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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
Forest trail opening hike
We invite you to join us in opening the Lithuanian part of the 2,141 km Forest Trail route stretching across the Baltic States.
During the hike, we will overcome one of the most beautiful sections of the Forest Trail, winding between the largest lakes of the Samogitia National Park: Paplatelė – Plateliai: https://baltictrails.eu/lt/forest/day/162 .
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.
On May 22, the "Forest Trail" spring hike from Snēpele to Kuldīga
Join the "Mežtakas" 21 km hike on May 22, on the Mežtaka #92 section from Snēpele to Kuldīga. Bring hiking shoes, drinking water, spare socks and weather-appropriate clothing. The hike will start from Snēpele Manor. To solve the logistics issue, a bus will be organized from Kuldīga to Snēpele, which will take all participants to the starting point.
Registration for the hike >>> https://forms.gle/kTVamlHiVK7w46fo9 .
Participation in the hike is free. For more information, please contact aija.neilande@kurzemesregions.lv .
Forest Trail Spring Hike: Kandava - Sabile, April 23
Join our 17 km scenic Forest Trail section #95 from Kandava to Sabile (Zviedru cepure) Spring Hike on April 23. Bring hiking boots, drinking water, spare socks, and remember to dress accordingly to weather. The hike route starts at 9:00 at Ozolaji open-air stage in Kandava (GPS: 57.030567, 22.773616).
Registration >>> ej.uz/springhikingfestival.
Registration for the event closes midnight on the 10th of April or earlier if the maximum number of participants is reached. Participation – free.
The Pan-Baltic Hiking conference, 9-10 November in Kuldīga, Latvia
The Pan-Baltic hiking conference in November 9-10, 2021 taking place in Kuldīga, Latvia, will celebrate the success of the Baltic Trails (baltictrails.eu) connecting Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania with the European network of hiking paths as part of the routes E9 (Baltic Coastal Hiking) and E11 (Baltic Forest trail).
The conference will bring together stakeholders sharing experiences in planning, implementation, management and maintenance of long distance cross-border hiking trails. The keynote speeches will present experiences from the Baltics, Sweden and Norway. Presentations will be followed by Baltic panel discussions highlighting challenges and solutions in practical aspects such as local acceptance and support, benefits and sustainability of long distance hiking trails.
The conference will take place according to the national epidemiological safety measures. On-site for invited participants only: the project partners and others directly involved from the 3 Baltic countries, and the conference speakers. For all others we shall provide for a quality and active on-line participation in Zoom, where it will be possible to join discussions and ask questions, oral and written.
The 2nd conference day will offer a 10km hike on the Forest Trail section No. 92, Snēpele – Pelči, with a focus on trail management, meeting with the municipality representatives and trail managers. We shall follow the actual safety regulations and hope that on the 2nd day, it will be possible for all participants to meet face-to-face for the hike as an outdoor event. Fill in the registration and wait for our confirmation!
The event will be organized as a hybrid – on-site (invited audience up to 50 persons, according to the current safety regulations. Participation only with COVID-19 vaccination or recovery certificate) and on-line. The conference working language is English.
Please register to receive the conference Zoom link!
>>>The registration is open until 27.10.21.
>>> Full programme (PDF).
The conference working language is English.
>>> Contacts and information: anna@celotajs.lv.
This was the hiking festival in Lahemaa!
25.09.2021
Thanks to everybody, who made the day become this amazing! It was the inauguration of the northern part of the Baltic Forest Hiking. Together with around 200 hikers from different countries, we celebrated the Grand Opening of the hiking trail with a 13 km long hike, speeches, good food, dance, and music. Here are some pictures from the big day. You can find more pictures from the festival on the following link: ALBUM
Hiking festival on September 4 in Lahemaa – the Grand Opening of the Forest Trail as part of the E11 long distance hiking path in the Baltic States
12.08.2021
With a hiking tour on September 4 in Lahemaa national park, Estonia the Forest Trail will be launched as part of E11 long distance hiking path of the European hiking path network. Everybody is welcome to join the 13km opening hike from Vainupea to Oandu villages in Lahemaa national park: Forest Trail section #41.
Tallinn in Estonia is the final destination in the E11 long distance hiking path of the European hiking path network. The E11 route goes: Scheveningen (NL)–Osnabrück (D)–Potsdam (D)–Poznań (PL)–Ogrodniki (PL)–Lazdijai (LIT)–Rīga (LAT)–Tallinn (EST).
Event PROGRAMME and REGISTRATION.
!!!! Only people who can show a COVID-19 certificate will be able to participate or negative test not earlier then 72hours.
The Forest Trail in the Baltic States leads through the most forested lands, regional, nature and national parks of Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia. The route starts from the Polish - Lithuanian border near the town of Lazdijai, leads through Latvia, turning into Riga, and finishes in Tallinn, Estonia. The route is divided into ~ 20 km long one-day or two-day sections with accommodation and transport options.
The opening hike on September 4 will start with the registered participants gathering at Oandu village, the final destination point. They will park their cars there and will be taken by bus to the starting point at Vainupea village. Before starting the hike, the Forest Trail will be officially launched as part of E11 by a representative from ERA - European Ramblers association addressing the hikers.
The 13 km hike from Vainupea to Oandu will start at 12:00. The participants will take a lunch break at Mustoja Campfire Site. Further the route leads through Altja historical seaside village, with coastal farms, fishing net sheds, and the tavern.
The hike will end in the afternoon, arriving to Oandu village at around 16:00. The event will close with greetings, thanking, eating, and concert of a local youth folk band “Uurikad”.
The Forest Trail welcomes everybody to go for a hike any time, with a guidebook and map in hand following the marking signs and signposts. Route GPX files for each section are downloadable from https://baltictrails.eu/en/forest. The website content is mobile friendly. Forest Trail info is also available from many hiking apps https://baltictrails.eu/lv/forest/apps. It is advised to make printouts that will be useful in areas with poor mobile network coverage.
See you on the Forest Trail!
Hiker-friendly
28.10.2020
What is Hiker-friendly sign for travelers and tourism service providers?
Hiking tourists are in close contact with the region in which they are and find it particularly important to feel that they are welcome and understood. This emotion is primarily created by visual information such as information stands, directional signs, appropriate information materials, thematic books and guidebooks. Hikers are expecting to find necessary products at local shops, as well as knowledgeable and helpful people who want to assist them. The “Hiker-Friendly” sticker or label is an effective way of demonstrating that the target audience is welcome. The labels are well-known all over the world, and travellers who spot them clearly understand that their needs will be understood and that there will be someone who will be prepared to share valuable information. From now on, such a sign will be also throughout the Baltics - Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia.
The “Hiker-Friendly” sign is available to any service providers for tourists in the Baltic States that want to be “friendly” toward hikers and to offer the relevant services to the target audience. This may be a part of a certification programme, and the signs are only received by venues which meet the relevant criteria. The labels may also be used by responsible tourism organisations, with businesses being free to choose whether or not they want to post the label. In other cases, this can be the initiative of businesses as such.
Hikers and entrepreneurs can find the Hiker-friendly sign and criteria here: https://baltictrails.eu/en/forest/marketing
We invite in this autumn hiking enthusiasts to enjoy an active holiday in the Forest trail and other hiking routes to see the Hiker-friendly hospitality for themselves!
Shopping near the route
We have gathered together the information where there are shops near the Forest trail route, where you can buy small gas cylinders for primroses. There are hikers, especially long distance hikers, who take this equipment with them and prepare coffee, tea or a meal.
Information is summarized here: https://baltictrails.eu/en/forest/route/info - in the sub-section "Useful advice".
Let the Baltic Forest trail hiking begin!
05.07.2021
Forest trail is a hiking route that leads through the most beautiful forests of Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia. We have opened the Mežtaka website with information for planning walks and hikes and invite you to go to the forest on the next weekend - first here, in the part of the Latvian route! We have opened the Forest trail website with information for planning walks and hikes and invite you to go to the forest on the next weekend - first here, in the part of the Latvian route!
The last km of the Forest trail is getting marked right now in Lithuania and Latvia. Still you can start your hiking adventures by using the descriptions, maps and downloadable GPX routes. The Forest trail is still under construction, so the information on the website may not be complete - for example, a photo or description may be missing in some of the intended languages. When planning a holiday trip in the near future, use the contact information in the descriptions to contact the service providers you need, such as accommodation, caterers, in advance and make sure they are working.
Each day of the Forest trail has a description - start and end points, how long the expected walk will be, what the road surface is, what will be worth seeing along the way. You can read more information about the most interesting and significant places, landscapes, nature landmarks and see the photo, so as not to miss the views on the way. No less important - every day you can also find information on places to eat, buy water and snacks, and also spend the night. The description and map show which sections are suitable and accessible for shorter walks.
The total length of the Forest trail is ~ 2141 km. When the borders are open, you will also be able to enjoy the forests and open air of the Baltic States. In Lithuania, the Forest Trail crosses the Žemaitija and Dzūkija National Park, the Nemunas Loop Regional Park and Kaunas. The Forest Trail in Latvia crosses the Gauja National Park, the protected landscape area of Ziemeļgauja and Veclaicene. In Estonia the trail crosses the Haanja Highlands, the Land of Setu (Setom, and along the western shore of Lake Peipus to Northern Estonia. Further along the coast of Northern Estonia and the Lahemaa National Park Peninsula, to Tallinn. The Forest trail is an international part of the European long-distance hiking route E11.
Don't miss the most beautiful time in the nature - spring; let's go in to the woods!