Did you know that tiny houses hide in a forest near Kaunas? According to ancient Baltic mythology, these little houses are home to mysterious creatures called barstukai. “Barstukų takais” is a fun day trip idea in Dovainonys Forest. Here, an ordinary nature walk turns into a search for tiny houses and an introduction to Lithuanian mythology.
This mysterious forest trail near Kaunas is located in Dovainonys, Kaišiadorys District, and tiny barstukai houses from Lithuanian mythology hide here. We tried this trail with our children, and we really enjoyed it. However, this is not a typical educational trail. You do not simply walk from one information board to another. Instead, children have a mission – they must find the hidden barstukai houses in the forest. Moreover, each house reveals a different story.
“Barstukų takais” (Following barstukai trails) – what is it?
Barstukai are tiny, finger-sized creatures from ancient Baltic mythology. According to legend, they spread happiness, joy, and the gifts of the forest. The creators of the project turned them into friendly guardians of the forest.
Five barstukai live in Dovainonys Forest – Girulis, Vėdrynė, Spanguolis, Mariabarzdis and Naktižiedė. Each one has its own name and personality. More importantly, each barstukas has a tiny house hidden somewhere along the trail.
In our opinion, finding the houses is the most exciting part for children. As you walk through the forest, you keep looking around. Perhaps the next barstukas house is behind a tree, beside the trail, or hidden among the greenery. As a result, even a simple forest walk becomes a little adventure.
Tiny houses and five different barstukai
Each of the five barstukai is different. Girulis has a long, bushy beard. Vėdrynė is a weaver, while Spanguolis protects the forest from fires. Mariabarzdis is the wise one, and the mysterious Naktižiedė knows several magical spells.
QR codes are placed next to the houses. Therefore, the adventure is about more than simply finding them. After scanning a code, you can learn more about each barstukas, see what it looks like, and listen to its story. This way, children can discover Lithuanian mythology while having fun.
We particularly liked this idea. You do not have to tell children, “Let’s go for a walk in the forest.” Instead, you tell them that you are going to look for barstukai. Along the way, they stay active, spend time outdoors, observe their surroundings, and learn something new.
Why visit this forest trail with kids?
We especially recommend “Barstukai trails” to families who enjoy short trips into nature. At the same time, it is ideal for parents who want to offer children more than an ordinary walk.
The search for tiny houses gives children a goal and keeps them curious. Meanwhile, the stories about the barstukai provide a natural way to introduce them to ancient Baltic mythology.
In addition, the project encourages children to discover and protect nature.
It is also one of those simple family outings that does not require a complicated schedule. All you need is a forest, your family, and a little adventure. This time, five tiny forest creatures become the main characters.
Nearby: Mergakalnis and Kaunas Reservoir
If you are already visiting Dovainonys Forest, it is definitely worth combining the trip with a visit to Mergakalnis (the highest escarpment near Kaunas Reservoir). It is located very close to “Barstukų takais”. Therefore, during one family outing, you can search for the tiny houses and visit one of the most beautiful viewpoints in the area.
From Mergakalnis, you can enjoy views of the Kaunas Reservoir (Kauno marių) landscape. For this reason, it is worth stopping here after walking along the “Barstukų takais” trail. As a result, a short forest adventure for children can easily become a longer family day trip in nature.
Our practical tips
If you visit “Barstukų takais” during the warmer months, make sure you bring mosquito repellent. The trail runs through a forest, so there can be quite a few mosquitoes in summer. Therefore, we recommend applying repellent before starting your walk. This is especially important when travelling with younger children.
It is also worth saving the official Barstukai forest map on your phone before you go. It will help you navigate the forest and find all five houses if you happen to miss one. We missed one of the houses ourselves. Fortunately, the map helped us find it.
Also, bring some snacks. At the Mergakalnis viewpoint, you can sit down and enjoy them. There is even a designated fire pit where you can cook something.
There is a public toilet.
It is not difficult to find a place to park your car.
The forest trail near Kaunas and its tiny Lithuanian mythology houses impressed us with their simplicity. Five tiny houses, a few stories, and one question are enough to create an adventure: where is the next barstukas hiding?
You can always find more ideas for interesting places and things to do in Kaišiadorys District on the Kaišiadorys Tourism and Business Information Centre website.
