Čepkeliai Marsh, Nature reserve in Varėna District Municipality, Lithuania
Čepkeliai Marsh is an expansive wetland in Varėna District covered by raised bogs, small lakes, and thick peat layers that give it a soft, spongy ground. The landscape displays open water areas mixed with forested sections and low plant growth typical of northern European marshes.
The area gained protection as a botanical-zoological sanctuary in 1960, then became a state nature reserve in 1975. These designations reflected growing recognition of its importance as a fragile ecosystem requiring safeguarding.
The wetland's name derives from Lithuanian language, with its plant life shaping how locals understand the landscape. Visitors can watch how people gather wild berries and mushrooms during certain seasons, reflecting practices tied to the land.
The best way to experience the marsh is from a viewing tower and along an educational trail near Marcinkonys village. The ground is soft and wet, so sturdy footwear and careful stepping on marked paths will keep you safe.
The marsh forms part of a transboundary Ramsar Site connecting wetlands across the Lithuania-Belarus border. This cross-border designation shows how conservation efforts bring neighboring countries together to protect shared natural areas.
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