New running trail and world travel for Vilnius residents

Every second summer weekend Lithuania’s capital will celebrate the culture of 7 countries

Now that summer is creeping in, running professionals and enthusiasts in Vilnius are enjoying a new acquisition. Markings with the logo "Trail around Vilnius" have appeared on columns, tree trunks and information boards, guiding joggers along a 100 km route around the capital of Lithuania.

Most of the trail runs through forests

The track has been prepared in consultation with the Lithuanian runners community and is especially recommended for trail runners, but occasional joggers, walkers and everyone who keeps an active and healthy lifestyle are welcome.  

The official starting point is Table Hill in the centre of Vilnius, but the trail can be accessed from any point or covered in separate sections. As most of the route stretches off-road and through forests, it is suitable for runners or walkers with joint problems because the soft ground allows them to feel comfortable.

A dedicated website helps people prepare for the run, find maps and descriptions of the route sections, and download apps to their mobile phones.

Travel around the world without leaving the city

There are Lithuanians who would rather hop around the world instead of around Vilnius. Now they can do it safely, due to the new vacation initiative of Go Vilnius.

Every second summer weekend, Lithuanians are invited to immerse themselves in the culture of seven very popular destinations, including Italy, India, the USA, France, Spain, Germany and Japan. Vilnius communities, tour and event organizers, restaurants, hotels and artists have joined their efforts to create an exotic experience at home for Lithuanians, who cannot travel abroad due to the corona restrictions.

The project is also expected to help businesses that have lost tourist revenue survive this holiday season. Restaurants and hotels respond by offering discounts to visitors.

On the first weekend of the project, 5 June, Lithuanians experienced an Italian holiday in Vilnius. During the event, the city hosted seven spaces presenting Italian culture and cuisine, also bringing back the Street Music Day popular among Vilnius residents, which had to be postponed due to the quarantine this spring.

Supporting the tourism business

“The initiative of vacation in Vilnius is one of the measures of the 4 × 3 support plan which we drafted to help business, culture and tourism to recover. Creative solutions are now essential for the tourism business to survive under quarantine conditions. It is also important that people who miss travelling have a simple and convenient choice for a vacation, which will allow them to adapt to the changed rhythm of life and create positive emotions. I invite you to Vilnius, where you will rediscover the joy of travel and get to know unfamiliar cultures,” said the Mayor of Vilnius Remigijus Šimašius, quoted by the city website.

The cultural programme and meals, trips and accommodation are organized according to all current Covid-19 safety rules.