The best hiking routes in Alytus County

Alytus County in southern Lithuania is defined by its glacial heritage, where the terrain transitions from flat, sandy pine forests to steep moraine hills. The region lacks dramatic mountain peaks, offering instead a gently rolling landscape shaped by retreating ice sheets. Underfoot, walkers will encounter a distinct contrast between the dry, sandy tracks of the forested east and the clay-rich, damp soils surrounding the western lakes.

For deep forest walking, Dzũkijos nacionalinis parkas and the nearby Rũdninkų girios biosferos poligonas present vast, continuous pine woods growing on inland dunes. Here, the paths are predominantly soft sand, and the vegetation is dominated by lichens and heather. In contrast, Aukštadvario regioninis parkas and Metelių regioninis parkas feature high ridges, deep kettle holes, and large lakes, where the walking trails climb over grassy moraine hills and follow shoreline paths that can be muddy.

In October, the deciduous trees in Veisiejų regioninis parkas turn bright yellow, contrasting sharply with the dark pine forests further east. While the popular lakeside trails near Meteliai can attract more visitors during the summer, the vast forested expanses of Dzũkija remain quiet throughout the year, offering long routes where the only sound is the wind in the pine canopy.