Hello, dear hivers!

Previous Sunday I walked through the swamps of Varnikai forest reserve. Almost all the path was laid in wooden trails, so you can walk without getting your feet wet. 


![](https://images.ecency.com/DQmekM9RT6kG3VyHAM4sy1gFQfwtQeanjhRgVzdFrxQjgqw/img_3237.png)


I had to mind my every step, because these trails were falling apart and wobeling. Fair enough, the wooden boards are always soaking in the water. Sometimes it was very hard to keep my balance, but the view was totally worth it.



![](https://images.ecency.com/DQmSeixXYEWpAZExBi1ucDG9BerfCR3DU9cq9c1avtWV5qb/img_3214.jpg)



![](https://images.ecency.com/DQmZXCCwEYcDYj6VX5Fsv6yh34EjDfJe6NEKat7SAVgjXVw/img_3226.jpg)



There are some stops with information boards, but I missed most of them, because  I was trying to enjoy the view and avoid stepping into swamp at the same time (or maybe I walked wrong way?)

First stop is the 15m hollow, although its hard to see in the picture how high it is.

![](https://images.ecency.com/DQmWgeLQqunbt5fmUu1yfx4wgGFJ4TBW36J1SEfLLUg1T1J/img_3228.jpg)

![](https://images.ecency.com/DQmWYgGEjpxtN63GbyyoQkaq6zZSVJ5MPFBm6oCccr9XGhq/img_3229.jpg)

Sometimes to pass I had to clime over the trees. They are left on the ground as it is, to preserve natural habitat for animals and plants.


![](https://images.ecency.com/DQmaaEt3f7ag4GrfiKLv3W6GYNfxQJ5exFh9zQzyjzfrP9e/img_3210.jpg)


At this time of the year, there is no berries yet. It is still too cold for flowers to bloom as well . I was lucky to find one of the kind:


![](https://images.ecency.com/DQmS8fuoDcASTwfVvgZafy3zrgnjQYwYuotfUZAu7aXZXcK/img_3231.jpg)

And I found stop 6… Yes, I missed at least 4 😃😅


![](https://images.ecency.com/DQmYA1JD1GScoeJTrHxfX8mhXu7L1JvNod9jKKN6poyWyYm/img_3215.jpg)


At the seventh stop I sat down for a while. It was very quiet and piecefull over there. This area is most spacious in the forest or at least were I walked. It did not felt like I am in forest at all. 


![](https://images.ecency.com/DQmVzoAwUpEuD3kq33GVbrRJQrMZySe28VFTRFX1dJhCxLv/img_3216.jpg)


![](https://images.ecency.com/DQmZSA9itF4XrhVUavv2qNhFWVmo4ct5wkAp8SxUuwB3Fsy/img_3219.jpg)

That is the view before approaching the lake:

![](https://images.ecency.com/DQmY59bVRdjsx9LSw6Rpo5uqyXdSL1d2agNdDpZDgbEUQha/img_3217.jpg)

After a short break, I kept going and found a board about the this forest preserve in general (it did not say which stop it is).


![](https://images.ecency.com/DQmTHczXyrCd2ufs7Gg36LWPdJXdazX8QBDwjqdCuCjYfac/img_3225.jpg)


It took around an hour to walk through the swamps (you walk in a circle and end up where you started). I think, best time to come here would be in summer, when all plants and berries grows and some animals shows up, because to my surprise I did not see even a single animal. So if you visit, do pay attention to the information boards and mind your step! 😂

I should mention that Varnikai is still part of the small historical town Trakai. Since I already saw a post about this town I would like to share just some of my my shots, while walking around instead of writing about its famous castle.


![](https://images.ecency.com/DQmZs8affMp7k4sVuBXTpvf2XFQSUR6zvL74zUKQq37yrPA/img_3187.jpg)

![](https://images.ecency.com/DQmQbJvxitbCG7JTcXsRV2znfDtbTtCQb6t5cKMdLAPR8oD/img_3197.jpg)

![](https://images.ecency.com/DQmWxZCGj5jFEMYConitgLxyuU7RcHn6isPgDVMd74SnRQt/img_3192.jpg)

This castle is surrounded by the lake and there is a lot of different kind of boats for a rent. 
![](https://images.ecency.com/DQmP5dBDviozmPGuw3ptNb9jLRKFAwq9PjZGYQqkhs4wjFP/img_3189.jpg)

I did not spend much time in town because I been here before and not even once, but its always nice time to time to come back for a walk and some food of course 😅
![](https://images.ecency.com/DQmNNqwBY1LUGt6cRFcSwEGeSXU1cGqJXMj8A79B6pfkveH/img_3196.jpg)

![](https://images.ecency.com/DQmQsF5xvpSBSqtHGvLDzCh3CtJHuziRastm9kAPMBer2E5/img_3198.jpg)

Town is really small, but offers some activities as well. As I mentioned, you can take a boat ride, to try one of the many restaurants, which serve amazing traditional food, visit museum or other historical places and just a take a simple walk and enjoy the nature.

Thank you for reading!