Discover Genionys

Genionys combines cultural sites with nature destinations in the surrounding area. If you choose a destination for its historic sites and landscapes, the area offers a range of points of interest: the Stone of Genionys and the Old Cemetery, as well as nature trails, pine forest and lakeshores. There are also specific seasonal visiting rules for the Čepkeliai Educational Trail.

Cultural history in Genionys

The Stone of Genionys, also known as Kiškio bažnyčia, is a mythological site next to the village of Genionys in Varėna District Municipality. The grey-brown granite boulder rises 1.15 m above the ground and is 2.6 m long and 1.8 m wide. According to V. Vaitkevičius, it may have been associated with the worship of the ancient Baltic goddess Medeina. This interpretation remains a possibility and is not an established historical fact.

The Old Cemetery of Genionys lies on a small hillock 2 to 3 m high, whose northern and eastern slopes are covered with pine trees. The cemetery dates to the 18th–19th centuries and is considered a presumed medieval and early modern burial monument. Thus, a specific dating and a broader, expressly tentative archaeological classification sit side by side. The hillock and its wooded slopes add the landscape surrounding the cemetery to the historical perspective.

Nature trails, lake and shore

The 3.6 km Girinio Educational Trail runs through the pine forests on the southern edge of Marcinkonys and around the pond of an old mill. Along the trail, visitors can observe plants and mushrooms of the Dzūkija pine forests, as well as birds and aquatic animals at Duobupis Pond. Wildlife sightings vary by season. The trail also has recreational facilities, gazebos and a beach.

Another destination is the beach at Lake Žiežulis, accessible via a 1.6 km nature trail. Comparing the stated trail lengths, this route is shorter than the 3.6 km Girinio Trail; the trails also lead to different types of landscapes. The beach has a bridge, a wooden sunbathing platform, changing cabins, benches and gazebos. As trail conditions and facilities may change, check the latest information before your visit.

Lake Genionys, also known as Urmis, has an area of 2.99 ha and a shoreline of 0.67 km. Its shores are low, marshy and covered with shrubs; an approximately 11 ha wetland stretches along them. This makes its shores clearly different from the pine forest and pond landscapes along the Girinio Educational Trail.

Visiting rules and fishing

Seasonal visiting rules apply to the Čepkelių Educational Trail in the Genionys area. From 1 August to 1 March, individuals and visitor groups may visit the trail independently for educational purposes, but only during daylight hours and within the trail boundaries. From 1 March to 1 August, visits are permitted only when accompanied by a specialist from the Directorate of Dzūkija National Park and the Čepkeliai State Nature Reserve. Plan your visit according to the visiting arrangements in effect for your chosen dates, and check the information before you travel.

Fishing at Lake Genionys also has a specific requirement: it is permitted only with a valid L05.01 recreational fishing permit or the right to fish for free. As fishing regulations may change, check the current rules before your visit. This lets you take both the trail’s seasonal rules and the separate fishing requirement into account when planning your trip.

Discover more destinations: Viršurodukis, Pamusiai, Marcinkonių seniūnija, Roduka, Merkinė, Vilkiautinis, Kibyšiai.

Go to the main travel overview: Varėna District Municipality.