More than five hundred years ago, the rulers of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania went hunting for pleasure in the Žvėrinčius forest. Today holidaymakers come here to enjoy the peace and do sport. The forest has a 12 km paved loop for walkers and cyclists, rest areas and outdoor fitness spots. Visitors to Žvėrinčius praise the beauty of the forest and its well-kept surroundings. Many say they feel a surge of energy here, probably thanks to the large amount of oxygen given off by the pines and the special microclimate of the pine forest. Cycling or walking along the wellness trail, you will find shelters with fire pits and outdoor fitness equipment in as many as seven places. One area is set aside for cyclists to catch their breath. The trail winds close to the bank of the Nemunas. The Druskupis stream flows at the edge of the forest; it has been dammed to form two ponds with sandy beaches, toilets and changing cabins. The forest is adorned with striking wooden sculptures and natural monuments. Here you will find an oak wrapped in legends, under which Grand Duke Vytautas himself is said to have sat. However, in 2005 a hurricane brought the giant down, so you can now see it lying on the ground, slowly being covered by moss. Right next to it is a pine with skirt-like "collars", a kind found in only a few places in Lithuania. Stories of noble hunts in Žvėrinčius go back as far as the 15th century. Historians say there were no wild animals in the Nemunas loop, so bison had to be driven in from further afield. The people of Birštonas themselves say Žvėrinčius is at its most beautiful in the morning. That is when the rising sun lights up the dewy grass and you may see forest birds or even roe deer running past. In summer you will be delighted to find wild strawberries here, and in autumn mushrooms. Officially, the Žvėrinčius wellness trail starts at the Tourist Information Centre next to Vytautas Park, which makes the trail as long as 15 km. However, you can also conveniently leave your car right next to the forest, at the end of Pušyno Street or by the pond.