Hiking routes
“The White Wolf’s Green Path”
In the autumn of 2024, the Tukums Writers’ Association opened an interactive literary trail “The White Wolf’s Way Home” — from Smārde railway station to the poet Jānis Baltvilks’ birthplace “Zīlītes” in Smārde Parish.
In 2025, during the season of migrating birds, a continuation of the route was created — from “Zīlītes” back to Smārde station — called “The White Wolf’s Green Path.”
Following the QR codes placed along the trail and listening to Baltvilks’ nature poetry (for both children and adults), visitors can walk the same forest paths and roads that the poet and nature lover once took hundreds of times — planting trees in his own forest near “Zīlītes”, meeting friends and kindred spirits, or simply walking to the now-historic “53rd Kilometer” railway stop on the Riga–Tukums line.
Together, the two trails now form a closed loop, which on the map resembles a paper kite — with its string leading back home to “Zīlītes”. The trail usually begins and ends at Smārde station.
It is planned that the lyrical content of “The White Wolf’s Green Path” will change four times a year, reflecting the seasons — in autumn you can listen to AUTUMN, in winter WINTER, in spring SPRING, and in summer SUMMER — both in nature and in Baltvilks’ poetry.
The route can be explored on foot or by bicycle, but not by car. When setting out, dress appropriately for the season.
Route distance: ~7.7 km
Time required: 1/2 day
Level of difficulty: Easy
Route surface: Forest paths and dirt roads
Starting point: “Zīlītes” homestead. If combining both routes — “The White Wolf’s Way Home” and “The White Wolf’s Green Path” — the starting point can be either “Zīlītes” or Smārde station.
Finish point: Smārde station (or “Zīlītes” if combining both routes)
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Entry into “Zīlītes” house or other private buildings is not permitted!
To enjoy the trail, a QR code reader app is required on your phone.
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Authors of the route: Associations “Baltā vilka takas” and “Tukums Writers’ Association”.
The route was created with the support of Tukums Municipality, the State Culture Capital Foundation, and Zaļā josta Ltd.
