Baltic coastal hiking news
We invite you to participate in the Baltic Hiking Tourism Conference on May 23, in Apšuciemas.
Conference program (PDF, in English)
This Baltic States conference addresses environmental accessibility issues and presents implemented solutions on the Jūrtaka and Mežtaka hiking routes.
The conference is organized by the Latvian Association of Tourist Tourists "Lauku ceļotājs" together with partners from Latvia and Estonia in the project "Improving the accessibility of forest and coastal hiking trails for various social groups".
Conference speakers from Latvia and Estonia will talk about the implemented and planned environmental accessibility solutions on hiking routes. Lecturer Sofija Šipona from France, representing the European Hiking Organization, will introduce aqua walking, which is a popular rehabilitation activity in Europe. At the end of the day, on Apšuciemas beach, interested parties will have a unique opportunity to participate in an hour-long water walk in the sea under the guidance of an instructor (Sofija Šipona). NB! Participants need: neoprene wetsuit, running or water shoes, gloves, drinking water, a warm drink after the lesson, a towel.
After the conference, all participants are invited outside, where the Kurzeme Planning Region will unveil environmental accessibility infrastructure on Apšuciema Beach - a boardwalk to the sea for people with mobility impairments, a sunbathing deck for people in wheelchairs, changing cabins for people with mobility impairments, and 2 floating wheelchairs in the sea for use by people with mobility impairments.
May 23 - conference, aqua walking session and environmental accessibility infrastructure opening event working language: English.
We invite you to register by May 16 by filling out the conference registration form: https://forms.gle/KuBwkUoGFSeD97K18 .
We invite you to the spring Jūrtakas hike on May 24: Apšuciems - Engure
Join this spring's Jūrtakas hike from Apšuciemis to Engure – a 14-kilometer route that leads along wide beaches, pine forests, and coastal villages!
Event times:
10:00–11:00 – participants gather and register at Villa Anna in Apšuciemas
11:00 – we start the hike
~14:00 – finish in Engure and shared soup by the sea
Hiking route:
We start the walk along the Jūrtakas (E9) from APŠUCIEMS at the Villa Anna parking lot. The Apšuciems - Plienciems section has a beautiful, sandy beach 20 - 30 m wide, but dunes covered with pine trees rise from the shore. After about 3 km we reach PLIEŅCIEMS, which can be recognized by the Jūrtakas sign and the White Dune, located between the sea and Strautu Street. Between Plienciems and Ķesterciems there is an equally wide, sandy beach and a sparsely populated section, where seaside dunes covered with pine forests stretch out. It is 4 km from Plienciems to Ķesterciems. Ķesterciems can be recognized by the Jūrtakas sign, benches on the seashore and wider gray dunes - more open areas on the seashore. After Ķesterciems, the beach becomes slightly narrower. You have to cross a small river - Teitupīte. If there has not been heavy rain, you can jump over the river, if not, then there is a bridge about 150 m from the river's mouth into the sea. It is 6 km from Ķesterciems to the ENGURE CENTER. We walk through Engure on the pedestrian sidewalk (the coastal path markings are stickers on the road signs), because the seashore is so narrow during strong western and northwestern winds that in places we have to wade through the water. We pass the Engure Lutheran Church and after 100 m we turn right onto Labiešu Street. After another 120 m we reach the beach, where the Water Sports Center “Vējā” can be seen. This is the finish line of the walk.
Register for the hike: >>> https://forms.gle/uRNhbus4YV4tFdmt6
(until 20.05.2025)
Practical information (PDF) :
Arriving by car
The car must be parked at the hike's finish point in Engure
1) Jūras Street 85, Engure (Near Engure Culture House)
2) Labiešu Street 5, Engure (on the Engure promenade)
3) Jūras Street 56, Engure (Parking lot next to the old Engure cemetery and on the other side of the road)
! At 10:00 a bus will be organized from the Engure Culture House at Jūras Street 85 to the starting point of the hike in Apšuciemas.
Arriving by public transport from Riga
From Riga Bus Station
9:00 Bus 7951 (Riga–Dubulti–Talsi) to the Apšuciems stop (P128), arrives at 10:18.
From the stop it is ~500 m walk to the Villa Anna hotel.
After the hike: From Engure back to Riga
Bus at 15:02 or 18:59
The bus stop in Engure is located ~10 minutes walk from Engure Port.
For a leisurely Saturday morning. We recommend arriving in Apšuciems on Friday evening and staying overnight in Apšuciems.
Special offer for staying at the Villa Anna hotel:
- Single room – 40 EUR
- Double / TWIN room – 50 EUR
- Double room on the 1st floor with sea view (DBL) – 60 EUR
- Double room on the 2nd floor with sea view and balcony – 65 EUR
- Double / TWIN room with sea view – 60 EUR
The prices listed include breakfast.
We invite you to make hotel reservations and payments individually by emailing mail@villaanna.lv or by phone +371 26122679.
Baltic Forest Hiking Facebook news feed
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The beginning of the development of the volunteer movement in Latvia – inspired by the Norwegian experience
On December 8th of this year, Tukums became an important meeting place within the framework of the initiative implemented by the Kurzeme planning region, which promotes volunteering and inclusive tourism in Latvia. The event took place within the framework of the Bilateral Cooperation Fund of the European Economic Area Financial Instrument Programme "Local Development, Poverty Reduction and Cultural Cooperation", implementing the project "Baltic-Nordic Exchange of Experience in Volunteering and Promoting Inclusive Tourism".
The aim of the meeting was to share the Norwegian experience gained during the exchange trip and to discuss the prospects and opportunities for establishing a volunteer movement in Latvia. The event specifically addressed volunteers who have previously been involved in the development of long-distance hiking routes such as “Mežtaka” and “Jūrtaka”.
Although more than 15 participants initially applied, 9 volunteers attended the meeting – a number that turned out to be sufficient to initiate a valuable dialogue and build the foundations of a volunteer organization. The main result of the meeting was the preparation of documentation to register the association (the name of which will remain a secret until its establishment) in the Register of Enterprises of the Republic of Latvia in January 2025.
The event marked a significant step in the development of the Latvian volunteer movement and laid the foundation for long-term cooperation that will contribute to regional development and an inclusive tourism experience. This trip and meeting will undoubtedly become a lasting contribution to the development of Latvian tourism and society, inspired by good practice examples in Norway.
The Kurzeme Planning Region proudly notes the importance of this initiative and invites everyone who wants to build a more inclusive and dynamic society in Latvia to get involved.
The volunteer movement meeting was organized within the framework of the European Economic Area Financial Instrument 2014-2021 program "Local Development, Poverty Reduction and Cultural Cooperation. The Kurzeme Planning Region implemented by the Bilateral Cooperation Fund DSF initiative "Baltic-Nordic Experience Exchange in Volunteer Movement Participation and Promotion of Inclusive Tourism".
The information was prepared by me and more information about this initiative can be provided by:
Aija Neilande
aija.neilande@kurzemesregions.lv
Accessible hiking trails workshop and a hike on "Jūrtaka" - Baltic Coastal Hiking" for the Year of E9 / November 7-8
The community of hiking enthusiasts continues to grow; therefore, the Latvian Rural Tourism Association "Lauku ceļotājs" has come up with an initiative to make long-distance hiking routes "The Forest Trail / Mežtaka" and "The Baltic Coastal Hiking Route / Jūrtaka" more accessible to various segments of the society, including families with young children, seniors, people with mobility difficulties, or other limitations. In collaboration with organizations representing these community groups and project partners from Latvia and Estonia, environmental accessibility solutions will be developed, providing the opportunity for a wider range of the community to enjoy the hiking experience.
Accessible hiking trails workshop and a hike on "Jūrtaka" - Baltic Coastal Hiking" for the Year of E9
On November 7th, a workshop will take place at the Zvejniekciems Cultural Center in the Saulkrasti Municipality, where participants from Norway, England, Italy, Estonia, and Latvia will share practical experience and solutions for enhancing the environmental accessibility of hiking for various community groups. A representative from The Norwegian Association of Local and Regional Authorities will discuss how municipalities plan and implement accessibility in their areas. A representative from the European Ramblers Association will also be part of the seminar. This organization has declared 2023 as the Year of the E9 Long-Distance Hiking Route, particularly promoting it. "Jūrtaka" is part of the E9 route in the Baltic States. After presentations and discussions on the evening of November 7th, participants will embark on a hike in the "Jūrtaka" section in Saulkrasti. On November 8th, a hike is planned from Lilaste to Carnikava, where an environmental accessibility solution for people in wheelchairs will be developed as part of the project. Everyone interested, especially participants from the target groups included in the project, are invited to explore the needs of these groups for environmental adaptation together.
>>> Workshop and Hiking Program (in English, PDF): https://www.celotajs.lv/g/www/news/2023/Accessible_hiking_workshop_Nov-7-8-2.pdf
(The working language of the event is English.)
Registration is open until November 1st by filling out the registration form: https://forms.gle/BwcPc8dt5jgcuAcH7
This activity is supported as part of project "Forest and Coastal Hiking Trails' accessibility improvement for different social groups" (EE-LV00013), an Interreg Estonia-Latvia Programme 2021-2027, co-funded by the European Union.
This program reflects the views of the author. The managing authority of the programme is not liable for how this information may be used.
On November 8, all interested parties are invited to the "Jūrtakas" hike from Lilaste to Carnikava, ~9 km.
Participation is free, register for the hike by November 1 by filling out the application form: https://forms.gle/jEc4c2NnY5Ca1zEB8
After walking 4.5 kilometers, we will reach the mouth of the Gauja River, the most beautiful and longest river in Latvia - the mouth of the Gauja River. The mouth of the Gauja River is an important bird nesting and fish feeding place, therefore, from May 1 to July 31, the territory on the left bank of the river is a seasonal nature reserve. In autumn, the territory is accessible, which is why autumn is a particularly suitable time for hiking in this section of the "Jūrtaka".
At the mouth of the Gauja River into the sea, this time we will not continue our journey along the usual "Jūrtaka" route, but will cross the Gauja River in the boat "Sarnikau" of local fisherman Artūrs Jākobsons. Artūrs will also treat us to the famous Carnikava lampreys. The Gauja River is one of 3 Latvian rivers where lampreys are caught.
Moving across the Gauja, we will continue our hike to Carnikava beach (~2km). We will continue our journey along the Carnikava promenade (1.8 km) to reach the city. This part of the promenade, as part of the project "Improving the accessibility of the "Forest" and "Sea" hiking trails for different social groups", is planned to be made more accessible to people in wheelchairs. The paths leading to the promenade will be adapted so that people in wheelchairs can also reach the promenade.
After the promenade, we will go to the Carnikava Regional Research Center (0.5 km), where we will conclude the hike with a tour, a shared lunch and discussions on how to make hiking trails more accessible to different groups of society. From Carnikava, transportation will be organized for car drivers back to their cars in Lilaste.
The hike complements the November 7th workshop "Improving the Accessibility of the Forest Trail and the Sea Trail for Different Social Groups".
The seminar will feature experts from Norway, the United Kingdom, Italy, Estonia and Latvia sharing practical experience and solutions for environmental accessibility. Speakers will include representatives from a variety of organisations - the Norwegian Union of Local Authorities, the Italian Tourism Federation, the Estonian Chamber of Disabled People, the United Kingdom Hiking Association and the European Long Distance Hiking Association.
Program and more information: https://www.celotajs.lv/lv/news/item/view/1288
This activity is carried out as part of the project "Improving the accessibility of Forest and Coastal Hiking Trails for different social groups" (EE-LV00013). The project is implemented with the financial support of the European Union's Interreg Estonia-Latvia Programme 2021-2027. This press release reflects the views of the author. The Programme Managing Authority is not responsible for any use that may be made of the information contained therein.
Conference. TRAILS: GOOD FOR HIKERS. GOOD FOR COMMUNITIES. GOOD FOR ECONOMY.
The conference will highlight advantages of hiking in a more comprehensive meaning, presenting it not only as an outdoor activity or an alternative way of travel, but also as a tool to attract travellers, strengthen communities along the trails and foster local entrepreneurs, thus contributing to the prosperity of the society concerned. Panel discussion in the afternoon will invite to hear out hikers from Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania sharing their experience and exchange views on Forest trail and Coastal route in Latvia and Lithuania.
Baltic Coastal Hiking final conference and official opening of the E9 in Baltics
September 13–14, 2019
Baltic Coastal Hiking is a long-distance hiking route, part of E9, along the Baltic Sea coast. The total length of the route is 1,200 km, from which 580 km are in Latvia and 620 km in Estonia. The Latvian name of the trail is Jūrtaka, the Estonian – Ranniku matkarada. The route includes more than 500 natural, cultural and historical objects, it is available for everyone and the 60-day well planned itinerary can also be done in parts. Baltic Coastal Hiking route is ready, it’s being actively used by local hikers and travellers from abroad, now it is your turn to join in!
The Baltic Coastal Hiking project has come to an end, to celebrate the success, to see where we stand in Europe and to share our experiences. You are welcome to join the final conference on September 13 and follow the common Coastal Hike (~14 km) on September 14, 2019.
Registration for the event:: https://forms.gle/XaAHwsRGSDai2kjM7
Programme: Hiking_Programm.pdf
Contact information:
Programme: Hiking_Programm_en.pdf
This site reflects the views of the author. The managing authority of the programme is not liable for how this information may be used.