Čepkeliai Wilderness

One of the European Wilderness Network partner from Lithuania is Čepkeliai Wilderness.

Čepkeliai Wilderness, the largest protected wilderness in Lithuania, is located in the southeast near the Belarusian border. This vast area composed of wild forest, upland bogs, flooded club-grass and I reed beds, ice-age lakes and forest sand dunes, remains one of the last untouched wild landscapes in the Baltic region. It is home to rare birds like the lesser spotted eagle and capercaillie, as well as large mammals such as moose and wolves. As part of the Dzūkija Biosphere Reserve, it plays a vital role in preserving European wetlands and boreal wilderness.

Lithuanians and Čepkeliai Wilderness

Lithuanians never considered bogs, mires, and swamps as grim or fearsome places. They used them as refuges from enemies, for berry picking, hunting, and even grazing cattle. In later times, large swampy areas were drained and transformed into cultivated meadows and vast fields.

Bogs, mires and swamps

Covering 13,004 hectares, Čepkeliai Wilderness is situated within the Dzūkija National Park and Čepkeliai Strict Nature Reserve. This large, contiguous wilderness area consists of two key regions: Čepkeliai and Musteika Strict Nature Reserves. Positioned in the southeastern corner of Lithuania, it forms a significant ecological complex, with some of the most valuable ecosystems in the region, including wetlands and surrounding forests, right at the border with Belarus.

The Journey to Čepkeliai Wilderness

For the first time in my life, I have come to visit Čepkeliai Wilderness. I had read and heard a lot about this unique place, and several experts recommended it as a must-visit destination for anyone wanting to experience the true wilderness of European wetlands and the boreal landscape.

My journey took me through Vilnius, the capital of Lithuania, and then southwest towards Varėna, a gateway to the Dzūkija region. From there, I travelled to Marcinkonys, one of the last villages before reaching the Čepkeliai Nature Reserve. 

Čepkeliai Wilderness is part of the Dzūkija National Park, a protected area known for its diverse landscapes and rich biodiversity. The last place in the national park where I parked my car was the village of Marcinkonys, making it one of the final convenient stops before I reached the boundary of the vast wilderness reserve.

Entering the Wilderness

The presence of moose, wolves, and rare birds like the capercaillie and lesser spotted eagle could be felt through the surrounding wild landscape, emphasizing the untamed essence of this extraordinary place. It offered a genuine connection to Europe’s untouched natural heart. As we climbed to a small observation tower, a panoramic view unfolded before us—vast peat bogs stretching out in all directions, occasionally dotted with sparse pine forests, particularly on small rounded rises in the terrain. 

Wetland kingdom

Wetland is kingdom of Čepkeliai Wilderness is a place where nature thrives in its most pristine form. The interpretive trail, which runs along the border of the wilderness, offers visitors a chance to discover the remarkable biodiversity of this region. 

Our local guide pointed out the unique characteristics of the area, highlighting the diversity of wetland vegetation that flourishes in this untouched habitat. Among the rare plant species, we encountered sphagnum moss (Sphagnum), the distinctive horsetail (Equisetum) growing in the damp soils, and the delicate bog rosemary (Andromeda polifolia), which thrives in the acidic conditions of the peat bogs.

As we walked along the trail, our guide also drew our attention to the lush patches of cotton grass (Eriophorum), which sway gently in the breeze, and the striking sundew (Drosera), a carnivorous plant that thrives in these nutrient-poor soils. These plants are not only vital to the local ecosystem but are also part of a larger natural tapestry that defines this wilderness. 

Conclusion

Čepkeliai Wilderness is a testament to Europe’s untamed beauty and Lithuania’s history, offering a rare glimpse into pristine wetlands and ancient forests. As one of the largest and most impressive mires in Lithuania, it reflects how much of Northern Europe and the Baltic region looked thousands of years ago. Its unique biodiversity, from rare plants to wild animals, highlights the importance of preserving such ecosystems, making this wetland kingdom a vital sanctuary for nature and those fortunate enough to explore it.

European Wilderness Network

The main aim of the European Wilderness Network is a unified approach to Wilderness Stewardship and the representation of Wilderness and its challenges internationally and within the European Union. All Wilderness, WILDCoasts, WILDForests, WILDIslands, and WILDRivers, in the European Wilderness Network are unique and represent the best and wildest places in Europe.