The Vidzeme coast.

Section 29. Tūja - Svētciems.

Practical information

Length: 24 km

Duration: 8 – 10 h

Start: Tūja before the estuary of the Zaķupīte River, next to 

Finish: Svētciems village next to the estuary of the Svētupe River, opposite the campsite Vējavas (paid )

Itinerary: Tūja – Ķurmrags – Meleki – Vitrupe – Šķīsterciems – Lāņi – Svētciems

Road surface: Rocky beaches, grassy/reedy coastal sections (before reaching the Svētupe River), gravel roads, asphalt, forest trails, occasionally algae washed ashore (algae scum).

Difficulty level: 

Obstacles: You can wade across the estuary of the small Zaķupīte River during low water (detour via Jūras and Liedaga iela in Tūja, a bridge 0,8 km away). The Vitrupe River can be bypassed via a bridge (0,5 km from the sea). During flood season, the water level may be high in the Kurliņupe River (bridge 0,9 km from the sea) . The Reisa reeds start before the estuary of the Svētupe River.

Dangerous places: The sandstone outcrops are composed of an unconsolidated and unstable material, which is why it is not safe to approach them from the top and the bottom or to crawl into the caves washed out by the waves.

Good to know! The stones overgrown with algae are slippery. A lot of stones “move”. You will need suitable (closed) footwear and walking poles for support.

Alternatives: Tūja and Meleki are connected by a forest trail stretching across the upper part of the coast with some interruptions, which can be used in case of strong winds. It is more comfortable for walking than the rocky beach. The forest trail also links Šķīsterciems village and Svētciems village (watch out for roaming dogs on the roadsides).