Pavilniai Regional Park

Pavilniai protects the valley of the Vilnia river where it cuts through sandy deposits on the eastern side of the city, producing steep eroded slopes, gullies and exposed sand faces that are unusual close to a capital; Pūčkoriai is the largest, a cliff about sixty-five metres high above a bend in the river, with a viewing platform on the rim. Paths follow the valley through pine and mixed woodland past the remains of old mills and a former ironworks at Belmontas, now restaurants, and the Sereikiškės end links to the old town. It is used by the city for running and walking. Winter brings sledging on the slopes. The park is entirely within the urban area and reachable on foot from Užupis.

What you actually see

• Pūčkoriai cliff - a sixty-five metre eroded sand face above the river.
• The valley paths - trails through pine woodland along the Vilnia.
• Old mills - the remains of watermills and ironworks at Belmontas.
• City edge nature - erosion landforms within the urban boundary.

When to go

April to October for the paths; autumn colour in the valley is good. Winter turns the slopes to sledging runs. The park is open at all times and is busiest at weekends.

Honest expectations

The cliffs are sand and unstable, and the edge above Pūčkoriai is genuinely dangerous. Paths are muddy after rain. The park is urban, with roads and buildings visible from much of it. Belmontas is a commercial complex rather than a wild spot.

Nearby

Užupis and the old town lie west; Vilnius airport is south.