Švenčionys District Municipality
Aukštaitija National Park
Largest lake in Aukštaitija National Park with an observation tower nearby
Lake Kretuonas, Švenčionėliai Eldership, Švenčionys District; tower at Lygumai village
55.25500, 26.08000
1-2 hours for the lake, birdwatching, and Lygumai tower
spring and summer for birdlife; autumn for panoramas
Kretuonas, Kretuonis
Lake Kretuonas: the park's largest lake
Lake Kretuonas, also called Kretuonas, lies in Švenčionys District, in Aukštaitija National Park, about 7 km north-east of Švenčionėliai. According to VLE, its area is 861 ha, making it the largest lake in the park; it stretches about 5 km north to south and reaches a maximum depth of 10.9 m. The lake has six islands with a total area of 25.5 ha.
The shores are low, in places marshy, with broad reedbeds and shallow littoral zones. Its waters belong to the Žeimena basin: water flows through Kretuonas into Žeimenis, so the lake is an important part of that river system.
Bird paradise and Stone Age settlements
Kretuonas is famous as a bird reserve: an ornithological reserve was established here in 1974. The forested islands host Lithuania's largest colonies of black-headed gulls, Caspian gulls, and common terns, and rare tern protection work is carried out here. This makes the lake especially interesting in spring and summer for birdwatchers.
The shores also preserve deep human history. Stone Age settlements around Kretuonas, including Pakretuonė and Kretuonas, have been investigated and dated from the Neolithic, while the oldest fishing tools reach back to the Mesolithic. Pottery, flint, and bone objects were found, and the finds are held by the National Museum of Lithuania. The ethnographically valuable village of Kretuoniai also survives nearby.
Lygumai observation tower
Near the lake, on Lygumai Hill, stands a metal observation tower about 15 m high, built in 2013 on the site of a former wooden triangulation tower. The Lygumai plateau rises about 180 m above sea level, so the tower opens a wide view: Vajuonis to the north, Kretuonas to the south-west, and Kretuonykštis to the south-east.
The place also has a modern-history episode. In February 1988, before the restoration of independence, the Lithuanian tricolour was raised near the old triangulation tower. At the foot of the hill, an avenue of old trees marks the former manor site.
How to visit Lake Kretuonas and the tower
Lygumai observation tower is freely accessible and free of charge; cars can be left about 300 m below it, with the rest reached on foot. The place is suitable for families and birdwatchers.
For the lake shore, birdwatching, and tower, plan one to two hours. Kretuonas combines well with other Aukštaitija National Park sites: the Palūšė visitor centre, Ladakalnis, and Lake Tauragnas. Check the park's current rules for visiting the reserve area.
