This is Latvia’s first major hydroelectric power plant, and construction along the right bank of the Daugava began in 1936.  The plant was designed by the architect Eižens Laube.  The first hydro-aggregate (17 MW of capacity as the largest plant in Latvia) was switched on in 1939.  A second round of construction occurred between 1976 until 1979, the result being a new building on the left bank of the Daugava, increasing the capacity of the plant to 260 MW.  Another round of reconstruction occurred between 1998 and 2001 on the left bank of the Daugava (the HES-2 plant).  The Energy Museum is now there.

Salos, Vaišnoriškė, Strazdai, Šuminai sind die bewohnten Dörfe im Augštaitija- Nationalpark, in denen historische Einzelgehöfte mit Holzgebäuden erhalten sind.

The Sunset trail starts in the centre of Saulkrasti town and takes you to the White Dune. Saulkrasti town with its municipal rural territory, occupies a 17km long stretch of coastal land to the North from the river Lilaste and the lake Lilaste.

The White Dune stands on the right side of river Inčupe mouth. It is covered by old pine forest. The white, 18m high sand outcrop in olden times served as a landmark for fishermen. The White Dune formed as winds carried the sand from the beach over clay sediments of the Baltic Ice Lake. Some 150-200 years ago, the dune had been drifting as witnessed by several layers of soil buried within it. Local fishermen and farmers at Bātciems initiated afforestation of the drifting dunes. At that time, the 30m high dunes which are now covered with forest, were bare, shifting and even buried a farmstead. To speed up afforestation, mountain pines were planted. The White Dune was partly washed away in heavy storm in 1969, and 4-6m high precipice formed. Now the wind and sand have levelled out the dune surface, it has been fixed with willow-twigs or grown with forest where the largest pines are more than 170-190 years old. The pines are notable with their large trunks and branches, the scars obtained during their lifetime and the typical “crocodile skin” – the bark forms rhombuses resembling those of the reptile’s scales. Scots Pine (Pinus Silvestris) is one of the most common tree species in Latvia. It grows in dry, meagre sandy soil in dunes as well as in marsh. However, it does not stand overshadowing. Forest fires help pines to get rid of competitors as pine endures fire better than other trees because of its thick bark and high crown. The wood exudes resin and burned wounds close soon. Fire cleans space for seedlings of young pines. Pines can live 300-350 years.

Ground cover in dune forests is very sensitive. If the sparse vegetation is destroyed, not only the natural biodiversity and landscape is damaged, but also the dangerous shifting dunes can possibly “wake up”.

Embryonic dunes, White (yellow) dunes, Grey dunes and Wooded dunes are EU protected biotopes. Grey Dunes are protected by Latvian law as well.
A wooden trail with watching platform is built to protect the White Dune and to facilitate the sightseeing. In winter, a skiing trail in the vicinity of the White Dune is arranged.

The saloon is on the seashore with a lovely view of the beach at Saulkrasti. Here different water sports and entertainment activities are organised.

Latvian cuisine: Cold soup, baked filet of cod, homemade steak haché, roast pork, pancakes with cottage cheese, caramelised oatmeal.

We strart the tour from Riga by bus and proceed along the Baltic Sea coast, passing through many different landscapes - white sandy beaches, coastal meadows, dunes with pine forests and steep banks. Many beaches are wild and completely deserted. Access to these territories were highly restricted during Soviet times. The route leads through ethnographic fishermen villages at Nida, passing Pape nature reserve where wild horses graze. The bustling city of Liepaja impreses with its lively promanade and music scene. The city also has a long military history which can cleary be seen walking among the naval fortifications and visiting the former millitary town. Well-maintained Ventspils has a pleasant market, castle and numerous parks. A restored narrow-gauge railway with working steam engine is well worth a visit as well as the Craft House - ideal for local handmade souvenirs. On the way back the tour goes through the pretty provincial town of Kuldiga with well- preserved wooden architecture. The tour includes two of the most interesting national parks: Slitere which holds the geological history of former ages and Kemeri with its great heath trail and sulphur springs.

The White Dune is one of the landmarks of Saulkrasti, on the Vidzeme gulf coast. The dune offers a splendid view of the sea, the mouth of the Inčupe River and the vast beach. The White Dune formed as the wind drove beach sand over the clay silt of Baltic Ice Lake. Its white 18 meters high sand outcrop once helped local fishermen find their way home. The dune got its name from its white, hardened layers of sand which look like sandstone.
In White Dune are set up following Nature Design objects: "Entrance gates" which symbolizes White Dune and its fragility. On the wall of this object an information about White Dune are exposed. "Frīda the Hedgehog" and "Fredis the Rabbit"- both objects invite people to be polite when visiting nature sites and not to throw rubbish on the ground as well as to be quiet in the forest. "The bug trail" which helps to understand that humans are not the only one creatures in the nature. "Listening device" which is made in the form of trumpet and helps to listen into the sounds of sea and wind. The approximately 4 kilometers long Sunset Trail winds from the White Dune to the center of Saulkrasti.