Lapės Ola, Natural sinkhole in Karajimiškis village, Lithuania
Lapės Ola is a sinkhole near Karajimiškis village, formed where the ground gave way, revealing layers of dolomite blocks and gypsum beneath the surface. The opening measures roughly 17 meters across and drops about 10 meters down into the earth.
This sinkhole took shape roughly 70 years ago when gypsum layers began dissolving beneath the ground. Water moving through underground rocks gradually wore away the mineral, weakening the soil above until it finally collapsed.
The name Lapės Ola means Fox Cave in Lithuanian, honoring the foxes that make their homes within this sinkhole's caverns. Visitors might notice signs of animal life as they explore the slopes and openings.
The sinkhole sits within Biržai Regional Park close to road 1303 and stays dry throughout the year, making it straightforward to visit and observe. These dry conditions mean you can walk around safely and examine the rock formations without dealing with water or mud.
The eastern and northeastern slopes contain ancient deposits laid down during the last ice age, while the dolomite elsewhere shows cracks running both up and sideways. This mix of features from different geological periods makes the sinkhole a place where you can see nature's different handiwork side by side.
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