Čepkeliai Marsh

Čepkeliai is a raised bog of some sixty square kilometres in the far south of Lithuania against the Belarusian border, a peat dome built up over thousands of years with hundreds of small pools and islands of pine, surrounded by the sand and forest of the Dzūkija. It is a strict nature reserve, so most of it is closed and access is restricted to a marked trail and a boardwalk with an observation tower, which is enough to see the structure of the bog and its plants: sundews, cranberry, cotton grass and dwarf pine. Cranes, black grouse and wading birds breed here, and elk and wolves use the surrounding forest. The visitor centre at Marcinkonys explains the ecology and issues any permissions needed.

History

The name comes from a personal name, a form of Szczepan, and at the start of the 20th century it was used only for a small western part of the bog (Wikipedia, Čepkeliai Marsh).

Highlights

• The raised bog - a peat dome with pools and pine islands.
• The boardwalk and tower - the permitted route out onto the edge.
• Bog plants - sundews, cotton grass and cranberry along the walk.
• Cranes and grouse - the birds of the open bog in season.

When to go

May to September; spring brings displaying birds and autumn brings cranberry picking in permitted areas outside the reserve. Mosquitoes are heavy in summer. Winter access is limited.

Practical notes

This is a strict reserve and most of it cannot be entered; the accessible part is a short boardwalk. Straying off the route is prohibited and damaging. Mosquitoes are severe. The visitor centre keeps limited hours.

Nearby

Marcinkonys is the access village; Druskininkai lies southwest.

Key facts