[2019] More Lakes: Didysis Molėtų ežeryno žiedas / Molėtai Lake Region Great Loop Trail

DESCRIPTION: This trail takes you deep into (and around) Molėtai Lake Region, a primeval forest and lakes wonderland, with, as usual, a good number of lovely villages (some of them complete with their towering stork nests), numerous picturesque lakes, lake beaches, islands, sheltered inlets and a few splash-enticing wooden jetties along the way. The trail partly follows the established Blue Trail (from Aidiečiai to Šnieriškės and again from Kraujeliai back to your starting point). Be sure not to miss Ščiurio ragas, a beautiful 3km-long peninsula separating Lake Juodieji Lakajai from Lake Baltieji Lakajai, as well as the 36m-tall observation tower in Mindūnai. At the time of research (March-October 2019), process was under way to incorporate the area, formerly protected as Labanoras Regional Park, into neighboring Aukštaitija National Park.

START/FINISH: about 1 km off the A14 highway, at the intersection of local road 2817 to Kulionys and the main street in Aidiečiai village, approximately 80 km north of Vilnius

DISTANCE: 128 km

MAP: Molėtų ežerynas (Briedis)
http://www.aparkai.lt/data/ckfinder/files/Labanoro_RP.pdf

RESUPPLYING: in Labanoras and in Mindūnai

RESTAURANTS: Labanoras is blessed with the amazing Hotel Labanoras – make sure to try their restaurant (even if only for tea and snacks), which is a member of the European Network of Regional Culinary Heritage; there’s also Vilkasalė in Mindūnai

CAMPSITES / REST AREAS: at Molėtai Observatory / Museum of Ethnocosmology ▪ Lake Ešerinis ▪ Labanoras (there’s a campsite on the shore of Lake Labanoras, about 1km east of the town centre, just off road 114) ▪ Lake Baltas ▪ Lake Terpežys ▪ Lake Salaičiai ▪ Lake Didysis Siaurys ▪ Lake Lydekis ▪ Lake Stirniai (at Pagraužė) ▪ Lake Tramys ▪ Lake Baltieji Lakajai (east) ▪ Lake Juodieji Lakajai, south of Lakaja village, a few hundred meters off the trail ▪ Lake Kertuojai ▪ lots of great spots at Ščiurio ragas ▪ two campsites at Lake Baltieji Lakajai (west), one north of Rudesa village and another one yet further north near Kamužė, both a few hundred meters off the trail ▪ Mindūnai camping