Baltic Forest Hiking - For visually impaired
Section 1. Old Riga - Baltezers.
Through Riga – UNESCO World Heritage Site
The starting point of Forest Trail in Latvia is located in the heart of Old Riga, the Town Hall Square. The route leads along Kaļķu Street, passes the Monument of Freedom, through Vērmane Garden and along the historic Tērbatas street. Then it arches over the Zemitāni railway station pedestrian bridge and treads into Biķernieki and Šmerlis forests. The Forest Trail winds through Jugla, passes the Latvian Ethnographic Open-Air Museum and goes on along the pedestrian-bicycle path until Baltezers.
The "Feel Jugla" Walking Trail
In the northeastern part of Lake Jugla in Jugla, a 250-meter wooden boardwalk (one way) has been created with a viewing platform overlooking Lake Jugla, a bench, 20 tactile spatial reliefs depicting characteristic animal species of the lake and its surroundings, and information in Braille. It is accessible to people in wheelchairs. The site is located 0.5 kilometers from the Mežtaka trail.
Taktilais Brīvības piemineklis
Unveiled on Latvia's birthday - November 18, 2022 - at Brīvības laukums opposite the original created by Kārlis Zāles and unveiled on November 18, 1935. This special bronze miniature was created by sculptor Ivars Miķelsons in a scale of 1:50.
Section 83. Paplatelė – Plateliai.
Around the largest lakes in the Žemaitija National Park
For the first 3.5 km, the Forest Trail leads through beautiful coniferous forests that cover the slopes of the Žemaitija Upland. Up to the Cold War exposition, it coincides with the Plokštinė cognitive trail. From the museum, the Forest Trail for 5 km follows the Plokštinė road, where a pedestrian / bicycle path has been created and, approaching Plateliai lake, descends into the lowland of the lake. At the road No. 3202 (Malūno street) , the Forest Trail turns left to the south-east and after 0.3 km turns right to right to the south-southwest. After about 0.5 km it reaches Ilgio Ežero street. For the next 5.5 km, the Forest Trail forms a wide circle around Ilgis and Beržoras lakes, reaching the Beržoras village. After the village, after 2 km along Plungės street, the Forest Trail reaches the centre of Plateliai and throws another circle along Ežero street to the beach and Šeirė educational trail. Then along Ežero, Naujoji and Žemaičių Kalvarijos streets, the Forest Trail returns to the centre of the town.
Šeire's Educational Trail
The trail is approximately 7 kilometers long, but there is a viewing platform accessible to people in wheelchairs that offers a view of Lake Plateliai and its islands. Plateliai is located in the Žemaitija National Park. The information board features a tactile map of the lake with its islands, allowing people with visual impairments to explore it. The parking lot is located here: GPS 56.048355, 21.826901. It is situated next to the Mežtaka trail.
Plokštines militārā pilsēta
Since 1993, the former Soviet Army facility has been managed by the Samogitian National Park Directorate. Many buildings of the military camp were demolished in 2017 due to their exceptional condition. Currently, about 10 buildings remain on the territory, which visitors can view from the outside. Information boards have been placed that tell about the former buildings and their purpose. A tactile board has been installed - a map that introduces the buildings, their location and functions.
Section 84. Plateliai – Salantai.
Towards the Pajūris Lowland
The Forest Trail for 6 km runs along the edge of the Plateliai–Salantai (No.2302) road. At this section, there opens up the view of the landscapes of the western part of the Žemaitija Upland over the Pajūris Lowland. In the centre of Gintališkė village, the Forest Trail turns left to the southwest, coming to road No. 3216. After 2.4 km, it turns right to the west, where it crosses the largest forest massif in this section. During the Soviet era, there was a missile base here, as evidenced by the road paved with concrete slabs. Then the Forest Trail briefly follows the Plungė–Salantai road (No. 169) and after 1.4 km turns left. Up to Salantai, it wanders through a small country road, and the small-town centre is reached through Žemaitės and M. Valančiaus streets. The beginning of this section is in Žemaitija National Park, but the last part is in Salantai Regional Park.
Šeire's Educational Trail
The trail is approximately 7 kilometers long, but there is a viewing platform accessible to people in wheelchairs that offers a view of Lake Plateliai and its islands. Plateliai is located in the Žemaitija National Park. The information board features a tactile map of the lake with its islands, allowing people with visual impairments to explore it. The parking lot is located here: GPS 56.048355, 21.826901. It is situated next to the Mežtaka trail.
Section 92. Snēpele – Kuldīga.
Venta valley and Riežupe Nature Park
Along the main street of Snēpele, the Forest Trail takes the road V1294 and after 0.3 km opposite Ķepšu lake turns right onto a small country road. Along this road, the Forest Trail bends to Slipiņciems, before crossing Sprincupe along the dam, where a pond has been created. Then the Forest Trail goes in the direction of Pelči. Nearby Pelči, the trail bends along Pelču Dambu ponds, leads to the Kuldīga–Pelču road (V1293) and further stretches through the Kuldīga garden areas – “Kurzemīte” and “Rumba”, until it reaches the Venta bank and the Kuldīga bypass. From there to the Old Brick Bridge, the Forest Trail for 2.4 km leads along a beautiful Venta coastal path, where there are wooden bridges and footbridges in wetter places and across streams town of Kurzeme.
The walking trail along the Venta River in Kuldīga
The trail stretches along the left bank of the Venta River from Kuldīga City Garden to the new Kuldīga bridge, covering 2.4 kilometers. Rest areas and information boards are placed along the trail. It is accessible to people in wheelchairs due to its smooth surface, which consists of fine, hard gravel, though some sections may require assistance due to inclines. The trail is wide, and where it crosses small stream ravines, wooden boardwalks and bridges have been constructed. This section of the Mežtaka trail runs along the Kuldīga promenade trail. Adapted restrooms are available. A parking lot has been established at GPS: 56.973354, 21.977798.
Section 93. Kuldīga – Renda.
Venta valley and Riežupe Nature Park
After the Old Brick Bridge across the Venta river, the Forest Trail continues for a short time on the right bank of the Venta, notched by ravines, then, along Krasta street and Vetklīnika–Paleja road, it crosses Kalnmuiža forest and Riežupe and further up to Mazrenda continues along the roads of the vast Renda forest massif. The terrain is flat here, because this section is part of the Pieventa plain of the Kursa Lowland. In Mazrenda, the Forest Trail crosses a sand-gravel quarry and takes you to the centre of Renda along Kuldīgas street. The section belongs to the territory of the nature reserve “Ventas ieleja” and the nature park “Riežupe”.
Audio guide "Through Mežtaka in Kuldīga for People with Visual Impairments"
In 2024, an audio guide titled "Through Mežtaka in Kuldīga for People with Visual Impairments" has been created. It starts at the Kuldīga Observation Tower, crosses the old brick bridge over the Venta River, and helps users explore the Kuldīga promenade trail along the Venta. Information at the observation tower and nearby is provided in Braille. A parking lot has been established at GPS: 56.973354, 21.977798.
Section 100. Bigauņciems – Dubulti.
The historic resort of Jūrmala
In Bigauņciema village, you can clearly see the whole length of the Jūrmala coast. The first third of this day’s itinerary is part of the Ķemeri National Park where you can get to know historic fishing villages, the Ragaciems village fishing area with net huts and a fish market, dune habitats, as well as watch birds in the estuary of the Starpiņupe River. Starting from Jaunķemeri to Dubulti, the walk takes you across the widest sandy beach of the Gulf of Riga through the historic resort in Jūrmala and the longest city in Latvia. Keep in mind that on warm and sunny summer days there will be a lot of beachgoers.
The Dubulti Coastal Dunes Trail
Along the Jūrmala coastline, in the dune zone from Baznīcas Street in Dubulti to Amatas Street in Pumpuri, a nature trail about two kilometres long has been created. It is intended for peaceful recreation, getting to know the surrounding environment, and various movement activities.
The trail is convenient for walking enthusiasts, Nordic walkers, and runners alike. Along the route you can experience the characteristic coastal dune landscape and its changing terrain.
Along the way, there are boundary elements, three rest benches, a wooden-deck area with a picnic table and seating, a viewing platform, and a terrace with a stretched net. There is also a special sensory section where you can feel different natural materials — sand, pebbles, and pinecones. Two outdoor exercise machines are placed along the trail, offering the opportunity to move and work out. The route is equipped with signs, as well as information stands about local nature, healthy lifestyles, and the importance of physical activity for human well-being.
The information stands on the Wellness Nature Trail include tactile maps for people with visual impairments. Using touch, they allow visitors to understand the trail, its placement in relation to the surrounding streets, and the maps also include information in Braille.
The map design and production were created by the company Socintegra, which specialises in providing a wide range of environmental accessibility services.
An audio guide about the trail is available in the Izi.Travel app (“Labsajūtas dabas taka / Wellness Nature Trail”) in Latvian and English, allowing users to listen to the information from the trail’s info stands in audio format.
Section 101. Dubulti - Lielupe - Bulduri.
The Most Popular Beaches in Latvia
The widest sandy beach of the Gulf of Riga stretches from Dubulti to the Lielupe River. It is the main asset of the Jūrmala resort offering many beach cafés and different recreational possibilities. The coastal dune forests are permeated with a dense web of trails suitable for walking and stick-walking. The part of the Baltic Coastal Hiking Route located between the beach of the Lielupe River and Jūrmala beach is part of the Ragakāpa Nature Park. From here, you can easily get back to Bulduri by taking Bulduri prospekts and the 5th line.
The Dubulti Coastal Dunes Trail
Along the Jūrmala coastline, in the dune zone from Baznīcas Street in Dubulti to Amatas Street in Pumpuri, a nature trail about two kilometres long has been created. It is intended for peaceful recreation, getting to know the surrounding environment, and various movement activities.
The trail is convenient for walking enthusiasts, Nordic walkers, and runners alike. Along the route you can experience the characteristic coastal dune landscape and its changing terrain.
Along the way, there are boundary elements, three rest benches, a wooden-deck area with a picnic table and seating, a viewing platform, and a terrace with a stretched net. There is also a special sensory section where you can feel different natural materials — sand, pebbles, and pinecones. Two outdoor exercise machines are placed along the trail, offering the opportunity to move and work out. The route is equipped with signs, as well as information stands about local nature, healthy lifestyles, and the importance of physical activity for human well-being.
The information stands on the Wellness Nature Trail include tactile maps for people with visual impairments. Using touch, they allow visitors to understand the trail, its placement in relation to the surrounding streets, and the maps also include information in Braille.
The map design and production were created by the company Socintegra, which specialises in providing a wide range of environmental accessibility services.
An audio guide about the trail is available in the Izi.Travel app (“Labsajūtas dabas taka / Wellness Nature Trail”) in Latvian and English, allowing users to listen to the information from the trail’s info stands in audio format.