Metsa matkarada - Sobilik vaegnägijatele
Section 1. Old Riga - Baltezers.
Through Riga – UNESCO World Heritage Site
Der Baltische Wald-Wanderweg (lettisch Mežtaka) beginnt am Rathausplatz im Herzen der Rigaer Altstadt. Die ersten Kilometer verläuft der Weg entlang der Kaļķu Straße und am Freiheitsdenkmal vorbei, durch den Vērmanes-Garten und die historische Tērbatas Straße. Weiter führt die Strecke über eine Fußgängerbrücke am Zemitānu-Bahnhof und durch den städtischen Biķernieku-Wald und den Šmerļa-Wald. Der Wanderweg durchquert den Stadtbezirk Jugla, vorbei am ethnographischen Freilichtmuseum Lettlands und erreicht über Fußgänger- und Fahrradwege die Ortschaft Baltezers.
The "Feel Jugla" Walking Trail
Im nordöstlichen Teil des Jugla-Sees in Jugla wurde ein 250 Meter langer Holzsteg (einfache Strecke) mit einer Aussichtsplattform mit Blick auf den Jugla-See, einer Bank, 20 taktilen Raumreliefs mit Darstellungen charakteristischer Tierarten des Sees und seiner Umgebung sowie Informationen in Blindenschrift angelegt. Der Weg ist für Rollstuhlfahrer zugänglich. Der Standort liegt 0,5 Kilometer vom Mežtaka-Pfad entfernt.
Taktilais Brīvības piemineklis
Enthüllt an Lettlands Geburtstag – dem 18. November 2022 – im Brīvības laukums gegenüber dem von Kārlis Zāles geschaffenen und am 18. November 1935 enthüllten Original. Diese besondere Bronzeminiatur wurde vom Bildhauer Ivars Miķelsons im Maßstab 1:50 geschaffen.
Section 83. Paplatelė – Plateliai.
Around the largest lakes in the Žemaitija National Park
Die ersten 3,5 km führt der Wald-Wanderweg durch wunderschöne Wälder, die die Hänge des Hochlandes Žemaitija bedecken. Bis zum Museum des Kalten Krieges fällt er mit dem Erkenntnispfad Plokštinė zusammen. 5 km vom Museum folgt der Wald-Wanderweg der Landstraße Plokštinė, wo ein Fußgänger- / Fahrradweg angelegt wurde und bei der Annäherung zum Platelių-See in die Seesenke hinabsteigt. An der Straße Nr. 3202 (Malūno-Straße) biegt der Wald-Wanderweg links nach Südosten ab und gleich nach 0,3 km folgt eine Rechtskurve nach Süd-Südwest. Nach ca. 0,5 km erreicht er die Ilgio Ežero Straße. Die nächsten 5,5 km legt der Wald-Wanderweg einen weiten Bogen um die Seen Ilgis und Beržoras und erreicht dann das Dorf Beržoras. Nach dem Dorf verläuft der Wald-Wanderweg entlang der Plungės-Straße, erreicht nach 2 km das Stadtzentrum von Plateliai und macht entlang der Ežero-Straße einen weiteren Bogen zum Strand und zu den Erkundungspfaden von Šeirė. Weiter entlang der Straßen Ežero, Naujoji und Žemaičių Kalvarijos kehrt der Wald-Wanderweg ins Stadtzentrum zurück.
Šeire's Educational Trail
Der Weg ist etwa 7 Kilometer lang, es gibt jedoch eine Aussichtsplattform, die für Rollstuhlfahrer zugänglich ist und einen Blick auf den Plateliai-See und seine Inseln bietet. Plateliai liegt im Nationalpark Žemaitija. Auf der Informationstafel ist eine taktile Karte des Sees mit seinen Inseln angebracht, sodass auch Sehbehinderte ihn erkunden können. Der Parkplatz befindet sich hier: GPS 56.048355, 21.826901. Er liegt neben dem Mežtaka-Weg.
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.
93. päev. Kuldīga – Renda.
Venta jõe org ja Riežupe looduspark
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.
100. päev. Bigauņciems - Dubulti.
Jūrmala ajaloolises kuurordis
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.
101. päev. Dubulti - Lielupe - Bulduri.
Läti populaarseimad supelrannad
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.