One of the riches of Latvia is the long coast - in total it is about 500 kilometers long. In addition, we are lucky, and within the framework of the country we can see not only the Gulf of Riga, but also the untamed coast of the Baltic Sea. Find out where to go to get strength from the sea this winter!
The diversity of the Mērsrags seashore
Mērsrags is located near Talsi, 92 kilometers from Riga and 25 kilometers south of Roja. Mērsrags beach can show diversity; part of the beach is covered with stones that resemble Vidzeme's rocky seashore, while on the northern side of Mērsraga promontory there is a beautiful sandy beach. Considering its diversity, Mērsrags will be an interesting place for a walk, where you can also observe various birds.
Ēvaži nature trail and steep bank
Driving along the Riga - Kolka highway, at the very border of the Slītere National Park, you can see one of the rare cliffs of the Gulf of Riga, the height of which reaches 8 to 15 meters. Although the nature trail is short, only about 500 meters, it is possible to continue the walk along the seashore. At the end of the trail is a viewing platform and stairs to Liedag, while from the top of the precipice there is a magnificent sea panorama. You can go down the stairs to the beach, which disappears in the waves during storms. It is interesting that the beach sand here is almost always wet because the waters of the Bažu swamp flow into the sea right here.
Jūrtaka for fans of long hikes
The diversity of the Latvian sea coast can be seen in all its glory in the recently created Jūrtaka. Jūrtaka is part of the European long-distance hiking route E9. The E9 route starts at Sv. Cape Vincent in Portugal and ends at Narva in Estonia at the mouth of Narva in the Gulf of Finland. However, the trail is divided into several shorter sections (approximately 20 kilometers long), which can be completed in one day. Jūrtaka offers various routes, summarizing the most valuable sights of each stage and various practical tips - all you have to do is choose which stage will be the right one! You can find more information about Jurtak on this website.
In the sand of the beach, about 60 kilometers from Riga, behind Saulkrasti, there is the Lauči stone - a sea stone more than 2 meters high and weighing about 70 tons. It is also called the “King of Stones”. It was washed out of the sea in 1853, and currently, it has the status of a protected natural object of national importance. A walk along the rocky coast of the Vidzeme sea, ending at the Lauči stone, will be like a breath of fresh air, allowing you to enjoy the majesty of nature!
In particularly cold weather, when the temperature bar has been below the "0" mark for a long time, it is worth visiting Pāvilosta, where the sea tends to create interesting ice sculptures on the piers of Pāvilosta. During high winds, the piers are washed by sea and river water, which freezes on rocks and lighthouses, creating special sculptures. However, it should be considered that the piers will also be icy in such weather, so be careful not to slip. The South pier is relatively flat; although frozen, it is safer than the North pier, which is relatively steep and has a risk of slipping and falling into the water - the river or the sea. While in Pāvilosta, it is worth seeing the Great Stone of Pāvilosta. It is located towards the north of the pier and is the largest sea stone on the Kurzeme coast of the Baltic Sea. It should be noted that during the Soviet era, this stone was a boundary marker, and people along the seashore were not allowed to go beyond it.
Lāčupīte arboretum and nature trail
Recently, the Lāčupīte nature trail, which leads through the Lāčupīte arboretum and the interesting "fairy tale house" to the sea coast, has gained popularity. Although this place is mainly famous for the beautiful and diverse rhododendrons that can be seen in spring and summer, it is also beautiful here in winter, as you can also see various unseen species of conifers. The total length of the nature trail is about a kilometer, and in this place a simple wooden footbridge also leads to the sea - the coast is very beautiful, covered with fine, white sand.
Bernāti and the highest dune in Latvia - Pūsēni hill
Bernāti is the westernmost point of Latvia, and this place is also special because it is here that the highest dune in Latvia is located - Pūsēni hill, which is located in the Bernāti nature park.
