Virintai Lake: Deep Water, Two Islands, and Wooded Shores

Virintai Lake: a branching Aukštaitija lake with high wooded shores and two islands

Virintai lies 7 kilometres northeast of Molėtai beside the Molėtai-Utena highway. This irregular, branching tunnel-valley lake is 4.5 kilometres long, reaches a maximum depth of 35.7 metres, and has a 12.2-kilometre shoreline. VLE gives an area of 255 hectares, whereas current Fisheries Service documents state 281.2 hectares, so both figures are retained with their source context. High wooded shores dominate the south, two islands lie in the lake, and protected archaeological sites occupy its southwestern landscape.

Virintai Lake from a wooded shore with a distant island and Aukštaitija lake-district landscape

Place: Molėtai District Municipality
Region: Aukštaitija
Type: irregular glacial lake with wooded shores and islands
Address: Virintai Lake, Molėtai District
Coordinates: 55.29740, 25.47495
Visit duration: 1-3 hours at one shore point selected in advance
Best time: May to September is most convenient for the lakeshore landscape and longer time outdoors; after rain or in windy weather, assess shore and water conditions.

Names and variants

Lake Virintai

Virintai is a lake, not one developed visitor point

Virintai lies in Molėtai District about 7 kilometres northeast of Molėtai, beside the Molėtai-Utena highway. The coordinate 55.29740035, 25.47494995 is a representative lake point, not a universal swimming beach, pier, or car-park access.

Shore access depends on the chosen bank and lawful approach. If your goal is swimming, boating, or a longer walk, check the facilities of the specific place rather than relying on the lake name alone.

This tunnel-valley lake is deep and branching

VLE gives an area of 255 hectares, while current Fisheries Service documents assign Virintai 281.2 hectares. Because the official sources use different figures, this page does not collapse them into one supposedly exact number. VLE's other measurements - 4.5 kilometres long, up to 1.2 kilometres wide, and a winding 12.2-kilometre shore - convey the scale more usefully to a visitor.

The maximum depth in the central part is 35.7 metres, the average is 10.6 metres, and the surface lies 134.6 metres above sea level. A calm view from shore does not reveal depth or bottom conditions, so swimming or boating at an unfamiliar point requires particular care.

Wooded shores, islands, and inflows create changing views

Virintai's shores are mostly high, the southern banks are wooded, and the lake has two islands with a combined area of 1.2 hectares. Bays, peninsulas, and woodland edges offer more than one landscape perspective.

Alsūnė, Graužė, and Skardis flow into Virintai, while the Virinta flows out; the lake belongs to the Šventoji basin. It is part of a living water system, so keep quiet near the shore, avoid damaging vegetation, and leave no rubbish.

Nature and archaeology meet on the southwestern shore

VLE places Sližiškiai Hillfort and Padumblė Barrow Cemetery in the southwestern Virintai landscape. The cultural property register identifies Sližiškiai Hillfort with its settlement as monument 24029; the nearby barrow field is officially named the Sližiškiai and Padumbė Barrow Cemetery by the Cultural Heritage Department.

These are separate archaeological territories rather than developed lake viewpoints. Do not cross private plots, disturb barrow mounds or slopes, and verify a lawful approach to each site before combining them in one outing.

Plan the visit around a chosen shore and the weather

Virintai suits a quiet landscape stop, photography, and a chosen walk, but a long shoreline does not mean every point has benches, toilets, bins, or rescue infrastructure. Bring water and do not leave a car on the forest floor.

The lake has no single visiting schedule or general admission ticket, but individual shores, rentals, or recreation services may have owners, charges, and rules. Assess wind and waves, supervise children continuously, and take care on high natural banks after rain.

Virintai Lake: frequently asked questions

Where is Virintai Lake?

Virintai Lake is in Molėtai District Municipality, about 7 kilometres northeast of Molėtai beside the Molėtai-Utena highway. The representative coordinate is 55.29740035, 25.47494995.

How large is Virintai Lake?

VLE gives an area of 255 hectares, while Fisheries Service documents state 281.2 hectares. VLE records a length of 4.5 kilometres, a maximum width of 1.2 kilometres, and a 12.2-kilometre shoreline.

How deep is Virintai Lake?

The maximum depth in the middle reaches 35.7 metres and the average depth is 10.6 metres. Always assess local conditions at the water rather than judging safety from the shore.

Does Virintai Lake have islands?

Yes. The lake has two islands with a combined area of 1.2 hectares. Their visibility depends on the shore you choose and the weather.

Which rivers are connected with Virintai?

Alsūnė, Graužė, and Skardis flow into Virintai, while the Virinta flows out. The lake belongs to the Šventoji basin and forms part of a wider water system.

Are there a hillfort and barrow cemetery beside Virintai?

Yes. Sližiškiai Hillfort and Padumblė Barrow Cemetery are on the lake's southwestern shore. They are separate cultural-heritage sites requiring their own safe approach.

Does the supplied coordinate mark a public swimming beach?

No. It is a representative lake coordinate, not guaranteed beach, pier, or car-park access. Shore approaches and services depend on the specific point you choose.

Does Virintai have opening hours, and is there an admission fee?

The natural lake has no single set of opening hours or general admission fee. A particular private or developed shore, boat hire, or other service may keep its own schedule, prices, and rules - check these before travelling.

When is the best time to visit Virintai?

May to September is most convenient for time outdoors and the lakeshore landscape. Before travelling, assess wind, rain, shore conditions, and lawful access; take particular care on unfamiliar water.