Kurtuvėnai Regional Park was established seeking to preserve the landscape of the lake-covered and forested Kurtuvėnai hilly region. The park lies on the edge of the East Žemaitija upland, at the watershed of the rivers Venta and Dubysa. From north to south stretch three wooded ridges, separated by valleys and lakes. The expressiveness of the land surface is enhanced by thermokarst sinkholes (“devil’s holes”), ridges called Milžinų keliai (Giants’ Roads), continental dunes, steep-sloped hills, ravines and canyon-type valleys. The park ranks third in Lithuania in terms of the area covered with forests, and has 17 reserves aimed at preserving the most valuable natural heritage.

Nature

Major sites include the forests of Šaukėnai and Kurtuvėnai, the lake area at Pageluvis (10 lakes), the scenic Dubysa valley, and the Ilga wetlands. The western part of the park boasts the Svilė springs that are the largest in Lithuania: more than a hundred “eyes” of different sizes “boil” in an area of 1.8 ha. Other interesting natural objects are the eskers of Targiai and Barsukynas, the Dirvonai valley, the Juodlė continental dunes, the thermokarst sinkholes at Pustlaukis, and different trees of impressive sizes and appearance, including the Zuikiškė oak, the pines of Albinas, Pociškė and Gailiškė, the Bubiai poplars, the old forest at Paraudžiai, the Dirvonai horse-chestnut, and the Kurtuvėnai lime. Also noteworthy are the boulders at Arvydiškiai and Linartai, the colonies of the grey heron and the badger, and the nests of birds of prey. The western edge of the park is the habitat of wolves. The reservoirs surrounding the town of Kurtuvėnai attract flocks of migratory birds.

Cultural heritage

The main sites are the Dubysa – Venta canal hydrosystem, the watermills of Dengtiltis and Mirskiškė, the former manors of Kurtuvėnai, Bubiai, Gelučiai and Žadvainiai, the Baroque church of St. Jacob the Apostle in Kurtuvėnai, V. Putvinskis memorial house in Šilo Pavėžupys, and the mounds of Vainagiai, Galvydiškė, Gaidžiapilis, Kurtuvėnai and Badauskiai.

The landscape is dominated by isolated farms and villages scattered along the forest edges and lakeshores. In the 14th century, in Kurtuvėnai there was a nobleman’s estate, which in the 15th century became a wealthy manor. The most valuable building of the manor is a 200-year-old two-story wooden granary. The year 1495 saw the construction of the first church and the establishment of a Catholic parish in Kurtuvėnai.

Recreation

Full information about recreation services is provided by the administration. The Jautmalkė Environmental Centre houses the Kurtuva Green School.

The park has seven recreation areas: Bubiai, Gėluva, Bijotė, Padubysis, Pašvinis, Šona and Vėžežeris. The beaches of lakes Gėluva and Bijotė are the most popular. Accommodation is available at a guesthouse and a camping site located in the park of the former Kurtuvėnai manor. Holidaymakers are also welcome at rural tourism farmsteads. Camping site have areas for tents. Larger groups can stay overnight at holiday centres or in the town of Šiauliai. The tavern Kryžkelė located in a 19th-century brick building offers traditional food.

Tourists can get the best views of the Šiauliai plains, the Kurtuvėnai hills and Šatrija Hill from Girnikai Hill, which is the highest in the Šiauliai district.

The most beautiful recommended sites can be explored while travelling by the bicycle-car route marked on the map. A bicycle lane (17 km) runs from Šiauliai to Kurtuvėnai. Bicycles can be rented in Kurtuvėnai and Bubiai.

Walkers will find an educational trail (4.5 km) around Lake Juodlė. A trip here allows exploring the limy swamps, continental dunes, aquatic birds and forest habitats of Ilga Landscape Reserve.

The forests are popular with enthusiast of orienteering, skiing, cycling and running. Those desiring a more thorough acquaintance with the features of this region have a choice of several guided tours: Kurtuvėnų regioninio parko įdomybės (Curiosities of Kurtuvėnai Regional Park), Gamtos vertybės (Values of Nature), Juodlės pažintinis takas (Juodlė Educational Path), Kurtuvėnų dvaro istorija (The History of Kurtuvėnai Manor), and Pažintis su jojimo paslaugų centru (Acquaintance with the Riding Centre).

The Kurtuvėnai Riding Centre is open all year round. The staff will introduce the horses, their maintenance and breeds. From the stables visitors can get a ride on horseback or in a coach with an instructor through the surroundings. The riding school works in all seasons. Several-day recreation programmes with horses, riding camps and trips on horseback are organised. These services have to be booked in advance. The centre also keeps and trains individually owned horses. The traditional events organised here are the Lithuanian endurance competition held in autumn, and the Kurtuvėn Cup show jumping competition.

 The lakes are suitable for fishing (permits can be obtained form the administration). Fishing of carps in commercial ponds is also available (permits are sold by UAB Šventjonis).