On this hiking route you will see the most part of the western coast of Estonia from Pärnu to Tallinn. You will visit Estonia’s most popular resort cities: Pärnu and Haapsalu. You will pass along many bays, cape horns, fishermen’s villages and overgrown meadows. In the northern part you will walk along the spectacular Pakri cliffs, where you will see some of the most beautiful scenery in the area. There will also be sandy beaches and dolomite outcrops in places. In some rocky and wet sections you will use coastal forests and trails. During the route, you will see the Soviet military heritage in Paldiski. 

Muižas pils (no sarkaniem ķieģeļiem celta) ir meklējama ceļu krustojumā pie Gaujām – 2 km ziemeļaustrumos no Jaunpiebalgas centra, Gaujas labajā krastā. Līdz 1918. g. muižas īpašnieki bija slaveno grāfu Šeremetjevu dzimta. Muižas pili nodedzināja 1905. g. nemieros, bet vēlāk atjaunoja. Muižas pilī bijušas dažādas iestādes: slimnīca, kolhoza „Piebalga” administrācija, mūsdienās – pašvaldība un dažādu sadzīves pakalpojumu sniedzēji.

Located in the northern part of Valmiera, the Valmiermuiža Estate mansion (Neo-Baroque Style) was built between 1764 and 1771 by Prince August Friedrich of Schleswig, Holstein and Soderburg.  Over the course of time it has been owned by other people.  According to modern evidence, the mansion was a one-story building with a Baroque tower and a two-story addition in the early 20th century, which made it appropriate as a summer home and hunting lodge.  The building burned down in 1918.  Two years later, Valmiermuiža became a prison camp for captured soldiers.  Later the addition to the mansion was restored and used as an elementary school.  In 1936, the building became a prison, and it was once again a prison camp for captured soldiers during World War II.  Later the building burned down again, and the ruins were removed.  Still surviving is the Valmiermuiža tower, with ceiling paintings that are a cultural monument, as is the surrounding park.  The Valmiermuiža brewery is alongside the historical monument, thus providing second wind for the whole region.

The manor is in Basi in the Gudenieki Parish of Kuldīga District, some 20 km from the district centre.  The manor was built in the 19th century, burned down in 1905, and then restored.  A former residence for servants and an old magazine barn have survived.  The surrounding park covers 4.5 ha, and the estate is a cultural and historical monument of local importance.  The barn was fully reconstructed in 2009 and 2010 with co-financing from the European Union, and today it is the Basi Culture Centre. In 2019, there is to be an interactive exhibition about Suiti events in Gudenieki -- baptisms, weddings, funerals, etc.

The tour passes through national parks and protected nature territories of interntional importance, following the sea shore. It also stops at small charming towns, several historic sites and traditional villages. During the tour you learn not only about rare and protected plants and local traditions but also enjoy beautiful landscapes, wilderness and solitude.

At the Ķemeri National Park you will follow a fenland trail, see wild meadows and stop at a bird-watching tower beside Lake Kaņieris. Then we explore the Engure Lake Nature Park where 22 types of orchids can be found. Next day thr route heads to Slitere National Park, the former territory of the Baltic Ice Lake and Litornic Sea. You will follow the Cape Kolka pine-tree trail and Peterezers Lake trail with ancient dunes and landscape. Then head to Stiklu Bog trail, in the largest bog territory in Latvia. At Užava you will discover the largest 'grey' dune in the Baltics before following the wild banks of the River Venta and visiting the charming town of Kuldiga, with its well-preserved wooden architecture and the widest waterfall in Europe. The route follows the Abava valley created by the melting of ancient ice. At Sabile you can stop at its famous Wine Hill - location of the most northerly grown grapes from which wine is produced - and follow a botanic trail with stops at the grandest oak tree in Europe. On the way to Riga, walk 5 km long Cena Heath trail which features low, high and transit bogs and related plants.

The "Agluona" guesthouse offers coffee and dishes from Little Lithuania and Žemaitija.  Tastings are offered of locally baked bread and Little Lithuanian pierogi and waffles.

True Latgalian Apple Cider from Malnava Manor

Our Story
The cider is produced in the historic distillery of Malnava Manor, dating back to 1827. In manor times, this distillery produced the traditional Latgalian strong drink, šmakovka.

Apples
The apples for the cider are harvested in the manor’s old orchard.

Cider
They produce both dry and semi-sweet cider under the name “Malnovys Uobuļu Sidrs,” as well as apple brandy (calvados), and the traditional šmakovka.

For Visitors
Guided tours are available, where visitors can discover how true, traditional Latgalian šmakovka is crafted, along with cider made from local apples. The tours include tastings with snacks. Malnava Manor is notable for having served as the headquarters for the Wehrmacht’s Army Group North during World War II, visited by Adolf Hitler on 21 July 1941. Two reinforced concrete bunkers in the manor park mark the location of this historic meeting.

Where to Buy
The drinks can be purchased on-site.

After the death of the Kalnasikšņi oak tree, which was the mightiest tree in the Gauja National Park, the mighty Kvēpene oak tree has taken over that role. It has a circumference of 6.1 m, a height of 20 m, and a crown which measures 28 x 30 m. The beautiful tree is on the right bank of the Gauja River valley and is one of the most excellent trees in Latvia. Near it is the forested Kvēpene castle hill, as is the Svētavots stream, which is reputed to have medicinal waters. To the North of the castle hill is the Rūsiņš hillock, which offers a good view of the surrounding forests, the towers of the city of Cēsis, Ieriķi, and the Rakšupe estuary at the Gauja. There is a bench at the top of the hillock from which lovely sunsets can be seen.

Found on the right bank of the Daugava where the little Karikste river flows into the Daugava, all that remains of the castle today is a set of ruined walls and foundations.  The castle was built by the Livonian Order in 1224, and it was inhabited until the mid-17^th century, when it was sacked during the Polish-Swedish war.  The ruins offer a good view of the local gravel road that goes along the right bank of the river valley.