Individual cycling tours
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The Kolka ring(Latvia, 1-2 days)The route: 65 km Distance from Rīga: the Slītere lighthouse - 170 km Best time to visit: May-October Road cover: asphalt, gravel and dirt roads Getting there: by bus, the Rīga-Roja-Mazirbe route (to Kolka or Mazirbe). By car, the Rīga-Ventspils highway (A10, E22) to the Talsi turnoff, then the Talsi ring road to the road which leads to Dundaga, then along that road to the Slītere turnoff. Look for signs to indicate the Slītere lighthouse. A brief description of the routeThe "Kolka Ring" bicycle route was established under the auspices of a project called "The Green Shoreline Region of the Livs - 21". Most of the route runs through the Slītere National Park, and visitors are always surprised by the marvellous natural appearance of this Northern Kurzeme peninsula - the shore of the Baltic Sea and the Bay of Rīga, coastline forests, the Baži swamp, as well as impressive natural formations such as the shores of what were Ice Age lakes, as well as the dunes which were left behind by the Littorine Sea. Travellers along the route can look at a number of interesting natural objects, as well as the ancient fishermen’s villages of the local population, the Livs or Livonians. |
Points of interestAt Kolka: There is an ancient fishing village, as well as Cape Kolka - the farthest North you can get in Kurzeme. The cape is perhaps Latvia’s most distinct borderline feature, and during storms, it is awash with huge waves. Five kilometres out there is the Kolka lighthouse on an artificial island. The waters around the cape are a graveyard for many, many ships.The Evaži coastline path: The path is around half a kilometre in length, and it is on the steep shore of the Bay of Rīga. The Rīgzemju oak tree: One of the thickest and most picturesque oak trees in Latvia. The Slītere lighthouse: This is the second oldest one in Latvia. Built in 1849, it offers a lovely view of the forests of the Slītere National Park and, on clear days, of Estonia’s Saaremaa Island. The lighthouse now houses a visitor centre and an exhibition which focuses on lighthouses along Latvia’s coastline. At Mazirbe: Points of interest in town include the Mazirbe Lutheran Church, the "stones of the Black Death", the cultural building of the Livs, an ancient boat cemetery, and a beautiful white sand beach. The entire area is under protection and is known as the “Liv Shore”. The aim is to preserve the Liv culture and the villages of this now tiny population - Sīkrags, Košrags, Pitrags, Saunags and Vaide. The Vaide horn museum: Located in the "Purvziedi" homestead, this is an exhibition of horns from bucks, moose and other horned animals, collected by Edgars Hausmanis. There are more than 500 items on exhibit. The infrastructureDining: The "Jūras sapņi" café at Vīdāles iela 2 in Dundaga; The "Kalēji" guesthouse in Mazirbe; The "Zītari" café in KolkaAccommodations: 129, 145, 159, 239, 250, 255, 249 Please see more photos from this route here.
Information & booking - tel: +371 67617600, e-mail: lauku@celotajs.lv
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