Lake Germantas Nature Trails

The recreational infrastructure – cycling and walking trails – links lakes Germantas and Ilgis. In total, 12.4 km of nature and cycling trails have been laid out and marked in the reserve: 650 m of nature trails with wooden surfacing, almost 5 km (4.7 km) of walking nature trails on reinforced ground, and almost 6 km of cycle paths. Five large information boards, 15 signposts, site boards and 300 markers on tree trunks showing a cyclist, a walker or bare feet help you find your way. In 2018–2019 the Germantas Landscape Reserve was renewed, with new nature trails and other fun leisure activities. In the renewed reserve visitors can travel along lakes Ilgis and Germantas on foot or by bike on two parallel trails connected by loops. On the eastern shore of Lake Germantas there is an information area introducing visitors to the landscape features of the reserve. A little further on, in the forest, there is a reflection area with a field-stone energy labyrinth, meditation huts and a fire-sensing spot. Travelling from Germantas towards Lake Ilgis, young nature lovers can try out nature-learning installations such as "Bird's Nest", "Beetle Hotel", "Getting to Know Trees", "Forest Classroom" and others. At Germantas there is also a sensory trail for walking barefoot across bog, gravel, peat and stones. These and other attractions are for visitors on the walking and cycling trails. Wooden walkways for people with disabilities give convenient access to the water. The shores of Lake Germantas have been reinforced with stones and gravel, and a spring has been tidied up. The Germantas State Landscape Reserve, covering 924 hectares, was established on 27 September 1960 as one of the first in Lithuania. The reserve preserves the landscape typical of the Central Samogitian Highlands with its complex of lakes. It includes the Džiuginėnai, Pagermantė and Lieplaukė forests, as well as lakes Germantas, Ilgis and Durbinas with the Durbinis, Gėrupis, Stujos and Gelžupis streams.