius. Today the reserve is popular and adapted for city residents' recreation. It has nature trails of various lengths: Ravine Bottom, Hill Ridges, River Valley, Forest Edge and Plikakalnis. There are also cross-country ski tracks, cycle paths, information boards and signs, benches for visitors, viewing platforms and lookout points.