Selected objects

No	Name	Description
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	Valguma pasaules baskaju taka	The first barefoot trail created in the Baltic States in the recreation complex "Valguma pasaule", which is located on the forested shores of Lake Valguma. When walking on the path, the feet "massage" sand, wood chips, clay, peat, gravel, cones and various other materials.
	The Visraga nature trail	Located at the Lake Burtnieks southern shore, these are wetland meadows which are regularly flooded and which are important places for various birds, including the corn - crake, to nest. This is part on the environmentallyrestricted area which covers the meadows of Lake Burtnieks.
	THE VARKAVA PARK	This is a natural monument of protected dendrological plants. The park is in the Upmala Parish, covers 2.7 ha, has been protected since 2001 and is managed by the Vārkava Administrative District Council. Judging from the oldest oak trees (approximately 200 years old), the park was established in the early 19th century, with other plants from the latter part of the century. Local species of trees, including maples, elms, fir trees, aspens, oak trees, willow trees, linden trees and hazelnut trees grow in the park, as do more than 10 exotic types of trees and bushes, including various types of maple, aspen, willow, lilac and linden trees.
	Ziemelgauja	This is a territory that is unique at the Latvian and the Baltic level, one which stretches from Valmiera to the Gulbene District. Here we find the irregular Gauja River valley with a dense system of ancient rivers. The meadows on the banks of these rivers are important in terms of biological diversity. There are stands of oak and broad-leaf trees. Many rare and protected birds live and next here – the corn-crake, the woodpecker, etc. The territory is excellent for bird watching, nature studies, ecological tourism and various kinds of active tourism.
	Vecdaugava	This is a large set of coastal meadows, ancient rivers and areas of reeds. It is found at a location where the Daugava River used to flow – between Vecmīlgrāvis and Vecāķi. There are inland dune meadows here, complete with the very rare silver grass. Vecdaugava is an important location for nesting birds and several uncommon plant species. On the southern end of the Vecdaugava peninsula, at a place called Skanstnieki, one can find remnants of medieval Swedish fortifications. The Vecdaugava Regional Research and Fishing Museum is here, as well.
	Lubasts	Aizaudzis un purvains ezers - Ļūbasts, ar grūti pieejamiem vai nepieejamiem krastiem. Dabas vērošanai šobrīd nepiemērota vieta. Galvenās aizsargājamās vērtības - dažādas putnu sugas, t.sk. dzērves un melnie zīriņi.
	A viewing tower at the Southern breakwater of Ventspils	Based on the tower of a former Soviet army radar installation, there is an 18-metre viewing tower at the Southern breakwater of Ventspils (Medņu Street) today. The tower offers a good view of the port territory, with the sea gate at the mouth of the Venta River and the city beach. Binoculars are available at the tower. It is worth walking down the Southern breakwater to get a better look at the sea.
	Gaizinkalns	Gaiziņkalns Hill is the highest hill in Latvia, and it is a typical example of the hillocks of the Vidzeme highlands. This is a place of wonderful landscapes, even though there are not all that many good viewing areas. At the centre of this park is Gaiziņkalns Hill itself – the highest place in Latvia and the second highest in the Baltic States (311.6 metres above sea level). The viewing tower, alas is not open to the public, because it is in dangerous condition. There is a well-appointed hiking trail around Gaiziņkalns Hill, and during the winter the hill and its surroundings are popular for downhill and cross-country skiing. Lake Viešūrs (Lake Kaķītis) is popular among licensed fishermen. This territory is part of a region of protected landscapes around Vestiena.
	The Naujene trail	The Dinaburga trail first goes downhill, and then it quickly goes uphill to the steep shores of the Daugava river. Among a set of gullies, there is the Naujene (Vecpils) castle hill – some 25m high and the “cradle” of the city of Daugavpils. The ruins of the castle are still visible, and a unique open-air model of the old Dinaburga castle has been prepared. There is a lovely view of the Daugava river valley, and the visitor can expect to spend 20 minutes to an hour here. Objects are located in a protected area of Augšzeme landscapes and in the Curves of Daugava nature park.
	A viewing tower at Priedaine	The viewing tower was built quite recently. At its foot is a location for relaxation. It offers a good view of one of the curves of the Daugava River – the Adamova curve. A bit beyond is the Curves of Daugava Nature Park. Along the tower is the “Saulkrasti Trail” bicycle route.
	Augszeme	This territory is meant to protect the large hillocks and lakes of the Augšzeme highlands – Lake Svente, Lake Medums, Lake Ilga and others, with their islands, landscapes and species. The nature park which has been established around Lake Svente and Lake Medums is part of this territory, and there are several areas that are restricted for environmental reasons – Lake Bardinskis, Lake Skujine, and the islands of Lake Medums and Lake Svente. There is a viewing tower on Egļukalns Hill, along with downhill ski routes.
	The Purciems White Dune trail	The trail climbs up and down along the bluffs of lower River Pilsupe and reveals a fascinating sight of three white dune exposures (the largest is called the White Dune). The trail is 900m long, and the White Dune is ca 20m high. It has formed ca 6000 years ago, in the period of the Littorina Sea which is a foregoer of the Baltic Sea. Here the first Stone Age settlement on the North Western coast of Latvia has been found in 1934 by geologist S. Burhards. In the sand, some 500m from the sea, he found some pottery fragments, a sandstone hone, a piece of flint, parts of bones and an amber bead. He handed the findings over to the National Museum of History. In October 1934, the site was checked by archaeologist E. Šturms, who found the archaeological layer, typical for such settlements, in the landslides of the Pilsupe riverbanks. In 1936 he started larger excavations to continue by 1938. Totally seven, chronologically different settlements were detected and many artefacts found, including fragments of the so called Sārnate and pit-comb pottery, as well as some pieces of corded pottery. Based on these findings, the settlement is dated back to the beginning or middle of the 3rd millenary B.C., and it has been inhabited till the beginning of the 2nd millenary B.C. Especially remarkable are three clay figures in human shape which have probably been used for some religious cult purposes. Since 1993, archaeologist Ilzes Loze has discovered several pit-comb ware culture settlements in large area around Pūrciems village. They are known in research literature as „the Ģipka settlements”.
	Makonkalns (Volkenberga, Padebesi) Hill	The flat surface of this large hillock (247 m above sea level, ~60 m above the surrounding area) offers one of the most beautiful landscapes in Latgale, complete with Lake Rāzna. During the 13^th century, the Livonian Order built the Volkenberga Castle on the hillock, and it was thought to be practically impenetrable. Fragments of the castle’s walls remain visible today.
	A viewing tower on the Blue Hills	The tower is at the edge of the Dundaga-Mazirbe road, at the Šlītere Blue Hills. It offers a lovely view of lowland seashore forests, the local road, and a bit of the ancient shore of the Baltic ice sea.
	The Tervete Nature Park	This park is located along the shores of the Tērvete River Valley. It is a vast forested area which has been adapted successfully for travellers. In 2004, it was nominated as the most family - friendly destination in the land. There is a web of trails for one-day hikes. Viewing tower on the shore of the Tērvete River, views also from the Tērvete castle hill and Zviedru (Swedish) Hill.
	Zilaiskalns Hill	This is an area that is full of legend and tale. There is a stiff hillock, which stands about 66 metres above the surrounding land. From its southern side, you can see the Burtnieki lowlands. The tower, however, is not open to the public.
	The Pavasaru-Odinu polder	This is an open territory which is 3.5 km long and 2 km wide. It is located on the left bank of the Lielupe River between the village of Pavasari and the Odiņi homestead. The polder was established during the Soviet era to obtain farmland, and back then it was used very intensively. Today, it is slowly becoming overgrown, and despite this, this is one of the most important locations in Europe for corn-crakes. A gravel road crosses the polder from the North to the South, and this is an excellent place to hear the songs of the corn-crake.
	The Energetic Labyrinth and Geometric Figure Park	This park has five labyrinths with decorative plants, flowers and various kinds of medicinal plants. The longest path in the labyrinth is 1.7 km long. The total distance of the paths is 4.5 km. The park has three geometric figures -- a cupola, a mandala and a Merkabah.
	Augsdaugava	The aim of this territory is to regulate the natural and cultural landscapes of the upper reaches of the Daugava River valley, where there is a great deal of biological diversity. Nature trails have been installed in the park, as have bicycle routes. The river is good for boating in this area, too. The Curves of the Daugava nature park is part of the territory (see “Nature Parks”).
	Risas purva taka (Riisa rabarada)	Izcila lokveida taka (4,5 km), kuras lielākā daļa (koka laipas) ved pa Rīsas purvu (Riisa raba). No takas un divstāvīgā koka skatu torņa ir vērojami purva ezeriņi, lāmas, un purvaini meži. Ja nacionālā parka apskati sāk no ziemeļu puses, tad šī taka ir labs ceļojuma iesākums!