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Periodically flooded flood-land meadows on the eastern and southern shores of Lake Burtnieks are an important nesting location for the rarely seen corncrake. A nature and information trail has been established at Vīsrags with directions, information stands and a viewing tower.
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Natural flood-land meadows along the banks of the Lielupe before Jelgava. Many protected plants are found here, and birds nest and rest here during migration season.
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The nature reserve “Plieņciema kāpa” is founded in 1987 and covers 60.6 hectares of land. Since 2005 it is a Natura2000 site. The nature reserve protects a 150-200m wide and 3.5km long part of a distinct, continuous dune rampart. The dunes shelter Plieņciems village protecting from sea winds. The key natural values here are rare and protected biotopes of national and European significance: “Wooded dunes of the coast 2180” in the area of 61.8 ha, “Fixed dunes with herbaceous vegetation, 2130 (grey dunes)” in the area of 8.27 ha, “Shifting dunes along the shoreline with Ammophila arenaria (white dunes) 2120 in the area of 3.20 ha”, “Black alder swamp forests 9080”, ) in the area of 2,68 ha, as well as rare and protected species of Latvian and European significance including eastern pasqueflower (pulsatilla patens), Rolling Hen-and-chicks(Jovibarba sobolifera), Nothorhina muricata, Wryneck (Jynx torquilla), Woodlark (Lullula arborea). In the nature reserve, there is a “Vabu square” – a deflation in the dune where for centuries local fishermen have been drying nets. In the 18th and 19th centuries ships were built here. Nine ships have been built here in 1882 - 1925. The four-masted gaff-rigged schooner with hoisting engine “Eurasia” was completed in 1925, the largest ship built by the Kurzeme fishermen. It was one of the works of Martin Morgenstern (1866-1945), a famous shipbuilding master. Thanks to dunes, Plieņciems village was a popular holiday resort and has been mentioned in written sources already in 1738. Clergymen and landlords with their families used to stay here. In 1808, a merchant from Riga bought the local pub and replaced it with a massive two-storey building with a large ball-room and dining hall. On July 15, 1810, a sea bathing facility was opened for health treatment. For arrival of the empress Elisabeth Alexeievna, the wife of emperor Alexander I of Russia, who was a grandson of Catherine the Great, the road from Tukums town was repaired, the two highest hills were levelled, a road passage was dug across the Plieņciems dune, and a lime-tree alley was planted to facilitate access to the beach and bathing spot. Later, in 1920ies, the resort circles consisted mainly of the Kurzeme region landlords. There was a dance-floor in the park of Plieņciems village, and a special orchestra played music for resort guests three times a day. |
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This is Latvia’s largest lake island and is found in the middle of Lake Usma. The island is restricted to protect old stands of pine, as well as various plants and birds. |
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The Lake Lubāns depressions which are alongside the lake’s western and south-western parts feature little-changed forests and swamps, where many rare and protected birds nest. Many uncommon and protected habitats are in the region.
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Peat moss has been extracted from the Seda heath since the middle of the last century, but it is nevertheless one of the most important NATURA 2000 territories in Latvia, with a great diversity of landscapes, biotopes and biology – birds in particular. This is a good place for bird-watching during migration season, and viewing towers have been set up on the edge of the swamp for this purpose.
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The tower is locatede in the Niedrāji-Pilka swamp. Access it via the old Ainaži-Valmiera-Smiltene narrow gauge rail line, which dates back to 1912, and then take the wooden footpaths which are approximately one kilometre long. This is a high-type swamp with small lakes at the foot of the tower. It is in the ZBR. |
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Nature restricted area has been established in old and overgrowing gravel pit and where rare species in Latvia - Natterjack toad (Bufo calamita) can be found. Natterjack toad needs open sand – gravel area therefore the population of it is decreasing once gravel pit is overgrowing by bushes. The population of this amphibian is depending on the activity of people in the area. There is very little chance to find Natterjack toad just by entering the restricted area, therefore please respect this area as especially sensitive.
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Līčiem, pussalām un salām bagāts ezers ar izrobotu krasta līniju, kas savienots ar Zvejnieku un tālāk - citiem Latgales augstienes ezeriem. Ozolu un platlapju meži, kas aug uz ezera salām un pussalās ir ne tikai aizsargājami, bet arī Latvijas mērogā nozīmīgi biotopi. Tiesa, to vērtību apzināsies tikai vides speciālisti. No Jašas ezera var uzsākt laivu braucienu pa vienu no Latgales ezeru "kēdēm". Ezera austrumu krastā atrodas Geļenovas parks.
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One of the rare places (see also Rucavas ivju audze) in Latvia where two rare and protected wild tree species grow - yew-tree and Baltic ivy. Territory is not marked on site with information signs or stands therefore it is hard for visitors to find. Not usable as tourism object.
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Viens no dažiem Latvijas dzidrūdens ezeriem. Apskatāms no Lubānas - Ļaudonas ceļa malas pie Visagala. Lai saudzētu šo ezeru, tajā esošos aizsargājamos biotopus un sugas, ūdenstilpē nevajadzētu peldēties lielām cilvēku masām un pieļaut cilvēka darbības produktu nonākšanu ezerā.
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The Staburags cliff of Rauna has been Latvia’s most distinct travertine cliff since the great Staburags cliff of the Daugava River sank under the waves during the construction of a hydroelectric power plant nearby. The cliff is approximately 8,000 years old and is still being formed as lime settles on moss and other plants. The Staburags cliff of Rauna is cited as the only location in Latvia of the Alpine butterwort, but it has not been seen there for the last 15 years. That is probably because of the many people who tramp across the cliff each year. The streams which deliver lime to the cliff are a biotope that is of priority at the EU level.
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The trail informs visitors about one of the loveliest natural habitats in
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This is the only viewing platform of its kind. It is north of Pāvilosta, between the sea and Latvia’s largest gray dune. The second level of the platform offers a good view of the habitats which surround the dune, as well as the seashore and the largest seashore rock on the shores of the Baltic Sea – the Pāvilosta sea rock. You can also see the northern part of Pāvilosta. When it is windy outside, you’ll see kiteboard riders showing their tricks.
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A diverse stand of forest that is bisected by the Vidzeme highway and the Rīga-Lugaži railroad line. This is a place where the largest endangered bird in the world – the European roller – can be found. Between one-quarter and one-fifth of the Latvian population of the crow is found here. This, too, is one of the last nesting places for the green woodpecker.
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One of the most distinct sub-glacial depressions in Latvia, with 11 lakes of various sizes and depths. This is a magnificently lovely territory, with particularly good views from the Drusku castle hill. On a clear day, one can even see the Hanja highlands of Estonia. The restricted territory was set up to protect boreal and hillside forests I the area.
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This is a diverse territory in terms of biotopes and landscapes, and the restricted area was established to protect nesting and migrating birds in the area. One part of the swamp has a cranberry farm – one of the first artificially established farms of its type in Latvia.
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This restricted area was established to protect a high-type swamp, a swampy forest and a series of rare birds. The Niedrāji-Pilka swamp can be crossed with dry feet while enjoying almost virginal nature. This is possible on the narrow-gauge railroad embankment which runs through the swamp for three to four kilometres from the North-east to the South-west, or on the well-appointed circular wood pathway which is on the eastern size of the embankment.
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The restricted area protects the seashore meadows of the Lielupe River estuary, which are a very uncommon habitat in Latvia. The restricted area is on the left bank of the river, where one of the largest areas of wild swamp angelica is found. This is an important nesting area for birds. The territory is not improved for tourism, and it should be viewed from the Baltā (White) dune that is on the opposite bank of the Lielupe River. From there, the visitor will see a lovely landscape featuring the river estuary and the meadows which are around it.
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This is a segment of the Gauja River which is full of rapids in some places. It stretches from Vidaga and the place where the Vecpalsa River flows into the Gauja. Along the Gauja and its tributaries, dolomite outcrops can be seen on the shores, and the largest of these are the Randati cliffs. The restricted area was established mostly to protect various kinds of forests, meadows, outcrops and their habitats. This is an interesting part of the central section of the Gauja for people who enjoy beautiful landscapes and for those who are water tourists.
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