Many of the city’s residents are familiar with the green areas of Vilnius – Vingis Park, Bernardinų Gardens – and have visited Kalnų Park many times, but few have ventured through the spectacular forest that stretches beyond the residential areas of Vingis Park, on the other side of the River Neris.
The abundance of pleasantly beguiling forest paths, fallen trees, deep ravines, cornucopias, and the variety of birds song and rare Lithuanian plants in bloom – all this fully justifies the status of the Karoliniškės Landscape Reserve. Incidentally, this reserve is one of the oldest protected areas in Vilnius, having been established in 1960. The area of the Reserve is considerable – 162 hectares. Along this route, you will be able to see and hear more than 50 species of birds, and see rare plant species such as Mountain St. John’s Wort, Pigeon’s Star, Perennial Honesty, Small Scabious Common Ivy, and Corydalis Intermedia. When visiting the ornithological parts of the Reserve, it is recommended that you walk at a leisurely pace, keeping your ears open and breathing in the smell of the forest (mosses, mushrooms, trees), and taking the time to look closely at each natural object. This is the only way to observe the rich biodiversity, hear the symphony of songbirds and to observe their life and behaviour.
