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Aukštojas 294m
Highest mountain in Lithuania

There is a lively debate in Lithuania about which hill is the highest in the country. According to recent measurements, Aukštojas measures 293.8 metres, while Juozapines is only recorded at 292.7 metres. Fortunately, the two candidates are right next to each other, so you can simply drive to both. This is reminiscent of a similar discussion in Denmark. The summit is located very close to the border with Belarus, in a geopolitically sensitive location on the EU and NATO's external border.

Start: Rukainiai 199m
Altitude difference: 197m
Distance: 17km
August 2023


The profile does not pose any serious problems.


I actually wanted to start in Vilnius, but the road traffic is generally too bike-unfriendly in the Baltics, so I start much further out in the arbitrarily chosen town of Rukainiai.


Storks characterise the Baltic region. Every village has its own nest. Often - as here - in private gardens.


Our initial destination is the village of Medininkai.


We cross one of the few main roads still open between Vilnius and Minsk/Belarus.


We continue comfortably on this secondary route with very little traffic.


Behind Medininkai, we pass this pretty wooden church.


Then turn right again...


...on a marvellous route towards the finish behind the little wood in front of us.


This is followed by the only sign in the entire Baltic region with a significant (well...) gradient.


This is the summit of Juozapines. It used to be the highest mountain in Lithuania. However, the slightly higher Aukštojas is within sight.


So quickly take this gravel path...


...and then we have reached the right summit stone.


There is a viewing tower on the summit.


On the way back, a quick detour towards the border with Belarus. 200 metres before the border fence visible in the background, this sign ends the onward journey. A few seconds after this photo, a Lithuanian military vehicle appears out of nowhere and tells me in a friendly but firm manner that I have no business here. Good to know that the guys here are doing their job conscientiously.



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