Trips to Molėtai with Children – traveler and adventure-loving mother Inga, together with her young traveler son and family, set off to explore the Molėtai region and tell our readers about it.
Trips to Molėtai with Children. Do you remember your first starry nights and watching the sky, swimming in lakes, and walking through parks? It feels like a dream, yet in reality, you can unexpectedly find all of this in the Molėtai region.
Trips to Molėtai with Children
Jurkiškis trail
Jurkiškis trail is very popular, with many visitors coming and going, and an additional parking area has even been installed. When driving toward the nature trail, you will see a sign indicating a parking lot on the right. However, information online states that it is about two kilometers away from the trail, so it is intended for more experienced travelers.
If you drive further, you will find another parking area where you can park comfortably. It is not convenient with a stroller, as you will need to carry it or use a baby carrier. There are many steep stairs. During summer, do not forget mosquito protection, as there are extremely many of them.
At the beginning of the trail, there is a map where you can see what route awaits you. Currently, one section of the trail is under renovation, so the route becomes shorter. You will find several tables and benches for resting, but there are no trash bins. Therefore, you will need to carry your waste with you responsibly.
As Inga shares, “After mosquitoes bit us, we decided to head toward the town of Dubingiai, where our goal was to visit the Asveja Regional Park visitor center, the Dubingiai castle site, and the church.”
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Dubingiai town and visitor center
First, stop by the visitor center. If you expect a short visit just to pick up a leaflet, you will be surprised. The center is designed very innovatively.
On the first floor, you will find an interactive map where you can choose an object of interest. It will show where to find it and provide a brief description. On the second floor, there are educational games that you can play with children if you have more time. A very friendly staff member will greet you and tell you a bit about the Dubingiai region. You can also take brochures with information not only about visiting sites but even where to rent a boat.
If you get hungry and run out of food supplies, there is a local shop in the town center. Near the church, there is also a beautifully decorated food trailer where you can buy excellent coffee. If you need hot water for a child’s food, they will also take care of that.
Next to the visitor center, you will also see the church, which surprises visitors just like everything else in Dubingiai. The church is very atypical, recently renovated, and has a very modern design.
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Dubingiai castle site
The Dubingiai castle site is located near the visitor center and the church. You will need to walk along the roadside, as there are no sidewalks. That is how small towns are. If there are many visitors, finding a parking spot can be difficult. The castle site itself may not be very interesting for children, but the nature is impressive, and it is pleasant to walk along the paths. If you need to use the toilet, you will have to use the one installed near the forest.
↩︎ Back to listSlopes and trails
After exploring the town of Dubingiai, we head toward the Liudgarda slope and the Gurakalnė nature trail.
Finding these two places is very easy, as there are signs everywhere, and they are located next to each other, just on opposite sides. You can park your car in one spot and walk to both locations, or park near the Liudgarda slope and then drive to the Gurakalnė nature trail.
You will not be able to access the area well with a stroller or other wheeled transport, as the terrain is hilly. In some places, there are stairs and paths that are difficult to pass.
If you visit during summer, you will find blueberries and wild strawberries. Children will be able to enjoy them by the handful.
The trail itself is not long, but it is located in a wonderful place, in a marsh surrounded by abundant vegetation. Of course, there are countless insects, so be sure to have protection during the warm season.
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Educational space in Molėtai
The virtual educational space is located in the very center of the town and is easy to reach. There is free parking nearby where you can conveniently park your car. The space itself is modern. After paying the entrance fee, you can use VR glasses to see the history of Molėtai and how it developed up to the present day. This activity is not very relevant for the youngest children, but children aged eight and older will certainly be interested. You can also try two additional interactive games.
Next to the educational space, there is a library where you can find a toilet. Nearby, there is also a bakery and a pizzeria where you can get hot drinks and snacks. The place will impress you, as it presents history in a modern way, which is especially relevant for growing children.
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Sculpture park
About 500 meters away, there is another attraction – the sculpture park. Getting there is very convenient, and you can reach it everywhere with a stroller. The park itself is located on the lakeshore. Nearby, there is a beach and a children’s playground. “We liked the observation platform the most, as it is accessible with a stroller, and we could enjoy a beautiful view. The sculpture park itself did not impress us much, but we really liked the surroundings, and children will find things to do,” says Inga.
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Liesėnai hillfort
After having a meal and exploring the town of Molėtai, head to Liesėnai hillfort, which is located nearby, about 9 km from the town.
Access is convenient, but during warmer weather and with more visitors, you may need to look for a parking spot. You can reach the hillfort only by stairs, so the stroller will need to be left in the car.
After climbing to the top, you will see a panoramic view of the fields. Near the site, there is a table for a picnic or rest, but only the first arrivals will get a seat. Others will have to enjoy the soft grass.
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Mindūnai observation tower
After winding along narrow forest paths, you will reach the second-highest observation tower, Mindūnai. Visiting the tower will leave a strong impression. From the top, you will see a wonderful panorama, with pine trees swaying on one side and Lake Baltieji Lakajai with its islands and peninsulas on the other. Near the tower, there is a complex of tables and benches, a campsite, trash bins, and an outdoor toilet.
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Lake fishing museum
The Lake Fishing Museum and the A. Truskauskas Nature and Hunting Museum are located in the same area. Next to the museums, there is a large parking lot. Around the area, you can also find a basketball court, a football field, and a small playground for children with older equipment. There is even a notice stating that visitors are responsible for their children’s safety.
At the Lake Fishing Museum, you will see various animal taxidermy exhibits. The exhibition is spread over two floors, and you can conveniently reach the upper floor by elevator. After that, visit other buildings where you will see fishing tools, boats, and many different fish specimens. After the visit, you can enjoy herbal tea and purchase naturally made cosmetics or tea. You can also order freshly cooked fish soup in advance, but you need to arrange this beforehand, and it works best for group visits.
The museum area is spacious, with a park where you can have a picnic or simply spend time while younger children sleep. There are also places to sit.
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Molėtai observatory, ethnography and ethnocosmology museum
The ethnographic homestead and the celestial observation site are currently closed, so check information in advance. If you plan to visit the Molėtai observatory and take part in a tour, contact them beforehand and reserve your spots. A night tour leaves a much stronger impression than a daytime one. During it, you visit the territory, hear how scientists work, what they observe, how they calculated time by the moon and stars, and climb one of the towers with the largest telescope.. You will hear a story about the telescope and how it works. The tour lasts about 50 minutes. Time will not feel long, although the youngest children may start to lose patience.
After the observatory tour, head to the Molėtai Ethnocosmology Museum, where registration is also required. You can register online, but if you forget, you can do it on-site.
This museum will appeal to everyone, both younger and older visitors. During the tour, you will learn about the connection between space and humans. You will climb six floors and eventually reach an observation deck. To move between floors, you can manage a few steps with a stroller, and you can reach the observation deck by elevator.
The entire museum is designed very innovatively and modernly. From the observation deck, you will enjoy panoramic views from all sides.
If you travel with the youngest children and need to change a baby, as happened to Inga, a staff member will let you into a separate room where you can take care of your child calmly.
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Labanoras forest nature trail
The trail is not long, and walking it will not take much time. The trail leads to Lake Labanoras, where there is a wooden pier to sit and rest. Although the trail runs through forests and has wooden boards, you can pass it with a stroller, but it is not very convenient. Direction signs and information boards appear along the entire trail.
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Antanas Truskauskas hunting trophy museum
The Molėtai municipality established the museum in Molėtai, in the former Mindūnai primary school building.
The animals in this museum are impressive and look as if they were alive. One of the best specialists in Lithuania, Kęstutis Bybartas, prepared the exhibits and has won first places at taxidermy exhibitions multiple times. In this museum, you can see perfectly crafted taxidermy of a bear, lion, hippopotamus, rhinoceros, bison, and other exotic animals. There are about 400 exhibits, awards, art pieces, and souvenirs from all over the world.
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