Kurtuvėnai Regional Park

Kurtuvėnų regioninis parkas

A protected landscape of forests, lakes and hilly terrain popular for hiking, cycling and horse riding. Its historic manor and old church make it a scenic getaway near Šiauliai.

Things to do

• Explore Kurtuvėnai Manor — Wander the restored 18th-century estate grounds with its stables, granary and visitor centre that anchors the park.
• Visit St. James Church — See the historic wooden Baroque church of St. James in Kurtuvėnai village, a landmark of local pilgrimage.
• Horse riding at the manor stables — Book a guided ride or lesson at the manor's equestrian centre, one of the park's signature draws.
• Hike the nature trails — Follow marked walking paths through forests, wetlands and rolling moraine hills across the protected landscape.
• Cycle the forest routes — Ride cycling tracks that link lakes, villages and viewpoints throughout the regional park.
• Relax by Bubių or Gilvytis lakes — Swim, picnic or fish at the park's scenic lakes surrounded by pine woods.
• Climb park viewpoints — Take in panoramic views over the hilly terrain from observation points along the trails.

Food to try

• Cepelinai — Hearty potato dumplings stuffed with minced meat, a staple of any Lithuanian meal in the region.
• Šaltibarščiai — Bright pink cold beetroot soup with kefir, served with boiled potatoes in summer.
• Kastinys — A traditional Samogitian whipped sour-cream butter dish eaten with hot potatoes.
• Bulviniai blynai — Crispy potato pancakes served with sour cream, a common countryside snack.
• Rye bread and honey — Dark sourdough rye bread and local forest honey sold at rural markets near the park.
• Manor café fare — Simple homemade soups, dumplings and cakes served at eateries around Kurtuvėnai Manor.

Local customs & good to know

• Stop at the visitor centre first — The manor's park information point provides trail maps, event schedules and horse-riding bookings.
• Respect the protected landscape — Stay on marked trails, camp only in designated sites and take litter with you to preserve the reserve.
• Time your visit for a festival — The manor hosts seasonal fairs, concerts and equestrian events that showcase Samogitian traditions.
• Bring cash for rural spots — Small village vendors and some manor services may not accept cards, so carry euros.

Nearby

• Šiauliai — 15 km
• Hill of Crosses — 26 km
• Telšiai (Telšiai & Samogitia) — 60 km
• Panevėžys (Panevėžys Region) — 75 km