In short

Neris Regional Park has nine mounds: Stirniai, Naujoji Rėva, Velniakampis, Vėjas (Buivydai II), Karmazinai, Buivydai, Bradeliškės, Grabijolai, and Paalkiai. Each has its own story and legends. The streams leading to the Neris River flow with extraordinary beauty – Dūkšta, Saidė, Vilsa, Čekonė, and Bražuolė. They plunge through the hills and various rocks, dropping into waterfalls, and swirling in whirlpools.

And let’s not forget about the mythological stones! Between Dūkštai and Airėnai, near the Kernavės road, sits the Airėnai Stone carved with enigmatic signs, sometimes called runes. And the Valai stone with an embossed foot, which is located in the Village of Valaie, is known locally as the foot of Mary. It serves as a reminder of a legend that holds god was walking on earth when the stones were still soft. According to other legends, they are the feet of fairies. There is another stone with footprints in it in the vicinity of Karmazinai – Dziuravas. Some kind of mythological creature must have left its footprints in it.

The mounds of Bradeliškės and Buivydai were reborn in the Neris Regional Park near Vilnius when new footpaths and wooden stairs were installed on them. There is a viewing area installed in the northern part of the Buivydai mound above the upper slope. There are many places to stroll around in the Neris Regional Park. Visitors are offered several routes and attractions.

Brief History

Created in 1992, this 10,000-hectare park consists mainly of forests and the occasional village. It is a perfect example the way ancient glaciers have shaped landscapes. The regional park includes a particularly beautiful segment of the Neris Valley between the first Lithuanian capital Kernavė and the current Lithuanian capital Vilnius. The area has been populated for more than 10,000 years, so a walk in the park provides an opportunity to discover many stories and secrets.

There are 30 natural and cultural heritage objects scattered throughout one of the largest and oldest surviving oak forests where pagans used to worship their gods. If you’re interested in more recent history, visit the former demarcation line between Lithuania and Poland dating back to the interwar period in the Village of Ausiutiškės.

How to arrive?

If you would like to visit the Neris Regional Park mounds by car you need to drive from Vilnius to Sudervė in the direction of Kernavė. After driving 1 km from the Town of Dūkštos, turn left at the Dūkštos oak forest and drive 1 km to the parking lot. From there it is 300 metres to the Bradeliškės mound and 1.3 km to the Buivydai mound.

If you want to go to the Visitor Information Centre, look for a big beautiful red church as you approach Dūkštai.