Other natural areas

The Ziemupe nature restricted territory is on the shore of the Baltic Sea, and it protects a wide variety of coastline biotopes. The distinguished grey dunes are found here, as are various kinds of forest biotopes, some of them quite rare in Latvia. There are many protected plants and animals in the area, too. The Akmensrags lighthouse and several tourist accommodations, like camping Laikas who "Sējējs" award, are in the territory. On the sea shore not far from center of Ziemupe there is well-appointed parking area with information stands.

This is a lovely place in Sigulda which has been painted (as the word "gleznotāji", which means "painters" suggests) and photographed for centuries. This is basically not a hill at all, it's just the place where the shore of the ancient Gauja River valley is split by the mighty Vējupīte ravine. You will have an excellent view of the Turaida Castle and the river valley. There are leisure facilities and a viewing platform there. You can ride to Paradīze hill via an electric car.

The Bauska Nature Park runs for several dozen kilometres along the Lielupe River and its tributaries – the Mūsa and the Mēmele. This is a protected territory. The shores of these rivers contain some of the largest dolomite cliffs in Zemgale. These are protected both as biotopes and as geological monuments. The rivers are important places for river lampreys and vimbas to spawn. Tourists will be attracted by the cultural landscape of the area, as well as the cultural monuments such as the Bauska castle, the Jumpravmuiža park, the Mežotne castle hill, Vīna Hill, the Mežotne castle, etc. The rivers are used for water tourism.

The Slītere National Park (established in 2000) is known, with good reason, as an open-air museum which shows the historical development of the Baltic Sea. Nowadays evidence of geological events is seen in the Blue Hills of Slītere, which stand 20 to 30 metres high above what was the shore of the Baltic lake of ice 10,000 years ago. The Stiebri hills were former 8,000 or 9,000 years ago, while the Littorina Sea formed Europe’s largest set of dune ramparts and damp hollows between those ramparts. This occurred between 4,000 and 7,000 years ago. The gentle climate of Northern Kurzeme is the reason why so many rare plants are found in the park – some 860 in all including Common Yew (Taxus baccata) and Baltic Ivy (Hedera helix var. baltica). Of certain value in the preservation of these treasures was the Soviet military machine, which has left behind army bases and other military objects in the area. The presence of the military meant that the area of what is now the Slītere National Park remained largely undisturbed for 50 years. The park includes one of the most popular tourist destinations in Latvia – the Cape of Kolka, which is visited by more than 50,000 travellers each year. During the spring migration of birds, more than 60,000 birds cross the cape each hour. Along the shore of the Baltic Sea is the so-called Livonian coast, which stretches from Kolka to Sīkrags and Ovīši. Fishing villages and other cultural objects established by the world’s smallest ethnic minority, the Livonians, can be found here. Tourists will enjoy interesting four nature trails, bicycling routes, viewing tower, etc. The visitors centre is located at the Slītere lighthouse. Administration of National park is organising environmental education events on regular basis open to everyone.

This lovely territory includes the hillocks of Embūte, which are in the ancient Embūte valley. The aim of establishing the park was to protect the landscape, biotopes and species of the region. An ecological tourism trail has been established in the valley, as has a forest trail through the nature park (accessibly only in the company of a guide). Visitors will learn about the hillocks and ravines left behind by the Ice Age. The ravines and the forests along their sides are protected biotopes. There are also important natural and cultural monuments, including the Embūte castle hill and the ruins of a baronial estate, castle and church. Other points of interest include the death place of the Courlandian warrior Indulis, the Joda dam, meadows, a viewing tower, etc. Three unmarked bicycle trails are in the area.

The Vilce Nature Park is small in size and exists alongside the deep valleys of the Vilce River and its tributaries. Biotopes include visible sandstone cliffs, rapids on the rivers, forests typical of such areas, and the plants and animals that are found therein. The well-appointed Vilce castle hill is next to the Zaķu meadow, which is a nicely appointed and popular place for recreation.

This is Latvia’s oldest nature reserve and, indeed, the country’s oldest protected natural territory. Moricsala is an island in Lake Usma, which is the fifth largest lake in Latvia. The reserve was established in 1912 at the initiative of a group of nature students from Rīga. They wished to protect the deciduous forest of oak trees on the island, along with the local flora and fauna. The nature reserve also includes the Lielalksnīte island. Visits to the reserve, however, are strictly prohibited.

Latvia’s newest national park (2007) is in the “land of the blue lakes” – the region of Latgale. One of the goals of establishing a national park was to preserve the natural treasures of the region. Lake Rāzna, which is the second largest in Latvia, is there, as is Lake Ežezers, which has more island than any other lake in Latvia. There are other bodies of water, as well as typical landscapes of hillocks and a unique cultural environment. One of the most popular destinations in the park is Mākoņkalns Hill, which offers a lovely view of Lake Rāzna. Administrators of the newly established park are working on the tourist infrastructure – trails, routes, etc. Perhaps visitors would be advised to postpone their trip to the Rāzna National Park for awhile.

Dabas liegums ietver ezera austrumdaļu ar Lāņupes ietekas rajonu un ezera ZA un DA daļai pieguļošās krastu teritorijas. Tas veidots ezera apkārtnē esošo palieņu pļavu un putnu aizsardzībai. Lai apskatītu dabas liegumu, nav jādodas tā teritorijā! To var lieliski izdarīt piestājot Vecpils – Rāvas – Aisteres ceļa malā, no kura paveras plaša ainava uz ezeru ar Grobiņas vēja ģeneratoru parka baltajiem rotoriem fonā. Ezera krasta nogāzes, kas neatrodas dabas lieguma teritorijā ir vieta, no kuras vislabāk pārskatāma teritorija potenciālajiem putnu vērotājiem. Dienvidos no lieguma atrodas Durbe – pēc iedzīvotāju skaita Latvijas mazākā pilsēta.

Salīdzinoši liela teritorija dienvidos starp Irbes un Stendes upi, kas unikāla ar mazskartajiem mežu masīviem, kāpu veidojumiem, Irbes vecupju sistēmu un iegareno, piekrastei paralēli izvietoto Dižpurvu. Irbe pēdējo gadu laikā ir kļuvusi par samērā populāru ūdenstūrisma galamērķi, taču tās krastos, diemžēl vēl aizvien ir nepietiekama ar tūrismu saistītā infrastruktūra. Tā kā liegumu caurauž blīvs meža ceļu tīkls, tā ir potenciāla vieta dažādām dabas un izziņas tūrisma aktivitātēm.

Atrodas nepilnus 2 km austrumos no Aglonas, Aglonas – Dagdas ceļa malā. Tā ieceres autors ir Ēriks Delpers, kurš 2006. g. uzsāka vietas labiekārtošanu, izveidojot brīvdabas skulptūru dārzu un stādījumus. Kristus Karaļa kalns šobrīd atrodas izveides procesā, taču neskatoties uz to – objekts, ko ir vērts redzēt!

Latvijai neparastais meža tips – grīnis (ir divi grīņu tipi – viršu un zāļu grīnis), kas radies ilgstošā dabas un cilvēka mijiedarbības rezultātā, sastopams tikai dažviet Latvijas Baltijas jūras piekrastē un šeit augošā retā augu suga – grīņu sārtene (u.c. retas sugas) bija galvenie iemesli, kādēļ 1936. g. tika izveidots Grīņu dabas rezervāts. Rezervātu ziemeļu – dienvidu virzienā šķērso bijušā Ventspils – Liepājas dzelzceļa līnija. Rezervāta apmeklējums ir aizliegts!

The Teiči Nature Reserve was established in 1982 and is one of the largest areas of moss swamps in the Baltic region. It consists of the Teiči and the Pelečāre swamps, with a variety of plants and animals, as well as adjacent territories which are under protection. The Teiči swamp is the largest nesting ground for a number of bird species, including the common crane, the whimbrel, the golden plover and the wood sandpiper. During migratory seasons, thousands of geese of various kinds are found in the area. The reserve can be toured only in the company of a guide from reserve headquarters, and one must apply in advance for such a tour. Visitors will see the pathway of footbridges on Lake Silda, as well as Siksala island, which offers a magnificent view of Latvian swampland from a viewing tower.

The Tērvete Nature Park is located in an area which is not particularly typical of the Zemgale region – the distinct Tērvete River valley. Along its banks there are vast forests which have been nicely adapted to leisure activities. There are natural treasures, as well as an outstanding cultural and historical heritage in the area. The Tērvete Nature Park is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Zemgale. People are interested in the Park of Old Pines, the lovely pine forest, the Sprīdīši arboretum, the Tērvete, Klosterkalns and Svētkalns castle hills, the memorial museum “Sprīdīši” which commemorates the great Latvian author Anna Brigadere, various attractions for children, lovely landscapes, a dense network of pathways, etc. The nature park was nominated as the most family-friendly location in Latvia in 2004.

The Amata is one of Latvia's swiftest river, and water tourists congregate there each spring to engage in extreme activities. From the Rīga-Veclaicene highway, the Amata flows into a deep valley, with an average drop of more than 3 m/km or, downriver, as much as 8-10 m/km. Water tourists usually use the segment of the river between Melturi and the Zvārte cliff or the Veclauči bridge that spans the Līgatne-Kārļi road. Please remember that the Amata is not a friendly river for beginners. After lengthy rainfall, the river can be navigable during other times of the year, as well. The surrounding valley is attractive because of impressive sandstone and dolomite cliffs, among which the best known are the Vizuļi cliff (which can be the site of beautiful frozen waterfalls in winter), the Ainavu cliff, the Ķaubju cliff, the Dzilna cliff, the Zvārte cliff, and the Lustūzis cliff. Between Melturi and Veclauči, there is the Amata geological trail, which is marked with orange paint on tree trunks. There are three segments to the trail – from Melturi to the Kārļi fish farm, from the fish farm to the Zvārte cliff (both segments can be extreme!), and from the Zvārte cliff to the Veclauči bridge. You can hike the trail at any time except when there is deep snow. The most impressive views will be found when the trees are bare. If you boat down the river, you will not have time to look at or photograph the cliffs, because all of your attention will be focused on the river itself and the obstacles therein.

This is a shallow lagoon-type lake which, along with the area around it, is a wetland of international importance. The presence of 271 species of birds has been found in the area, including 43 birds which are listed in the Latvian Red Book and 15 that are listed in the European Red Book. The nature park includes the Nida swamp and the part of the sea which is alongside the park - newly estabilshed sea protected area "Nida - Pērkone". Between Lake Pape and the Baltic Sea we find Latvia’s oldest bird ringing station, where rings are attached not only to birds, but also to bats. Lake Pape is the first territory in Latvia where livestock adapted to life in the wild have been released for the proper management of the lake’s flood-land meadows. First there were wild horses (“Konik” horses), then aurochs and the European bison. Visitors can use bird and nature observation towers, nature trails, etc. The Ķoņi village is a unique example of a seaside fishing village. Pape is popular among bird-watchers, and the park’s visitors centre is found in the “Nature House” of the Worldwide Fund for Nature.

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.

Viens no lielākajiem cilvēka veidotajiem Latvijasparkiem (70 ha), kas izstiepies no Liepājas ostas līdz Dienvidu fortam > 3 km garumā. Tā izveidi uzsāka jau 1870. g. pēc pilsētas mēra K. Ūliha iniciatīvas, uzbūvējot kūrmāju un strūklaku. 19. - 20. gs. mijā ap Dzintaru un Liepu ielām parādījās greznu villu un savrupmāju apbūve. Viena no skaistākajām ir jūgendstilā celtā savrupmāja Liepu ielā 27, kurā atrodas Krievijas ģenerālkonsultāts. Ēkai ir slēgta uzeja, balkoni, pildrežģa konstrukcijas un kārniņu jumts (arhitekti G. Jenike un P. M. Berči). Jūrmalas parks visās sezonās ir iecienīta pastaigu un dažādu aktivitāšu norises vieta. Te meklējams stadions „Daugava”, tenisa korti, koncertestrāde “Pūt, vējiņi!”, vasaras kafejnīcas, minigolfa laukums, bērnu rotaļu laukums, skeitparks. Šeit meklējamas lielākās Latvijas bungas – vides dizaina objekts.