Metsa matkarada - Riia ja Riaa piirkond
Riga and Pieriga
MAALILINE KONTRASTIDE PIIRKOND – TORNIDEST METSADE JA KALJUDENI
Riia vanalinn – Rāmkalni: 56 km, 1.-3. päev
Riia on ümbritsetud metsaga, sellepärast on linna keskusest võimalik vaid paari tunniga jõuda kaunite männimetsade keskele. Rada lookleb metsaste rannikuluidete vahel, Gauja (Koiva) jõe ääres ja mööda ajaloolist postiteed, mida kasutati naaberriiki rändamiseks juba muistsetel aegadel. Suve algul õitseb heinamaadel rikkalikult tõrvalilli.
Vaatamisväärsed kohad: Riia vanalinn – UNESCO maailmapärand, Vabadussammas ja Läti Rahvusooper, Riia Keskturg – ajaloolised õhusõidukite ehk tsepeliinide angaarid, Vērmane aia kultuuri- ja looduspärand, Tērbata tänava juugendstiil, Läti Etnograafiline Vabaõhumuuseum, Baltezersi järve pumbajaam – tööstuspärand, Anna Ludiņa Kunstnike aed, Inčukalnsi jahiloss, Inčukalnsi Kuradikoobas.
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.
Section 2. Baltezers - Vangaži.
The historic Tērbata road along the banks of Gauja River and lakes
The Forest Trail crosses the VIA Baltica motorway via a tunnel and goes on through a private housing along the Lake Mazais Baltezers. Then it turns east, following the Gauja-Baltezers Canal. In the Garkalne–Āņi section, beautiful meadows stretch on both sides of the Forest Trail, drowning in heaps of blossoming red catchflies, white daisies and yellow buttercups during the summer. Since days of old, medieval roads have ran along the banks of Gauja River, and travellers used the ferry crossing at Iļķene to get across. Beyond Āņi, the Forest Trail passes through forested areas and a populated country area, and finally reaches Vangaži via Gaujas street.
Section 3. Vangaži - Rāmkalni.
Along Inčukalns hunting palace towards Gauja National Park
After leaving Vangaži, the Forest Trail leads through smaller paths, reaching Vangaži Lutheran Church and the Werewolf Pine. On its way to the Hunting Palace, it goes along the so-called Katrīna Road, disappears into the forest for a while and after the Hunting Castle continues along the Hunting trail. The first side ravines with pronounced relief of the ancient Gauja valley can be seen here. One of them is located by Inčukalns Velnala (Devil’s) Cave, surrounded by small river channels of old Gauja. From there, the Forest Trail continues through meadows and crosses the Murjāņi–Valmiera motorway, where the recreation park “Rāmkalni” is located.