Curonian Spit National Park (Neringa)

The Curonian Spit National Park is a UNESCO site in Western Lithuania that occupies approx. half of a 100km peninsula that stretches up from the Russian province of Kaliningrad; it is reached by a short 5 minute ferry ride from Klaipeda (there is no bridge due to the ships). There are 4 fishing villages on the Spit, which is mainly covered by pine trees inhabited by moose, wild boar, and many bird species. Behind the Spit is the Curonian Lagoon; this broadens as you head south.

We travel down to the Nida area, 48 km from Klaipeda and 3km from the Russian border, and work our way back up. We walk around the outskirts of the Parnidis Dune to the fishing village of Nida. Then it's on the Hill of Witches, a 42 m high hill that was a focus of pagan ritual centuries before Lithuania adopted Christianity; since 1979, wooden sculptures have been added, describing describing local legends etc. Our final stop is at a cormorant colony; there are thousands here, but their excrement kills the trees they live in!

An excellent day out.Read more