HikingLithuania is a predominantly flat country, a quarter of which is covered by forests. There are five national parks and numerous other conservation areas. Hiking trails can be found all over the country. One of the highlights is the
Curonian Spit National Park (another UNESCO World Heritage Site), on the peninsula separating the Curonian Lagoon from the Baltic Sea, where visitors can explore a range of large sand dunes and several pine forests. Rare flora and fauna are to be found here.
Trakai National Park contains many lakes while
Aukstaitija and
Zemaitija National
Parks feature hills, lakes and uplands.
WatersportsA range of watersports is practiced on Lithuania’s many lakes and rivers, and equipment can be hired locally. Fishing is very popular. Licenses, which are compulsory, are issued by the Department of Water Resources, Juozapaviciaus 9, Vilnius (tel: (5) 272 3786). Nida makes a true paradise for sailing, windsurfing and also paragliding and kiting.
OtherWintersports include ice-fishing, cross-country skiing and skating. Lithuania has extensive sporting facilities including the 15,000-seat
Zalgiris stadium in Vilnius and facilities for swimming, football, handball, basketball (the most popular sport), tennis and hockey. Cycling is also popular. There are also opportunities for more extreme sports such as hot-air ballooning, gliding, or, for the ultimate experience, leap off the tallest bungee jump of its kind in Europe.
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