Metsa matkarada - Abava valley

The Forest Trail in Renda for a short distance circles along the rocky banks of the Īvande river and then leads to Kroju Road. At first you can see open landscapes, but later the trail continues through the forest. In some places there are views of the Abava valley. The natural landscapes are gradually changing, as the Forest Trail leaves the Pieventa plain of the Kursa Lowland and slowly rises to the Vāne descent of the Austrumkursa Upland, reaching 50–60 m above sea level. Before Valgale village, it turns around the deep ravine of the Valgale river and goes to Sabile along the upper bank of the Abava valley, and only nearby Sabile descends to Abava bridge (Lāčplēša, Kuldīgas street). In the vicinity of Sabile, the natural areas are changing again and the landscapes of the Saldus hills of the Austrumkursa Upland can be seen here. The depth of the Abava valley between Rumbciems and Sabile reaches about 40 m. The Forest Trail today and the next day crosses the nature park “Abavas senleja” (“Abava valley”).

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.