P3 hiking route "Šakarva Loop"

P3 hiking route "Šakarva Loop"

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Way of traveling: Route distance: 12 km Duration of the route: 3 h.
Dirt road: 25% Forest path: 75%

Ring-shaped half a day hiking route that starts in Palūšė.

The route mostly goes through the forest.

The route starts at the Aukštaitija National Park Visitor Centre. Out in the Lūšių Street, turn left. After 200 metres, turn right to Pašakarvio Street. The asphalted road ends after another 200 m. There is a straight road connecting Palūšė and Šilinė. At Šilinė, the road makes a sharp turn to the left, and gravel road turns into a forest path. Go along this path for approximately 1 km until you reach the campsite. Immediately after this campsite you will come up to an asphalted road. Turn right, and after 150 metres turn left to a small byway leading to the forest. At first take the left fork, and the right one a bit later. Soon you will come out to the bigger road. After 400 m take the left fork. After crossing over a small stream you'll get to the forest road again. Follow the blue marking leading to the North, and you will reach Palūšė.

Route start. Exposition of the Visitor Centre in Palūšė
The main topic of the display is "People of the Lakes". It presents ancient, as well as modern ways of fishing, rafting and swimming cattle to pastures. The display is oriented towards visitors of various ages and interests. It will help you to plan your own route around the park. While parents are busy with planning, kids can practice catching fish or "making" signal fire. Visitors Center Working Time: II-V from 8 am to 5 pm; VI from 10 am to 3 pm; VII-I  - closed.  
Duration: 30 min.
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Duration: 45 min. Distance: 3.7 km
Campsite "Šakarva"
The campsite is located by lake Šakarvai. At this campsite you will find arbors, outdoor tables with benches, fireplaces, outdoor toilets. You are permitted to set up tents and make bonfires on the campsite. The campsite is free of charge.
Duration: 15 min.
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Duration: 2 h. Distance: 8 km
Palūšė St. Joseph's parish church
 This church was built in 1750. Priest Juozapas Baziliauskas built it on his own land, which he inherited from his parents and named “St. Joseph’s Church”. The only tool used during the construction process was an axe. The octagonal bell tower was built later, around 1800. It is reminiscent of olden Lithuanian wooden castle‘s lookout posts. The wooden church and the bell tower are protected as an architectural monument.
Duration: 10 min.
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The Palūšė oak
 Pedunculate Oak (Quercus robur). Trunk girth - 4.5 m. Height - 30 m. Age - approximately 400 years. People say that a priest wanted to cut down the tree, but during a thunderstorm it diverted lighting from the church. The priest showed mercy on the tree, so the oak continued to protect the church.
Duration: < 10 min.
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Duration: < 10 min. Distance: 83 m
Barrows exposition and Stone Age Hut
 The land of the Aukštaitija National Park is rich in archaeological excavations. There are more than 6500 burial mounds discovered in the area. The exposed burial mound in Palūšė shows a Bronze Age (5th-6th century) burial site. The Stone Age Hut stands next to it. The reconstruction of the hut was done according to actual findings near Kretuonas Lake.  Price for adults -1 € per person.
Duration: 30 min.
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Duration: < 10 min. Distance: 130 m