Selected objects

The trail tells about grey dunes which have survived thanks to the border restrictions and the presence of military. The trail starts from the parking place at the mouth of the Užava river. It is one of the few natural rivermouths in Europe. One can also see the „tacis”, an industrial installation for lamprey (Lampetra fluviatilis) fishing during their spawning migration period. The 3km long trail is circular. It winds for 1.5km from the Užava rivermouth to the North, along the coastline (the beach is covered with sand and pebbles), and returns to the starting point by a gravel road through grey dunes. Along the trail, one can observe a distinct white dune with rare plant species Linaria loeselii, Lathyrus maritimus, Anthyllis arenaria, Tragopogon heterospermus. About 1km from the rivermouth, in the sea, one can see a wrack of a sailing ship (parts of frame). The visibility depends on the flow of sand in the sea. The way back opens a beautiful view of the range of grey dunes. Unfortunately, Scots Pine starts taking over the area. There are three important biotopes of EU significance: „Fixed dunes with herbaceous vegetation 2130”, „Decalcified fixed dunes with Empetrum nigrum 2140” and „Dunes with Salix arenaria 2170”, forming a unique mosaic. Typical species here: mountain Alison ‘(Alyssum gmelinii), Pasqueflower (Pulsatilla pratensis), Sand Pink (Dianthus arenarius), Rosemary Leaved Willow (Salix rosmarinifolia), Dark Red Helleborine (Epipactis atrorubens), Kinnikinnick (Arctostaphylus uva-ursi).

As a former military site, some military constructions can be seen here like horseshoe-shaped sand ramparts by the road in gray dunes. They were built to disguise military vehicles in case of sea attack. By the Kangroti graveyard, towards the Užava river, there is an underground pillbox. It is a one-man fortification to fire along the coastal perimeter.

The Mouth of River Užava walking route is in the nature reserve „Užava”

Taka ved gar Vaidavas krastu, kur iespējams veldzēties dabas skaistumā, kāds vērojams tikai šeit. Starp Apes vidusskolu un kapsētu Vaidavas upes kreisajā krastā ir izveidojušies 8 - 10 m augsti, līdz pat 100 m gari smilšakmens atsegumi - Raganu klintis. To lejasdaļā upes straume izskalojusi nelielas nišas. Pie klintīm pāri upei izveidots gajēju tiltiņš uz otru krastu, no kura klintis paveras visā savā krāšņumā. Te ir teikām un nostāstiem apvīti avoti un alas. Avots ar skaidru ūdeni iztek no vietas, kur Vaidavas upes smilšu klints krasts ir augsts un stāvs. Senāk vietējie ticējuši, ka tas ir veselības avots, jo daudzi to lietojuši dažādām acu slimībām.Dīvainos dabas objektus – Vilkaču priedi un Dvīņu priedes, Raganu slotu, “raganu apļus”, “raganu kaulus” u.c. te var apskatīt un vides gida vadībā mēģināt izprast to veidošanos

One of the few places in Latvia where there are so many well-organised pathways. The region is known for castle hills, the location where the great Latvian author Anna Brigadere (1861-1933) lived and worked, the storybook character figures that are scattered around that area, a great forest, an arboretum, a museum of history, a viewing tower, landscapes, etc. This has been recognised as the most family-friendly place in the country.

Folkloras taka "Jāņkalni" iepazīstina ar mūsu senču rakstiem, zīmēm un dievībām, kas ir mūsu folkloras mantojums. Folkloras takas (garums: apm. 1,5 km vai 2 stundas) mērķis ir arī iepazīstināšana ar senlatviešu ieražām, folkloru, kā arī tautu dainu izprašana. Piedāvā iziet Latvijas karti - labirintu ar 19 etnogrāfiskajiem novadiem. Gids Jums sniegs izsmeļošu stāstījumu un atbildes uz interesējošiem jautājumiem.

Because this circular trail is in a nature zone, it may only be traversed in the company of a guide from the Slītere Nature Park. A steep stairway that has been installed along the ancient shores of what was once a Baltic lake of ice will lead the visitor to a completely different world, one with fallen trees, broadleaf forests, an area in which underground streams create aboveground wetlands, a limy and grassy swamp (all of these are protected areas), remains of old-time reclamation ditches, and rotting fir stumps which are important in terms of the diversity of species and which have been in the region since a major windstorm in 1969. The trail is 1.2 km long and will take an hour to an hour-and-a-half to traverse. The trail begins at the Slītere lighthouse, where the SNP visitors’ centre is located (in tourist season).