Anykščiai, Lithuania

Quick answer: Anykščiai is a small town in northeast Lithuania, about 110 km from Vilnius and 1.5 hours by car. It has three distinctive attractions that set it apart from most Lithuanian provincial towns: a treetop walking path that rises 21 metres above the forest floor, a working narrow-gauge steam railway through the countryside, and access to the lakes and forests of Aukštaitija (Aukštaitija National Park, Lithuania’s first and largest national park). There is no practical direct public transport from Vilnius; car or organised tour is required.

The treetop walking path (Lajų Takas)

The treetop walking path opened in 2013 and is one of the most distinctive nature attractions in the Baltic states. A 300-metre elevated wooden walkway winds through the canopy of a mixed forest, reaching 21 metres above ground at its highest point, with an observation tower rising to 32 metres.

What makes this more than a tourist gimmick: the path is integrated into the forest ecology (engineers consulted with the trees’ root systems in the design), the views from the tower across the Šventoji River valley and surrounding lakes are genuinely impressive, and the path is well-maintained year-round. In spring (May) the beech and oak canopy is fresh green; in autumn (September–October) the colours are exceptional.

Entry: approximately €8–10 for adults, €5 for children. The path circuit takes about 1 hour at a relaxed pace. Combined tickets with the Ąžuolynas (Oak Grove) area are available.

The path is at the Horse Museum and Anykščiai Regional Park complex, about 3 km from the town centre.

The narrow-gauge steam railway (Siaurasis Geležinkelis)

Anykščiai is one of the few places in Lithuania where a working narrow-gauge railway still operates. The Anykščiai Steam Railway runs excursion trains on summer weekends (check the schedule — it’s seasonal) through the countryside between Anykščiai and Rubikiai. The vintage steam locomotives date from the Soviet period.

The ride takes about 40–50 minutes each way through fields and forests. It’s not a transportation option — this is a heritage experience. Entry is around €5–8 per person. Children are genuinely engaged by the working steam engine, the narrow carriages, and the countryside passing at 30 km/h.

Check current operating schedules before visiting — the railway runs specific days and times in summer only, and the schedule varies year to year.

Aukštaitija National Park

Aukštaitija (Aukštaitija National Park, established 1974) is Lithuania’s largest and most ecologically diverse national park — 400 square kilometres of lakes, rivers, old-growth forest, and traditional villages. Anykščiai is on its southwestern edge.

The park’s interior — accessible only by car or bicycle — has some of the most remote landscape in Lithuania. Key features:

• Baluošas Lake complex: A labyrinth of interconnected lakes ideal for kayaking and canoe touring
• Minčia beekeeping museum: Traditional Lithuanian apiculture in a forest setting
• Stelmuže Oak: Claimed to be Lithuania’s oldest living oak (at least 1,500 years old), in a village 20 km from Anykščiai

For a proper Aukštaitija experience — canoe touring, multiple days in the forest — a dedicated trip from Vilnius makes more sense than a day visit. But Anykščiai gives a taste of the park’s landscape.

Vilnius: Anyksciai countryside day tour

Getting to Anykščiai from Vilnius

Car: 110 km via the A2 motorway toward Ukmergė, then local roads. About 1.5 hours. Most visitors to Anykščiai drive.

Bus: There are direct buses from Vilnius to Anykščiai, approximately 2 hours, departures a few times daily. From the town centre, the treetop path requires a 3 km walk or local taxi.

Organised day tour: Given the lack of practical train service and the distance from Vilnius, an organised day tour that handles transport and includes a guide is efficient for visitors without a car.

Combining Anykščiai with the Hill of Crosses

One interesting day-trip combination: Anykščiai and the Hill of Crosses. Both are in northern Lithuania, but in different directions from Vilnius (Anykščiai is northeast; the Hill of Crosses is northwest near Šiauliai). By car, you’d drive roughly 200 km in a loop. The organised tour covering both exists and is worth considering if you want to cover both in a single long day from Vilnius.

Vilnius: Anyksciai hill of crosses day trip

The Anykščiai literary connection

Anykščiai has a notable place in Lithuanian literature: the poem “The Forest of Anykščiai” (Anykščių Šilelis, 1858) by Antanas Baranauskas is one of the foundational works of 19th-century Lithuanian poetry — a lament for the destruction of the forest by Russian imperial policies, and an early expression of Lithuanian national feeling through landscape.

The poem is known to most educated Lithuanians in the way that canonical national works are. The forest the poem describes is the same Šilelis forest where the treetop path now sits — which gives the visit an unexpected literary dimension if you’re aware of it.

Where to eat in Anykščiai

Anykščiai is a small town (population around 10,000) and dining options are limited.

• Miestelio Užeiga (near the central square): Lithuanian food — cepelinai, soups, grilled dishes. Reliable and inexpensive; €8–12 for a main. The most consistent choice for lunch.
• Lajų Takas café (at the treetop path complex): Café food — sandwiches, cake, coffee. Convenient for a post-walk stop; not a sit-down meal.
• Bring provisions from Vilnius for a full day — the town has a Maxima supermarket for supplies.

Practical notes

Seasonality: The treetop path is open year-round but is best in the green season (May–September). The steam railway is summer-only. The national park is most accessible May–October; winter forest roads can be impassable without proper tyres.

Children: Anykščiai is one of the most family-appropriate day trips from Vilnius. The treetop path delights children, the steam train is genuinely engaging, and the forest walks are accessible.

What to wear: The treetop path has open sections that are exposed in wind. The forest floor walks around the park can be muddy in wet weather. Appropriate footwear and a light layer are recommended.

Frequently asked questions about Anykščiai

How do I get to Anykščiai from Vilnius without a car?

Bus service runs from Vilnius bus station to Anykščiai a few times daily (approximately 2 hours, €6–10). From the town centre, the treetop path is 3 km away — walkable in about 45 minutes or accessible by local taxi. An organised day tour from Vilnius is the most convenient option if you don’t want to manage connections independently.

What is the Anykščiai treetop path?

A 300-metre elevated wooden walkway through the forest canopy, rising to 21 metres above the forest floor, with an observation tower at 32 metres. It’s in the Anykščiai Regional Park/Horse Museum complex, about 3 km from the town centre. Entry is approximately €8–10. It takes about 1 hour to complete.

Is the narrow-gauge railway in Anykščiai still running?

The Anykščiai narrow-gauge steam railway operates on specific summer weekends and holidays. Check the current schedule before visiting — it is seasonal and the timetable varies. When operating, the round trip through the countryside takes about 90 minutes and costs around €5–8 per person.

What is Aukštaitija National Park?

Lithuania’s largest national park (established 1974), covering approximately 400 km² of lake country, old-growth forest, and traditional villages in northeast Lithuania. Anykščiai is on its southwestern edge. The park is best explored by car or canoe; a day trip from Vilnius gives a taste but doesn’t cover the park’s interior properly.

Is Anykščiai worth the trip from Vilnius?

For families and nature-focused visitors, yes. The treetop path is genuinely distinctive and the steam railway adds character. For visitors primarily interested in history or architecture, there are stronger day-trip options from Vilnius (Trakai, Kaunas). Anykščiai works best as part of a longer northeast Lithuania exploration or combined with the Hill of Crosses.