Date: 2025-09-20
tart : Kietaviškės Culture House (Bažnyčios St. 14, Naujėjos Kietaviškės village)
Distance : ~12 km
Start : 12:00 noon.
A journey where steps lead not only through the picturesque surroundings of Kietaviškės, but also through living history, and it's more than just a hike! It's an opportunity to get to know, feel, taste, and draw inspiration from local people and places.
ROUTE:
- Starting from the Kietaviškės Culture House. From here we will travel towards Ežero Street and the Peliūnai Cemetery, the place where the prominent bookseller Motiejus Grybauskas rests. Born in 1857 in the village of Gilūšys, he dedicated his entire life to the preservation of the Lithuanian word. At his grave you will have the opportunity to pay your respects to this luminary.
- We will continue walking along the road towards the bookseller's homestead, where his great-granddaughter lives today. Although the homestead has not survived, there are still fragments of the cellar, which was a secret hiding place for books. At the homestead we will be met by the Kietaviškės village chapel "Volungė", which is preparing to celebrate its third anniversary. Old, heartfelt local songs will sound.
- The road will then wind through the village of Gilūšis, and in Šuoliai, hikers will be met by local farmers who will share their ideas, insights, and delicacies.
- From Šuoliai we will walk towards the Kareivoniai swimming pool, where another unexpected surprise will await you.
- Just nearby is UAB "Bauwerk Group Lietuva" - the largest parquet manufacturer in Europe. In the neighborhood - UAB "Kietaviškių gausa", where you will have the opportunity to taste locally grown produce and pamper your taste buds.
- Upon approaching Kietaviškės Progymnasium, you will be greeted by the school community, and soon another important stop will be made, the century-old Kietaviškės Holy Trinity Church. We invite those who are willing and able to contribute a donation to the church's renovation work (the floor is currently being replaced). This is not mandatory, but every support is important.
- The last section of the hike will lead to the Kietaviškės eldership administrative building, where everyone will be able to leave their wishes on the symbolic Wishing Tree, not only for the eldership, which is celebrating its 25th anniversary, but also for all the people of this region.
- And here we are at the finish line! Just a few hundred meters and we are back at the Kietaviškės Culture House.
And there: The most delicious fish stew made from fish grown on a local farm (UAB "Bartžuvė") and
Autumn celebration with a concert featuring Giedrius Leškevičius and his band!
What to bring with you?
– Comfortable footwear;
– A drinking bottle with water;
– A small donation (for those wishing to contribute to the renovation of the church);
– The mood to hike, explore, taste and socialize!
The invitation is for everyone – both those taking small and big steps!
Invite friends, family, neighbors, and meet on a journey that connects the past, present, and community spirit.
SEE YOU ON THE HIKE!
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