Baltic Forest Hiking - Wheelchair accesible

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.

Past “Rāmkalni”, the Forest Trail wanders up the steep banks of Gauja valley, passes through Gauja village and comes back down. Then it crosses river Lorupe and continues along the bends of river Gauja, passing one of the most spectacular outcrops of the river, the Velnala Cliffs, goes up to Ķeizarskats observation spot and circles down to Ķeizarkrēsls, adventure park “Mežakaķis” at Kaķīškalns and the Sigulda Bobsleigh and Luge Track.

After passing through Sigulda, the Forest Trail follows the River Vējupīte to Mound Paradīzes, where a steep staircase leads down into the ancient valley of Gauja River and the ravine of River Vējupīte. It continues to wind down smaller paths through meadows, crossing small rivers whose banks reveal sandstone outcrops. The last six kilometres of this section follow a smaller path down Līgatne Nature Trails. As it draws closer to Līgatne, the Forest Trail moves up the hills of Gauja valley, before descending back down into the deep ravine of Līgatne River, where the village of the former Līgatne Paper Mill is located.

One of the most scenic parts of the Forest Trail stretches along the historic village of the Līgatne Paper Mill, passes Spriņģi Rock, curves along Skaļupe Trails and the Mythological Trail, stops at one of the most secret sites on this side of the Iron Curtain, the Soviet Bunker, then continues along Roči Nature Reserve, crosses Amata (the most beautiful and rockiest part of the river) and finally comes to Zvārtes Rock. Next, the Forest Trail runs along the high banks of Amata valley and follows the historic Cēsis–Riga “highway” (now a small rural/forest road with old mileposts) to Rakši, then ascends up the Vāļukalni hills and Ozolkalns, following along the River Gauja until it meets Cīrulīši Nature Trails. It comes to a stop at Gaujas street, but travellers may continue down the path for a further 2.8 km to Cēsis, spend the night there, and continue walking on the following day.

The Forest Trail follows small roads and trails through the woods up until the water tourist camp “Lenči”, winds through the ever-changing terrain past Ērģeļu Cliffs and enters the ancient valley of Gauja River. Having passed Ērģeļu Cliffs, the trail turns back towards Cēsis, but then veers off towards Rāmnieki in Pieškalns, crossing the river. After the water tourist camp “Jāņarāmis” the Forest Trail enters a beautiful, bright pine forest, proceeding through the woods until it reaches “Caunītes”, which is one of the most beautiful places on the banks of the Gauja River.

The trail passes through the historical centre of Valmiera and the Atpūtas Park, which is a popular place among hikers and Nordic walkers, then crosses the suspension bridge, passes Pauku priedes pine forest and Baiļu kalns. From there it follows the Abuls Trail, curving along the banks of the river until reaching the Brenguļi Brewery, and further down, beyond Pūpoli, enters vast, unpopulated forest areas. The first part of this section passes by numerous small summer cottage villages with names such as Enerģētiķis, Saulītes, Sprīdītis, Gaujmaļi, Pūpoli and Gaujaslāči, which were initially established during the Soviet period as summer cottage neighbourhoods of the people of Valmiera and the surrounding territories. Near Ūdriņas, the Forest Trail leads through a labyrinth of the riverbeds and turns north, crossing the Gauja Bridge, where a resting and boating stop is located. The centre of Strenči is located at a 1.5 km distance. Part of the section passes through the Northern Gauja protected landscape area.

The beginning of the Forest Trail at this section coincides with the Gauja Nature Trail, which runs along the very bank of the river. The Forest Trail crosses the A3 in two places (before the turn to Seda and before Kauči) (be careful!) and continues along small forest roads, a sand-gravel quarry, then continues down a gravel road at the turn to Oliņas. After 3.5 km, turn right again and follow the route to Spicu Bridge via small and remote forest roads where some of the most beautiful sights of the Northern Gauja (“Ziemeļgauja”) protected landscape area can be seen by the so called Zemā sala (Low Isle). A picnic area and a camp are located at the end of this section, where the P24 crosses the Spicu Bridge.

The Forest Trail crosses Spicu Bridge and leads to the four Kokši lakes (about 4 km), which are interconnected by a small stream. Here you will find a picnic area, tent spots and a nature trail for travellers. The surrounding nature is beautiful, and the forests are rich in edible mushrooms. After passing the last of the Kokši lakes, Lake Dibena, in an hour or two you will reach the Cirgaļi dune massif, which you will cross towards north-south. The further section of the Forest Trail crosses a large forested area, and a lone homestead or a smaller lake can be seen here and there. The section ends in a small village named Zaķi. The village provides no services, so be sure to consider the necessary arrangements and accommodation options as you plan your hike. The section is located in the Northern Gauja  (“Ziemeļgauja”) protected landscape area.

Nearly half of this section runs on straight polder roads of the Lake Peipus lowlands. The polders are designed to protect the surrounding land from flooding in spring. The flat polder meadows are used for agriculture and grazing livestock. The section from Naha to Mehikoorma leads along the Räpina‒Mehikoorma roadway. A beautiful view of Lake Lämmijärv opens from the Mehikoorma Lighthouse. This lake is a narrowing between Lake Pskov and Lake Peipus. Russia lies on the other side of Lake Lämmijärv (1.7 km).

The stage fully justifies the name of the Forest Trail, as the next three days lead through one of Estonia's largest wetlands, the Emajõe-Suursoo wetland, which is surrounded by extensive forest areas. The only settlement area between Jõepera and Ahja River is Järvselja, enclosed by forests. The terrain is flat, since the Forest Trail still runs through the Lake Peipus lowlands. The destination is located by the Ahja River, which is known for its scenic Devonian sandstone outcrops and a popular boat route.

The Forest Trail has been circling around the Emajõe-Suursoo (a part of the Peipsiveere nature reserve) wetland for three days now. The most interesting part of the walk is the section between Vanaussaia and Varnja, where the Forest Trail runs along small rural roads. Before Varnja it reaches the shore of Lake Peipus (Peipsi), and here you can really feel the true size of the lake. The following distance from Varnja to Remniku along the shores of Lake Peipus and the surrounding territory will take about one week. Over this week, the hikers will learn more about the traditional culture of Eastern Estonia, such as onion cultivation, fishing, culinary heritage, crafts and the culture of the Old Believers.

Behind Vasavere, the Forest Trail continues through the Kurtna landscape reserve, encircles over a peat bog, crosses the town of Oru, passes through the Voka River valley and arrives at the Baltic Sea, where it turns west. Here, on the coast of the Gulf of Finland, rises the North-Estonian Klint – a steep, rocky and forest-covered cliff that stretches non-continuously to Tallinn and further to the islands of West-Estonia. The Forest Trail runs on top of the cliff and occasionally descends into valleys. It crosses the deep and vast Pühajõgi valley in the Toila-Oru park and comes to Toila, a popular coastal resort.

One of the most unusual sections of the Forest Trail in Northern Estonia, which leads along the foot of the impressive North- Estonian Klint in good weather, then climbs to the top of the klint in the villages of Valaste and Saka, revealing breath-taking views of the Gulf of Finland from the so-called Viru Rise. In the Saka‒Ontika‒Toila section (about 23 km), the maximum height of the North-Estonian Klint reaches 55 m. If the weather is clear, you can see the isles named Great and Small Tütarsaar, which belong to Russia, at a 50 km distance.

Behind the village of Vainupea, the Forest Trail enters the first Estonian national park ‒ Lahemaa, which means “the land of bays” in Estonian. For the next five and a half days, the Forest Trail will continue along the bays and peninsulas of Lahemaa national park, introducing the hikers to its most significant natural and cultural heritage. Special attention must be paid to the rules of the park. On this day, the Forest Trail passes through beautiful and quiet coastal forests, where mushrooms grow abundantly in autumn. It passes through the scenic Altja fishing village. The section comes to an end at Oandu in the visitor centre of the Estonian State Forest Management (RMK), where hikers can learn more about forest habitat types and forest management traditions.

The next 9 kilometres of the Forest Trail between Oandu and Võsu coincide with the RMK trail, so be aware of the change of the signs. The trail goes through a beautiful, wooded inland dune area, where hikers can see cuts on pine trees, used to extract resin from the trees. Resin was obtained in the Baltic States using this method up to the 1960s-1970s. Trees are richly covered in lichen, indicating that the air is clean. In autumn, mushrooms and blueberries adorn the edges of the trail. After passing through Võsu village (a popular resort), the Forest Trail continues along a beautiful coastal forest promenade to Käsmu village. It is worth walking an additional extra kilometre to the Vana-Jüri rocks and the historical sites of Käsmu at the tip of the peninsula.

On this day, the Forest Trail crosses the Juminda Peninsula. After leaving Loksa,  in 7 km it passes by a Soviet-era military object, the Hara Submarine Port. To visit it, you have to take a two-kilometre detour and buy a ticket. The Forest Trail goes through an area of beautiful forests and marshes, with high, dense forested sand dunes at the western end of the territory. It continues down the road from Pedaspea to Tsitre and passes a small section of the North-Estonian Klint just before Tsitre, where the Muuksi stronghold hill is located. The Tsitre picnic area is located 0.2 km from the sea.

A harbour was established at the Tsitre village as early as the Viking times. The first 4 km of the Forest Trail in this section pass through the territory of the Lahemaa national park. Between the villages of Muuksi and Soorinna, the road crosses an oval plateau, the klint elevation of northern Estonia, covered with scenic juniper fields. At the village of Põhja, the trail passes by the coastal wetland, and comes out by the sea behind the Salmistu harbour. From here, look out for the 1.3 km distant Pedassaar isle to the northeast, and the Umblu and Rohusi isles to the northwest. On Valkla beach, a nice beach restaurant awaits hikers. In Haapse the beach you can swim, sea gets quickly deep.     

Metsa matkarada suundub läbi Viimsi poolsaare kõige metsasema ala, kuhu on rajatud mitu kaitseala. Rohuneemes viib rada läbi endise nõukogude sõjaväeosa territooriumi. Sel päeval kulgeb rada peamiselt kõnniteedel ja poolsaare arvukatel autoteedel. Püünsi küla juures pöördub rada lõunasse ning kaugel üle lahe on näha Tallinna tornid, pilvelõhkujad ja sadam.

Metsa matkarada kulgeb piki Tallinna lahe rannikut ning alates Püünsist avanevad kaunid vaated Tallinna tornidele, pilvelõhkujatele ja sadamale. Enne Piritat pöörab rada männimetsa, seejärel aga kahekilomeetrilisele Pirita liivarannale. Pärast Piritat kulgeb rada kuni Tallinna sadamani kenal rannaäärsel promenaadil, kust avaneb vaade linna kultuurilistele ja ajaloolistele vaatamisväärsustele ning merele ja sadamale. Metsa matkaraja lõpp-punkt asubki vanalinna kõrval asuvas Tallinna sadamas. Võta päev või paar, et põhjalikumalt tutvuda Tallinna arvukate vaatamisväärsustega.

Nemunase jõe lookeid järgides teeb Metsa matkarada Nemunase loogete regionaalpargis üle 20 km pikkuse looke, käänutades üle kultuurmaastike, mida ilmestavad traditsiooniline arhitektuur ja eri tooni värvitud puithooned. Rada on metsasem vaid Siponiai ja Puzoniai külade vahelisel lõigul, kus rada kulgeb väikestel metsateedel. Pärast Vilniuse–Marijampolė maantee (A16) ületamist laskub Metsa matkarada taas Nemunase loogetele, kus paikneb tuntud Birštonase kuurort. Mööda B. Sruogose tänava kõnniteed suundub rada Birštonase turismiinfokeskuse juurde.

Esimesed 3,5 km mööduvad kaunites okasmetsades, mis katavad Žemaitija kõrgustiku nõlvu. Kuni Külma sõja muuseumini kulgeb Metsa matkarada Plokštinė tundmusrajal. Pärast muuseumi suundub rada Plokštinė tee kõrval kergliiklusteele. Plateliai järvele lähenedes laskub matkarada järvemadalikule. Teel nr 3202 (Malūno tänaval) keerab Metsa matkarada vasakule, kagu suunas ning 300 m hiljem paremale, jõudes u poole kilomeetri pärast Ilgio Ežero tänavale. Järgmise 5,5 km jooksul teeb matkarada laia kaare ümber Ilgise ja Beržorase järvede, kuni saabub Beržorase külla. Külast väljudes kulgeb tee 2 km mööda Plungėse tänavat ja jõuab seejärel Plateliai alevisse. Rada teeb nüüd hoogsa looke, siirdudes Ežero tänava ja Šeirė õpperaja kaudu Plateliai järve ranna suunas. Rannast suundub Metsa matkarada piki Ežero, Naujoji ja Žemaičių Kalvarijose tänavaid tagasi alevi keskusesse.

Metsa matkarada kulgeb 6 km Plateliai–Salantai tee (nr 2302) ääres. Siit avanevad hurmavad vaated Pajūrise madalikule ja sellega piirnevale Žemaitija kõrgustiku lääneosale. Gintališkė külas keerab rada vasakule, et suunduda edelasse viivale teel nr 3216. 2,4 km pärast teeb matkarada pöörde paremale, kust rada viib metsa. Nõukogude ajal oli siin raketibaas, sellest ajast annab tunnistust ka betoonplaatidega kaetud tee. Nüüd keerab Metsa matkarada 1,4 kilomeetriks Plungė–Salantai teele (nt 169), kuni keerab vasakule. Seejärel viib rada mööda väikest külateed Salantai suunas. Alevikeskusesse kulgeb matkarada piki Žemaitėse ja M. Valančiause tänavaid. Selle päeva teekonna esimene pool möödub Žemaitija rahvuspargis, teine aga Salantai regionaalpargis.

Salantai alevist suundub Metsa matkarada mööda M. Valančiause, Padvaralio ja Ilgoji tänavaid Läti piiri poole. 100 meetrit enne teed nr 169 pöörab Metsa matkarada vasakule, külateele ning jõuab 3,5 km pärast Erlose tänavale, kust see keerab taas vasakule, lääne suunas. 400 meetri pärast on pööre paremale, põhja suunas, kust rada kulgeb Šatraminiai suunas. Šatraminiai külas käänab matkarada paremale ja ristub 2,9 km pärast Salantai–Skuodase teega (nr 169). Šaukliai külas keerab Metsa matkarada vasakule ja jõuab 3,8 km pärast Mosėdise alevisse, päevateekonna lõpp-punkti. Suurem osa selle päeva teekonnast, välja arvatud Šatraminiai ümbruses, kulgeb Salantai regionaalpargi territooriumil.

Läti-Leedu piiri tähistab looduses Apše jõgi. Ka Metsa matkarada ületab Apše jõe, kui siseneb Skuodase–Priekule maanteed kaudu Lätti. Mõnda aega kulgeb matkarada piki teed, kuid keerab 1,7 km järel kruusateele, et võtta suund Kalēti poole. Ozoli külast alates avanevad pikad ja avarad vaated Rietumkursa kõrgustikul asuvale Vārtāja lainjale tasandikule. 500 meetrit kulgeb matkarada teel V1217, keerab seejärel paremale ning jõuab 2 km pärast Bārta–Kalēti–Gramzda teele (V1218). Möödudes Kalšu järvest, saabub Metsa matkarada peagi selle päeva teekonna lõpp-punkti Gramzda külas.

Gramzdast lahkudes tiirutab Metsa matkarada mööda väikseid teeradu liiva- ja kruusakarjääride vahel ning seejärel suundub põldudevahelist sirget teed pidi kirde suunas. Lejasbunči talu juurest keerab rada Mazgramzda poole, läbides oma teekonnal sügava ja hämara Ruņupe oru. Pärast Mazgramzdat kulgeb Metsa matkarada Gramzda–Priekule teel (P114), kus avanevad maalilised vaated Rietumkursa kõrgustiku Vārtāja lainjale tasandikule. Rada pöörab teisele poole teed, viib mööda kunagist lennuvälja edasi Priekule–Purmsāti–Kalēti teeni (V1211), ületab selle ning teeb siis väikse looke väikses metsatukas. Virga jõe käänulisi kaldaid järgides läbib matkarada Priekules Priediensi nimelise metsapargi, kus juba paistab päevateekonna lõpp-punkt.

Mööda Atmoda ja Jelgava tänavaid suundub Metsa matkarada Aizpute linnast välja, keerab pärast Laža veehoidlat paremale ja jõuab suure kaarega Kazdanga mõisaparki. Nüüd muutub matkarada väikseks teerajaks, mis kulgeb piki Dzirnavu järve kallast läbi mõisapargi, ümber mõisahoonete ja Zēnu tiigi, kuni jõuab Kazdanga–Cildi teele (V1200), kust keerab 0,7 km pärast Snēpele–Kazdanga teele (V1296). Kuni Zemturi puhkemajani tõuseb Metsa matkarada järk-järgult mööda Bandava mägesid kõrgemale, avades kauneid vaateid ümbritsevale Rietumkursa kõrgustikule. Küngaste kõrgused ulatuvad maksimaalselt 81 meetrini ü.m.p. Zemturi puhkemajast edasi suundudes kulgeb Metsa matkarada 12 km pikkuselt läbi hõredalt asustatud metsamassiivi, kuni jõuab viimaseks kolmeks kilomeetriks tagasi avamaastikule, kus valdavad põllud ja väiketalud. Teekonna lõpp-punkt asub Snēpele külas.

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.

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”.

The Forest Trail continues along the left bank of the Abava, along Kr. Barona street. Further, as a small path, it crosses the meadows and forest clusters of the Abava valley until it reaches a hill called the Swedish hat (Zviedru cepure). After Zviedru cepure, the Forest Trail goes along a small country road to the Plosti – Pūces road (V1471), crosses Amula and at Kalnmuiža winds up in the Abava valley, along which the next 6 km leads to Aizdzire Manor park. Another 1 km to the north the Forest Trail crosses the Abava valley in its full width, revealing some of the most beautiful views of the valley. The depth of the Abava valley in this place is about 40 m. After the Fisherman's Bridge (Zvejnieku tilts), the Forest Trail rises on the northern slope of a valley where vineyards are planted. Winding through the forest, it crosses the Kandava–Renda road (P130) and further along Sabiles street reaches Kandava. Along the Lauku, Ozola, Zīļu, Sabiles and Pils streets of this picturesque small-town the Forest Trail reaches the Knights' Castle Mound. Throughout the section, the Forest Trail winds through the nature park “Abavas senleja” (“Abava valley”).

Along Jelgavas street, crossing the old boulder bridge over Abava, the Forest Trail along Daigones street and further along a gravel road leads to the 5 km distant Daigone village, after which it descends along the Dziļkalns–Pūre road (V1464) in the Abava valley. After the bridge over Abava, the Forest Trail turns right and along a small path reaches Pūre. Circling around the Pūre Manor, it stretches for the next 5 km to Galciems along Zemeņu street and Pūre–Jaunsāti (C004) road. Sand and gravel are mined here in the quarries of the region. In Galciems, the Forest Trail turns left onto a small gravel road (C003), which after 3.5 km connects with Jaunmoku–Jaunsāti road (V1444). After another 3 km, the Forest Trail crosses the Rīga–Ventspils highway and reaches Jaunmoku palace along small paths surrounded by tree alleys. Approaching the palace from Jaunsāti, you can see the beautiful wide landscapes around the Forest Trail, where Spārnene, the wavy plain of Austrumkursa, alternates with Vanema hills.

In the vicinity of Jaunmoku palace, spectators are delighted by the beautiful landscapes of the Vanema hills of Austrumkursa Upland. The Forest Trail slopes down to the Bēru watermill and then, further up to Vecmokas, in a length of three kilometres rises by about 50 m, revealing beautiful landscapes to the wide Slocene valley in the south. After the alley of Vecmoku Manor, the Forest Trail crosses the Tukums–Lazdas road (V1442), turns around a cluster of farmsteads and then along straight forest path goes southeast along Sekļa lake. The lake can be accessed via small paths. In the vicinity of Recreation complex “Sveikuli”, the route continues along beautiful forest paths and joins the Tukums–Kesterciems–Kolka road (P131) near the Ozoliņi cemetery, where the town of Tukums begins. Along Raudas, Kurzeme Forest and Melnezera streets, the Forest Trail reaches the Sun hill (Saules kalns).

After crossing the area with some homesteads, the Forest trail winds through beautiful coniferous forests and further 6.5 km along Čaukciems until the turn to the Green Dune leads along the side of the Antiņciems–Smārde road The neighbourhood is flat, as the section is part of the Engure plain of the Piejūras Lowland. The Green Dune (Zaļā kāpa) offers wide views of the Green Bog (Zaļais purvs) and the Witches' Bog (Raganu purvs). A small forest road bends along the lower part of the dune and in two places crosses the bog along wooden footbridges. In Ķemeri, the Forest Trail moves along Partizāna, Robeža, A. Upīša, Katedrāles and E. Dārziņa streets, along the Forest House and Vēršupīte, into which the waters of sulphur springs flow. Crossing Tūristu street, it continues along the Dūņu road to the Sloka lake. Further the trail crosses the Vēršupīte swamp forest, which is one of the most outstanding wet forest habitats in the whole part of the trail in Kurzeme. At Melnezers it turns onto the Old Ķemeri road and after 2 km it reaches Bigauņciems. Behind the Talsi highway, the Forest Trail reaches the shore of the Gulf of Riga and connects with the Coastal Hiking Trail. The Forest Trail runs through the Ķemeri National Park along the entire section.

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 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 itinerary is an alternative way to get from Jūrmala to Riga by going through the forest. After passing the bridge across the Lielupe River, the Baltic Coastal Hiking Route snakes through Priedaine with its wooden buildings, goes along the right bank of the Lielupe River, then turns towards the Southern part of Bolderāja Dune and crosses Kleisti forest past Lāčupe Cemetery. Next, it goes along the historic roads of Pārdaugava on the West bank of the Daugava River, namely, Buļļu and Daugavgrīvas iela, through Dzegužkalns Hill, passing the Zunda Canal and Āgenskalns bay until reaching the Daugava River, which the route crosses via the Stone bridge and then stops at Town Hall Square.