Krekenava Regional Park was set up to preserve the landscape of the middle reaches of the Nevėžis and its valley.

Nature

Major features include the old valley of the Nevėžis with accumulations of old riverbeds, the valleys of the rivers Nevėžis, Upytė, Liaudis, Vešeta and Linkava, and the natural ecosystems of forests and wetlands at Gringaliai, Pašiliai and Ramygala. Visitors are attracted by the Pašiliai Bison Breeding Centre (48 ha), the only of its kind in Lithuania. Part of the herd lives at large. In winter free bisons can be seen in the fields near the villages of Užliaušiai and Levaniškis, and by the Krekenava – Panevėžys road. Daniliškis Park boasts an impressive lime alley.

Cultural heritage

Among the most important cultural features and monuments of the Panevėžys region and the park is the famous old castle site at Upytė with Čičinskas Hill. The site has a historical value also, and is an inseparable part of the landscape associated with many legends. Other major archaeological features include the Burveliai sacred hill, the burial ground at Barinė, and the picturesque Bakainiai mound sitting on the bank of the river Liaudis.

The Rodai Chapel-Mausoleum, designed by an Italian architect, is a famous architectural monument. The Ustronė farmstead is a monument of architecture and history. Here visitors can also find a granary of an original design. The terrace parks of the Daniliškis and Rodai manors, and the Levaniškis manor park are also remarkable. Krekenava was the place of residence and work of the poet and priest Maironis, and the writer J. Tumas-Vaižgantas worked as a pastor in Vadaktėliai.  

The park boasts a great number of interesting churches. In the past, numerous estates were located along the Nevėžis. Unique crosses and sculptures made by the folk artist Vincas Svirskis can be found in the park.

Museums

In the village of Stultiškiai, about 2 km from Upytė there is a windmill more than 100 years old, which houses the Flax Museum. The granary at Ustronė has been turned into the museum of J. Tumas-Vaižgantas and of book smuggling.

Recreation

Information about recommended sites, maps and brochures can be obtained at the administration and the Pašiliai Bison Breeding Centre. The staff is happy to greet visitors, who have to book in advance, and take them to the enclosures where they can learn about the life of the bisons. Visitors are charged a fee.

The recreation areas at the Nevėžis in the forests of Kalnelis and Gringaliai have cosy shelters for short stays. In the village of Čiūrai, on the bank of the Nevėžis holidaymakers are welcome at the rural tourism farmstead of R. Mykolaitis. Camping sites for tents or caravans are to be found near the Pašiliai Bison Breeding Centre.

Those looking for an active vacation can go by three circular bicycle trails. They can choose routes of differing length, ranging from 17 km to 33 km. Walking trails are expected to be built in Pašiliai Forest near the Bison Breeding Centre and on the banks of the Nevėžis at Krekenava. The Nevėžis is well suited for canoeing and boating.

The park is easily accessible by car, as part of the main roads are mostly tarmac and well-maintained

Krekenava, which is famous for the church festival of the Assumption of Virgin Mary, draws thousands of pilgrims from all Lithuania in mid-August.  

Large numbers of fans of fishing flock the Nevėžis both in summer and winter. The Panevėžys forestry office organises commercial hunting in the forests of the Naujamiestis, Krekenava and Ramygala forestry districts, and provides accommodation.