Juodkrante Old-Growth Forest

Over time, sand piles accumulated on some plants, they connected to each other and so-called embryonic dunes were formed. Due to the wind and rain, there were swells and washes, through which the sand rushed to land. In those places, elongated horseshoe-shaped dunes, called parabolic dunes, began to form. Their height was 30-50 meters. Eventually, they were overgrown with grass and trees that protected the dunes from decay. In XVI-XVIII forests began to be massively felled. During 18th century wind blew the western part of the peninsula and brought the sea sand dunes on the eastern edge of the peninsula closer to the lagoon. Sandstorms destroyed forest debris and flooded at least 8 fishing settlements. Only at Rasyte, Nida and Juodkrante small areas of ancient forests remained. Today, the largest surviving parabolic dunes surround the resort of Juodkrante, where visitors can notice the special terrain while walking on the forest trails of Juodkrante.

Free of charge