ESC - Lithuania -

Aukštojas Kalnas

, 321m - Info

Introduction :

Former highpoint Juozapine Kalnas.

Every so often highpoints are re-measured and new ones found. For many years it had been assumed that Juozapine Kalnas in the Medininkai Highlands was Lithuania's highest point at 292.7m. However it appears that this was incorrect. In 2004 a surveying team from the Vilnius Gediminas Technical University measured a nearby hilltop and found it to be 293.84m. This new high point was but half a kilometre from Juozapine Kalnas, yet to rub salt into the wounds, Juozapine Kalnas did not become the second highest point, no, that claim has gone to Kruopine hill (293.65m) some 10km west.

At the time of the 2004 survey, the 293.84m hilltop did not have has a name, so the Lithuanians set about finding one. A competition was held, Aukštojas / Aukštejas, the name of the ancient god of creation from Lithuanian mythology was chosen, and inscribed on a rock similar (if not a little smaller) to that which had been placed on Juozapine's proud summit. The new name became official on November 18th 2005.

Getting there and away :

Aukštojas lies 30/ / 40 minutes southeast of the Lithuanian capital city of Vilnius, though budget airlines such as Ryanair fly to Kaunas , about an hour northwest of the capital.

From Vilnius, drive down the A3 / E28 and come off at Medininkai, pass south through the town and there will be a sign post to Juozapine. From here it is a short walk through arable and woodland to both hill tops. You may also wish to visit Medininkai castle whilst you are in the area.

Maps and Books :

OpenStreetMaps shows the ascent routes.

There a number of information boards in the area of Aukštojas, which contain maps of the area, reproduced here. North is to the top of the map.

Useful Links :

The website of the Lithuanian Tourist Board.

You can read the latest UK government travel advise to Lithuania at https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/lithuania.

For a weather forecast, check www.mountain-forecast.com.