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06/10/2022

Nature Walk in Tukums Region

When nature unknowingly begins to color only in the expressive colors and moods characteristic of autumn and winter, it is time to go to nature to experience the magic of autumn, which includes forests and swamps, as well as gardens and fields. We invite you to walk and watch the splendor of nature on one of our nature trails!

Walking Trails in Kemeri National Park!

Kemeri National Park offers several sights and trails. The Great Ķemeri Bog boardwalk has two routes — the long route of 3.7 km and the small route of 1.7 km. The longer route includes a watchtower, from which you can observe the vastness and thousands upon thousands of ponds and lakes of the bog. The food bridge will lead you to the kingdom of mosses, bog pine-trees, peaty pools, murky little lakes and scent of Marsh tea.

Kaņieris Lake Reed Plank-way and bird-watching tower - from Reed Plank-Way the visitors will be able to get to know the reed maze of Lake Kaņieris from a completely different viewpoint. Bird-watching tower allows seeing the birds on Lake Kaņieris from above. Trail starts at the Rieksti peninsula near the juniper stand of Lake Kaņieris and the birdwatching tower, and it leads through the reeds of Lake Kaņieris to Andersala. It is approximately 500 m long.

Kaņieris Hillfort Nature Trail – in the 8th kilometre of the Antiņciems-Jāņukrogs road, next to Lake Kaņieris is the Kaņieris hillfort nature trail that leads through the forest and a grassy swamp towards the Kaņieris hillfort. Length of the trail is approximately 1,5 km.

Dunduri (Gadfly) Meadows Waching Tower - not only meadow birds can be observed here, but also wild horses and cows can be seen. You can also see some forest animals.

Black Alder Swamp Forest Plank Way - the plank way of the black alder swamp forest is one of the shorter trails in the Ķemeri National Park (600 m), and it is located right next to “The Forest House”. Here, in a very focused and concentrated way, you can learn about wet broad-leaved tree forests — swamp forests.

Forest Trail Near Forest House (Meža māja)- will take you along the paths of the historical Ķemeri resort park and introduce you to rare and magnificent deciduous Oak Forest.

Sulphur Pond Plank Way - is set up on the western side of the Witches’ Swamp, half way between Ķemeri and Antiņciems. It takes you along a high bog, where you can study peculiarities of swamp ecosystems and its typical flora.

The Green Dune (Zaļā kāpa) - The Green Dune is one of the most interesting dune formations in the Ķemeri National Park. It is a several kilometre-long inland bank of dunes overgrown with an old pine forest. Kemeri National Park has created here a walking and cycling route.

Walking Trail of Lake Sloka – the trail (3.1 km) curls along the coast of the lake rich with diverse water fowl through various forests and offers wide opportunities for varying routes. The trail begins and ends at Lake Sloka, where the visitors are welcomed in the improved parking lot, picnic grounds, and bird watching tower.

Picnic spots have been created by the trails. The trails can be visited both individually and with a guide. All trails are free of charge. There is a paid parking lot only at the Great Ķemeri Bog Trail. Leaving the car there, every traveller supports the cleanliness and order in the park.

Guides can be booked by phone: +371 29224618 (Ķemeru takas), +371 29135543 (Ineta Jansone), +371 29216431 (Dagnis Mukāns), +371 29126551 (Ērika Berga), +371 29230275 (Līga Ozola), +371 22386129 (Jānis Šlūke).

Hikes with Bog Shoes of “Purvu bridēji” (Bog Wanders)

“Purvu bridēji” offer hikes and educational events at the Great Ķemeri Bog, as well as in other bogs across Latvia to discover the magic of bogs from a different viewpoint, learn about the structure of bogs, the formation history, the flora and fauna. The main sights: marsh lakes, the fabulous Lily Lake, Krāči Mountains, Litorina Sea Dunes. The length of the hiking route is about 5 km, which takes 3-4 hours.

Hiking is possible all year round. As the hike passes through protected nature territories and is not marked in nature, it is possible only with the "Purvu bridēji" guide. Group hikes and public events are organised. Maximum group size - 26 people. Bog/snow shoes fit boots sized 19–34.5 cm (approx. sizes 30–47).
Application: info@purvubrideji.lv . Additional information: www.purvubrideji.lv or by phone +371 20120101

Nature Trail “Viesatas Upesloki” (River Bends of Viesata)

On the picturesque banks of the Viesata River, you can walk along the nature trail, play outdoor games, as well as have a picnic. When going on a walk along this trail, you will have an opportunity to see the steep banks of the river, a 200-year-old pine-tree, the brown spring, the pig’s bath, a beaver house, a woodworking site, a black alder stands, a grand birch tree, the rock – Spuņņakmens, and many more nature objects. The trail is 5.1 km long one way, and it can be taken along 3 different routes. The trail is marked and can be walked without a guide. Apply for a guide by phone: +371 28302871

The Nature Trail of Jāņupītes Stream

The Nature Trail of Jāņupītes Stream is a relaxing, 1.1 km long walking route, in a forest with several stairs and bridges. Visitors walking along the trail can observe the force of the 2005 storm, which resulted in trees of respectable age being brown down. You will also have the option to measure the circumference of trees that are 170-180 years old. Guide services are possible, but the trail is marked and there are information stands that allow you to walk it without the help of a guide. A picnic area and a campfire site are available. Apply for a guide by phone: +371 26386611

Kartavu Hill Talking Trail

Kartavu Hill – a hilly area covered with forests, and the little River Biktsupīte flowing through it. Here, arranged are the nature trails, where you can see the grand alley of larches, and the spruce forest on a hilly terrain, the Karātavu (the Hanging) Spruce, the hillfort rampart, and diversity of the flora with rare trees, as well as see deserted and new beaver-made dams. At the Kartavkalns hill, at one point there was a settlement of the ancient Latvians. Well-maintained picnic areas are available in the middle of the trail. Apply for a guide by phone: +371 26101458

Baltic Coastal Hiking – Walking Along Seashore

The Baltic Coastal Hiking Route is part of the European long distance path E9. The E9 route runs from Cape St. Vincent in Portugal to Narva-Jõesuu in Estonia where the Narva River flows into the Gulf of Finland. In Latvia it runs along the Baltic coast and on our side stretches along the Mazjūra from Mērsrags to Ragaciems. There are two tours available: Mērsrags - Engure and Engure - Ragaciems.

Hiking route section: Mērsrags – Bērzciems – Abragciems - Engure

22 km long tour in Engure Nature Park. Route meanders between a rocky seacoast richly overgrown with reeds and other grasses on one side and wooded seaside dunes on the other side. In some places, the beach is paved with small round stones, in other places you can see grey dunes with a rich variety of plants. Beaches covered in sand and fine gravel, coastal meadows, small trails, forest roads. Asphalt in the villages, a small section of gravel road. Hiking route length: 7 – 9 h.

Hiking route section: Engure – Ķesterciems – Plieņciems – Apšuciems – Klapkalnciems – Ragaciems

25 km long section with a rocky sea shore near Engure. To Ķesterciems, Plieņciems - sandy beaches with a small gravel strip on the sea shore. In the vicinity of Apšuciems and up to Ragaciems - sandy beaches, which are popular with vacationers. Hiking route length: 8 – 10 hours.

There are information signs on the route. Available without a guide. More information: https://baltictrails.eu/en/coastal

Walks in the Forests Around Tukums

Hiking through the forests of the Tukums area, you can get to know the surrounding hills and highest peaks, bypassing the local lakes and exploring the treasures of nature. You can take also a hiking map of Tukums surrounding, where you can find 5 routs for one day walks.

Guide services are also offered - it is possible to go hiking under the guidance of Zigfrīds Freimanis (+371 29232026) and Ilvars Ruņģis (+371 29241910).

Nature park „Abava River Valley” Trails

Nature Park "Abava Ancient Valley" has been a popular tourist destination since ancient times. Its main value is the diversity of the landscape. To enjoy this, the park offers several day trips.

The Horse Trail in the ancient Abava river valley will lead you from “Zviedru cepure” (Swedish Hat) to Sabile and vice versa — from Sabile to “Zviedru cepure”, offering to enjoy a wonderful scenery of the ancient Abava river valley. In the olden days, neighbours went each other in horse-drawn carts, and hay was brought back from the fields in carts, too.

While the landscape observed near “Zviedru cepure” has a smaller presence of people and more of meadows and bushes, then, as you get closer to Sabile, you will notice objects that are man-made. One of such objects is Sabile Russian Cemetery, which is an ancient hillside cemetery. It can be deduced from the ancient artefacts found there that the cemetery dates back to the 10th-11th century. It is said that the cemetery got its name from the fact that in the 17th century Russian and Swedish armies fought a battle nearby and the fallen Russian soldiers were buried here. As you get approach Sabile, you will have to cross the Egypt of Sabile. This is a recreational site popular amongst the locals. It once used to be a meadow, but now there is a beautiful pine tree stand on the banks of River Abava. It is possible that it was because of this spot that it was given the nickname Egypt.

The Old Oak Place “Ozolāji” has long been a popular walking and recreational site for the locals of Kandava. In 1920-ties and 1930-ties, this was the venue of theatre performances, concerts and open-air dances. This was also where the local scouts used to gather. And only later the open-air stage “Ozolāji” was built to hold cultural events in Kandava. The trail of old “Ozolāji” starts near the Kandava Vicarage Manor. It is 1.2 km long and takes you along the steep ancient Abava precipice to the biologically valuable meadows on its current banks.

Three Imula River Trails

Imula is one of the tributaries of Abava — a winding river with often steep banks. To get to know its surroundings and natural diversity, the Abava Valley Development Center has created nature trails. The path is marked with white lines on trees.

The Nature Trail Along the Imula Banks from “Vītiņi” to “Romance” is one of the trails of the nature park of the ancient Abava river valley. The path starts where Imula joins Abava near “Vītiņi” house, and you can walk it all the way to the guest house “Romance” and back. Its length is about 4 km, and, as you walk it, you can enjoy the beautiful Imula valley and see the Devil’s Foot Boulder of Lanksēde. The path is most beautiful during the springtime, when the blue, white and yellow spring flowers are blossoming, the spring sky is clear and in more humid areas wild garlic is sprouting.

Other Nature Trail of Imula Leads from Buse Hillfort to Kauķa Hill. At the parking lot near the “Buse” house will be a good place to start a hike. At first climb up the hill to see the beautiful Imula river valley. At the centre of Buse or Matkule hillfort, a water cult site is set up; it is marked with three circles made of stones and a ritualistic bonfire place. As you cross the bridges of Imula river, you will reach the ancient cult site — the Church Hill.

As you continue towards Buse hillfort, at the foot of the hill, in the meadow you will find the Boulder Bedrīšakmens. As you cross another bridge and continue up the hill on the steps, you will reach the destination of the trail — the Kauķis Hill, where you can freshen up at the spring and then turn back to the starting point.

The trail is approximately 2.7 km long. It can be walked at any season, as you will enjoy wonderful sceneries of the valley and over the treetops.

Imula Trail from Kauķa Hill to Grote is best walked during the leafless season. It is rather wild and suitable for physically fit hikers. It is approximately 3.4 km long. The trail starts at Kauķis Hill. It is a continuation to the Imula trail leading from “Buses” to Kauķis Hill. Kauķis Hill is a tufa rock. Its name in the language of Courland meant the Lime Hill. Possibly, it is best viewed from the river side while boating. 

On the trail, you will see deep ravines with steep precipices, inundated streams due to beaver activity and landslides. People who know plenty about flowers will notice the pride of Imula valley — the perennial honesty, which is a protected plant and here grows in rather large stands. It has a peculiarly transparent white fruit, due to which in this area it is nicknamed Jewish money or money-flower.

Enjoy the golden autumn on the Tukums side - in the forest, meadows, hills and coast!