Around Horses' Cape

5 km · ~90 min · 10 stops · free

The trail leading around the Horses’ Cape (Žirgų ragas) gives you an opportunity to take a glance at the secret world of sand. You will see the Dead Dunes of Nagliai Nature Reserve. The villages were buried underneath them hundreds years ago. The inhabitants of sand-buried villages founded Pervalka in 19th c. The interesting history is also reflected in the ancient names of Horses’ and Birštvynas Capes. Pervalka (Perwelk) itself was a place from which the Teutonic Order used to cross lagoon to reach a castle on the other shore.

  1. Rest area with fireplace

    Stopping at the rest area, you can take a break after the kilometres you have covered. This is a great spot for a picnic, and the safe fire pit lets you treat your family or friends to a proper hot meal.

  2. Birdwatching tower

    From the tower you can watch the birds nesting and wintering on the lagoon, or simply enjoy the sweeping panorama of the Curonian Lagoon.

  3. Horses' Cape

    It was the spot where the cavalry of the Teutonic Order used to start their journey to Ventė Castle, standing on the opposite shore of the lagoon.

  4. View to the lighthouse

    The only lighthouse standing outside the land can be seen from Horses cape. It was built on an artificial island in 1900, still operates today.

  5. Coastal outcrops

    The shore of the lagoon is constantly eroded by water. Visitors can discover interesting forms of sandy outcrops while travelling along the coast.

  6. Birštvynas birch forest

    The forest paths go through cozy pine groves, dark fir forests, humid stretches of black alders and plenty of birches that gave the cape its name.

  7. Beekeeper’s Way

    This forest path was named after a beekeeping research centre nearby. Separated from the mainland, the Curonian Spit was a perfect place to study new species of bees.

  8. The lighthouse

    The Žirgų ragas lighthouse was built in 1900 on a small artificial islet. It is the only lighthouse of the Curonian Lagoon not situated on dry land.

  9. Spruce trees

    Most of the dunes of the Curonian Spit are covered by light pine forests, and only here and there can we come across small spruce stands arranged in little “islands”. This forest mosaic was created by foresters to preserve biodiversity.

  10. View to the Dead Dunes

    Here one can admire one of the most beautiful views in the Curonian Spit – Nagliai Nature Reserve that lies on the other side of the bay.

Open the trail with an interactive map → goneringa.lt