Tytuvėnai Regional Park

Tytuvėnai Regional Park was founded in 1992 in order to preserve the picturesque landscape of hills, marshes and lakes, the historical urban monuments of Šiluva and Tytuvėnai, as well as the unique nature and the cultural heritage. The territory of the regional park is spread out at the intersection of Kelmė, Raseiniai and Radviliškis districts. The area of the park – 18 159 ha, of which 45.4 percent are forests, 10.7 percent – marshes, 1.9 percent – waters, and 42 percent other properties. Nature reserves (protected areas) occupy nearly 60 percent of the park’s territory. Užpelkiai Nature Reserve was established to protect trackless and marshy forests.

A 13.5 km bicycle track has been built around Gilius and Bridvaišis lakes, which give a view of the most beautiful landscapes and provides an easy access to tourist locations, as well as the survey tower. A hiking track has been built around Lake Gilius, which enables the travelers to enjoy the distinctive lakeside nature. Tytuvėnai church and monastery complex and Šiluva religious centre are particularly popular places for visiting.

The unique landscape, the fresh water of the lakes and the cultural and historical monuments in the area will interest both those who like active recreation and those who prefer passive leisure activities. The crystal-clear water of the lakes offers an opportunity to do windsurfing and boating or ride a water bicycle, or take some time off for quite fishing. The area can be explored on foot, by bikes or by car.

Directorate of Tytuvėnai Regional Park recommends various cognitive excursions to the visitors and renders guide services:

1. Tytuvėnai bicycle track. Its length is 13.5 km. The length of the track around Gilius lake is 5 km and around Bridvaišis lake is 6.5 km. The track wanders in the streets of Tytuvėnai town for approximately 2 km. It is possible to familiarize with the most important cultural and natural objects of Tytuvėnai region and admire the picturesque suburbs of the region while traveling.

2. Cognitive track of Gilius lake. You will get to know Gilius lake and its shores while traveling by the cognitive track of 3.3 km. The beaches and rest places situated by Gilius lake will invite for the short rest. Information stands will help to familiarize with fauna and flora of the lake while traveling by the cognitive track. View to the lake and unique “hanging” swamp opens from the survey tower.

3. Cognitive park route. The road meanders through the towns of Tytuvėnai and Šiluva, reaches old cemetery of Roglaičiai village, Akmenė and Rinkšeliai stones, former Pašakarnis estate homestead and returns back to the town of Tytuvėnai through the hill of Kokmaniškės. Total length of the track is 28 km. It is a perfect opportunity to familiarize with the towns, landscape of the neighbourhood. As soon as you mount up Kokmaniškės hill and get up to the tower you are be able to enjoy the scenery of the neighbourhood.

4. Route by cars and on foot around Tytuvėnai town and its neighbourhood (to the ones who want to see a lot and quickly). You will get to know natural valuables that are on the cognitive track of Gilius lake, Apušis lake, Museum of Forest, Tytuvėnai church and ensemble of cloister, moreover, you will be able to have an eyeful around the neighbourhood of Tytuvėnai from the survey tower, which is of 15 metres height, you will mount up Bridvaišis mount while travelling by this route, which lasts for approximately 2 hours.

5. Museum of Forest. Expositions established in here introduce visitors with the fauna of this region, creation of the folk masters, relief of the regional park.

6. Birdwatch. Thousands of cranes gather in the former peat-bogs and contiguous fields during the autumn. In the evenings they fly to the open places of the peat-bogs. This is the best time for the admiration of these birds.

Directorate of Tytuvėnai Regional Park

Taikos st. 6, Tytuvėnai, LT-86477, Kelmės region, tel. / fax +370 427 59 031, tel. +370 427 59 030;

e-mail: tytuvenurp@trp.lt, www.trp.lt