Mežtaka - Veclaicene
Veclaicene Forestland
SKAISTĀKĀS ZIEMEĻLATVIJAS PAUGURAIŅU AINAVAS
Trapene – Korneti: 44 km, 14.–15. diena
Mežtaka ved cauri Alūksnes augstienei. Šis ir viens no iešanai sarežģītākajiem posmiem, jo apvidus ir paugurains. Te ir daudz ledāja veidotu gravu un pauguru ar plašiem panorāmas skatiem līdz pat Igaunijai un Munameģim. Augstākie pauguri ir tūkstošiem gadu seni pilskalni, kas ar nolūku izvēlēti augstās vietās, lai laicīgi pamanītu ienaidnieka tuvošanos. Mežtaka šajā posmā met nelielu līkumu caur Paganamā (Paganamaa) jeb Velna zemi Igaunijā, kur ir skatu tornis un gleznaini mežezeri. Visskaistākās ainavas ir pavasaros, kad zied pienenes, un rudeņos, kad krāsojas koku lapas.
Spilgtākie iespaidi: Alūksnes augstienes ainavas ar pauguriem un ezeriem, Apes vēsturiskais centrs – dolomīta ēkas un bruģis, Kornetu-Peļļu subglaciālā iegultne – viena no iespaidīgākajām Latvijā, Drusku pilskalns un Dzērves kalna skatu tornis, Raganu klintis Vaidavas upes krastā.
Section 14. Trapene - Ape.
Towards Ape, where witches used to reside on the banks of Vaidava River
The first 6 kilometres of the Forest Trail lead along P44 until it turns North on the Ādams–Ape road. 4 km before the Riga–Pskov motorway (A2), the Forest Trail passes through a magnificent, dense forest, which is a popular spot for foraging berries and mushrooms in Autumn. After the Riga–Pskov highway, the Forest Trail runs through agricultural lands until it reaches the centre of Ape, one of the smallest towns in Latvia, after crossing the former Ape–Valka narrow-gauge railway line.
Section 15. Ape – Paganamaa – Korneti – Latvian/Estonian border.
Through the Korneti-Peļļi Furrow and the Paganamaa or Devil's Land
After leaving Ape, the Forest Trail winds through a hilly farmland landscape, then enters a dark forest massive, occasionally interrupted by the blue surfaces of lakes. After Peļļi, the Forest Trail moves down the same path as Peļļi trail, crosses the Latvian/Estonian border and winds along the shores of Lakes Smilšājs, Sūneklis and Ilgājs for 2 km on the Estonian side, known as Paganamaa (translation: Devil's Land). There it descends and enters the Korneti-Peļļi subglacial depression, one of the most impressive ravines in Latvia. The Forest Trail returns to Latvia at Ilgājs and, after a steep climb, takes you through a hilly area to the Drusku castle mound. The Forest Trail descends in Korneti. It is less than 3 km from the centre of Korneti to the Latvian/Estonian border. Features beautiful landscapes on the banks of Lake Lielais Baltiņš and Lake Mazais Baltiņš along the route. The section is located in the protected landscape area “Veclaicene”.