Page 290 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Estonia Latvia & Lithuania

288  LITHU ANIA REGION B Y REGION

p Curonian Spit National Park Klaipėda

A narrow 98-km (61-mile) strip of land on the Baltic Coast,
the Curonian Spit (Kuršių nerija) was formed 5,000 years ago. Juodkrantė
Its landscape consists largely of pine forests, dunes and sandy BALTIC Area of the
SEA
beaches. The park’s forests are rich in wildlife such as roe deer, map illustrated
elk, foxes and wild boars. The dunes that tower over the Nida
village of Nida fall like cliffs into the Curonian Lagoon and
villages have been buried beneath the shifting sands. The
Curonian Spit National Park was created in 1991 to preserve Key
the dunes, lagoons and surrounding area. The national park, Curonian Spit National Park
which covers most of the spit, has been a UNESCO World
Heritage Site since 2000.

. Nida
The highly characteristic red-and-blue
fishermen’s cottages in Nida have
remained unchanged for centuries. Some
ancient weather beaten fishing boats lie in
the gardens outside the cottages.

Baltic Beach
The entire length of the spit on the
side of the Baltic Sea is one long Prevalka
sandy beach. Areas adjacent to the
villages are popular in summer, but
other parts are little visited. Parking Baltic Sea
throughout the spit is allowed only
at designated parking areas.

Preila

. Parnidis Dune
Looming 52 m (171 ft) above Nida Vecekrug Dune, the
Nida, Parnidis (Great) Dune offers highest wooded dune
stunning views and is one of the (67.2 m/220.5 ft), is
highest points on the spit. A bypassed by taking
sundial was erected here in 1995. the cycling track.
For hotels and restaurants in this region see pp306–307 and pp 330–31

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