Unwinding in the Green Town of Anyksciai, Lithuania

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Considering it’s not one of the most talked about tourist destinations, when I see or hear about cool places in Lithuania I tend to take notice. At some point through another travel blogger, I learned of the town of Anyksciai and its canopy boardwalk and that was enough for me to file it away in my memory for my next trip. So of course, when I returned to Lithuania last year I made sure I would put visiting Anyksciai on my Lithuania itinerary.

True to form, I knew very little about Anyksciai other than the boardwalk before going. Without much in the way of major historical landmarks, I may have decided not to visit had I researched more. Thankfully I did visit Anyksciai though, as I got see all the greenery that surrounds this unobtrusive town. From the riverfront to the forest and everywhere else around Anykščiai green is the dominant colour and part of what makes Anyksciai such a treat to experience.

The Town of Anyksciai

As I said, my Anyksciai travel plans were fairly basic so I didn’t know all that much about the town before arriving. For instance, I didn’t know that Anykščiai is actually quite popular as a ski resort for Lithuanians. That would go someway to explaining why the owner of the apartment I was renting was so surprised to be dealing with an Australian of all people!

Located in northeastern Lithuania, the nearest city is that of Utena, which is again somewhere non-Lithuanians have likely not heard of either.  So while Anykščiai may be lively come winter for skiing, it was relatively relaxed in mid-June while I was there. Much like other ski destinations though, one outdoor activity is easily swapped for another and I could see Anyksciai being popular with hikers and campers.

Charming Houses of Daukanto

In all honesty, in the town itself I didn’t find all that many places I would call “sights”. That makes sense though as Anyksciai is used more as a resort and base for people looking to do outdoorsy activities. The one part of town that really struck a chord with me was the houses along Daukanto Street. Tucked away off the main square, these traditional wood panel houses had a real charm to them, in no small part thanks to their gardens. It seems this street is a well-established tourist spot as there were several cafes and restaurants lying in wait down the far end of the street.

Catholic Church of St. Matthias

There’s no doubt that the biggest landmark in Anyksciai is the city’s Church of St Matthias. That’s because this towering church isn’t only the highest point in town, but actually the tallest church in Lithuania.  The church spires reach a height of 79 metres and are able to be climbed up for some unparalleled views.

If you didn’t think Anykščiai was a green place before, you’ll have no doubts when you look at the town from on high. It only costs 1€ to visit the church so I highly recommend the trip up. As for the look of the church, it’s a red brick church with what appears to be aluminium sheets atop the towers, not all that uncommon in the Baltic states I’ve found.

Angel Museum

An unlikely attraction that you should be sure to include in your Anyksciai travel plans is the town’s Angel Museum. Much like the Devil Museum in Kaunas, this museum displays a startling variety of angel-themed items. Opened in 2010, 109 angels of every shape, size and style were donated by local figure Beatričė Kleizaitė-Vasaris, while artwork in the church was donated by Monsignor Albertas Talacka. Taking up several rooms, this small museum is a visual overload and certainly lives up to its name. Entry to the Angel Museum costs just 1.5€ and can be found across from the Church of St Matthias.

Pinewood Forests Outside Anyksciai

Even though I knew I was here to see a treetop elevated walkway, I was genuinely surprised how easy it was to reach forest from the centre of the town. Heading southwest out of town, it wasn’t too long before I was met with a massive wall of trees just outside the Anyksciai Graveyard. A little further the road turns into a wide a path for pedestrian and cyclists as you delve into the forest proper, the Anykščiai Pinewood.

Walking into the forest, you’re greeted with the kind of silence only these natural environments can create. Despite sunny weather, there were very few people along this forest path, most of whom were flying past on bicycles. I was more than happy wandering through at a gentle pace though. For families with kids or people with accessibility considerations, there is also a little tourist train that operates along the path.

Anyksciai Treetop Walking Path

It’s easy to tell when you’ve reached the Anyksciai Treetop Walking Path. Standing tall within a clearing you’ll see the huge tower that rise up to meet the forest canopy. At its base is an information centre and places with food, but the tower is actually the exit and has the elevator for those with mobility issues. To reach the actual entrance to the walking path, you need to continue on a little bit and follow signs that lead you off to the left into the forest. You’ll be climbing up a small hill but that makes sense for you to reach the walkway.

After paying the 1€ entry fee, you’re free to stroll along this beautifully crafted walkway of steel and wood. The way the elevated trail has been designed to blend into the surroundings is laudable as it does feel like a natural fit. Canopy walks like this are common in Australia, but not so much in Europe that I’ve seen, which just makes the execution here even more impressive. This is actually the only treetop walk in all of eastern Europe right now!

One aspect I didn’t expect was the sounds the canopy makes as it’s far noisier up here than down below. That earlier silence is broken by the creaking of trees swaying in the wind or rubbing against each other, not to mention the general whir of the wind as it passes through.

As you continue along the walkway, the hillside falls away beneath you, showing you higher and higher sections of the forest. The whole path runs around 300 metres and at the end you’re 21 metres from the ground. This may be a challenge for people afraid of heights, but if you can, I’d encourage you to give it a try.

You only get higher though when you reach the tower you saw at the start, which reaches 34 metres above the ground. From the top of the tower, you’re really treated to some fantastic views of this slice of nature.

Puntukas Stone

One attraction in this part of Anyksciai that I didn’t know about until I arrived at the Treetop Walking Path was the Puntukas Stone seen above. This huge granite boulder is actually the second largest stone in Lithuania and there’s plenty of mythology and local legends that surround the stone.

While it has sat in the area for tens of thousands of years, it received a bit of an upgrade back in 1943. Local sculptor Bronius Pundzius carved the portraits and the last wills of two renowned Lithuanian pilots.

Along the Sventoji River

Whether you’re in the middle of town at Anyksciai or down near the forest, be sure to head down to the Sventoji riverfront. This peaceful river has shockingly clear water and its verdant banks are just bursting with life. Along the eastern bank you’ll find cycling paths near town and in the forest there’s a minor walking trail right by the water’s edge. If you’re looking for the perfect balance of nature, you can’t go wrong spending a moment down by the river.

Visiting Anyksciai

Perhaps the biggest challenge of visiting Anyksciai really is getting there. The town doesn’t sit on one of Lithuania’s few train lines, meaning bus is the only form of public transport you’ll have available. Anyksciai isn’t a major destination, so you’ll first need to reach Ukmerge or maybe Utena and then transfer from there. For bus information in Lithuania, check here.

As for where to stay in Anyksciai, you have a few options open to you. The town has a few hotels, but most of the accommodation in Anyksciai are apartments, many found well outside the town centre. Still, that’s all to be expected in a smaller destination like this. Honestly though, if you have the option of renting a car, that’d be a great way both reach Anyksciai and see it as a day trip or stop as you travel through Lithuania.

Some sights in Anyksciai I didn’t see that you might want to look into include the Burbiskis Manor, the Okuliciute Manor and the Light of Happiness Monument.

Have you heard of Anyksciai before or its Treetop Walking Path? Would you make a stop as you travel through Lithuania to see this town? Please share your thoughts in the comments below.

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