Puntukas Stone

Puntuko akmuo

One of Lithuania's largest boulders, a glacial erratic hidden in the forest near Anykščiai and carved with reliefs of aviators Darius and Girėnas. It is a national natural monument and a popular woodland stop.

Things to do

• View the Darius and Girėnas reliefs — Study the carved portraits and testament of the two transatlantic aviators, sculpted into the boulder by Bronius Pundzius in 1943.
• Circle the giant boulder — Walk fully around the 265-cubic-meter glacial erratic, one of Lithuania's largest stones left by retreating ice sheets.
• Stroll the surrounding pine forest — Follow the shaded woodland trails through the Anykščiai pinewood that frames the monument.
• Visit nearby Anykščiai town — Combine the stone with a trip to Anykščiai to see the twin-spired St. Matthew's Church, the tallest church in Lithuania.
• Walk the Anykščiai treetop path — Head to the Treetop Walking Path (Medžių lajų takas) for elevated forest views nearby.
• Explore the Horse Museum in Niūronys — See the folk-culture museum dedicated to horses in the village near the stone.

Food to try

• Kepta duona — Fried dark rye bread sticks with garlic, a classic Lithuanian snack served in Anykščiai taverns.
• Cepelinai — Potato dumplings stuffed with minced meat and topped with sour cream and bacon, the national comfort dish.
• Anykščiai wine (Anykščių vynas) — Fruit and berry wines produced locally in Anykščiai, worth tasting at the town's wineries.
• Šaltibarščiai — Cold beetroot soup with kefir, dill and boiled potatoes, refreshing on a warm woodland day.
• Grybų sriuba — Wild mushroom soup made from forest mushrooms, fitting for a meal after a walk in the pinewood.

Local customs & good to know

• Honor the aviators' legacy — The reliefs commemorate Darius and Girėnas, who died in 1933 attempting to fly the Atlantic; treat the monument respectfully.
• Bring sturdy shoes — The stone sits on forest ground that can be muddy, so wear appropriate footwear for the woodland path.
• Combine with Anykščiai attractions — The stone is a short drive from Anykščiai, so plan it alongside the town's church, wineries and treetop path.
• Respect the natural monument — Puntukas is a protected national natural monument, so do not climb on or damage the carvings.

Nearby

• Anykščiai Narrow-Gauge Railway — 4 km
• Anykščiai — 4 km
• Burbiškis Manor — 32 km
• Molėtai (Utena & Lakes) — 35 km