In Genionys and the surrounding area, archaeological traces and routes through varied landscapes take centre stage. The Stone of Genionys and the Old Cemetery provide tangible points of reference for the area's history; several nature trails lead to a beach, through pine forest or around a mill pond. When planning your visit, it is worth considering the seasonal visitor rules and the routes described separately.
Stone and Cemetery
The Stone of Genionys, also known as Kiškio bažnyčia, is a mythological site next to the village of Genionys in Varėna District Municipality. The grey-brown granite boulder rises 1.15 metres above the ground and is 2.6 metres long and 1.8 metres wide. According to V. Vaitkevičius, the stone may have been associated with the worship of the ancient Baltic goddess Medeina. This interpretation is explicitly a possibility, not a confirmed historical conclusion.
The Old Cemetery of Genionys is located on a small hillock, 2 to 3 metres high. Its northern and eastern slopes are covered with pine trees; the cemetery dates from the 18th to 19th centuries. The stone and the cemetery thus offer different points of interest for a visit: the boulder is also associated with a possible mythological interpretation, while the cemetery is characterised by its dating and its location on the tree-covered hillock.
Nature Trails and Seasonal Visitor Rules
Two seasonal periods apply to the “Čepkelių mokomasis takas” nature trail near Genionys. From 1 August to 1 March, individuals and visitor groups may visit the trail independently for educational purposes, but only during daylight hours and within the trail boundaries. From 1 March to 1 August, visits are permitted only when accompanied by a specialist from the Directorate of Dzūkija National Park and the Čepkeliai State Nature Reserve. Before your visit, check which rule applies to your planned date.
A 1.6-kilometre nature trail near Genionys leads to the beach at Lake Žiežulis. The beach has a bridge, a wooden sunbathing and lounging structure, changing cabins, benches and pavilions. The “Girinio pažintinis takas” trail is 3.6 kilometres long and runs through the pine forests on the southern edge of Marcinkonys, around the pond of an old mill. It has recreational facilities, pavilions and a beach. Facilities and trail conditions may change; check both before your visit.
On the Girinio Trail, you can observe plants and mushrooms of the Dzūkija pine forests, as well as birds and aquatic animals at Duobupis Pond. The animals you may see vary by season. The two trails have different focuses: the nature trail leads to the beach at Lake Žiežulis, while the Girinio Trail follows a loop around the mill pond and also offers opportunities for observing nature.
Genionys Lake and Fishing
The beach at Lake Žiežulis should not be confused with the information about Genionys Lake, also known as Urmis. Genionys Lake covers 2.99 hectares and has a shoreline of 0.67 kilometres. Its shores are low, marshy and overgrown with shrubs; a wetland of about 11 hectares extends along them. This means that the lakeside landscape described here differs markedly from the beach destination at Lake Žiežulis.
Fishing in Genionys Lake is permitted only with a valid recreational fishing permit L05.01 or the right to fish for free. As requirements may change, check the regulations before fishing. If you are looking for a holiday apartment for a stay in Genionys, the historical sites, trails and fishing can each provide a different focus for planning your trip.
Discover more destinations: Merkinė, Roduka, Pamusiai, Viršurodukis, Marcinkonių Eldership, Kibyšiai, Vilkiautinis.
Return to the regional travel overview: Varėna District Municipality.
