This is a segment of the shore of the Bay of Rīga that is around 40 km long and features the valleys of three major rivers – the Lielupe, Daugava and Gauja river.  There are dune formations, biotopes, seashore meadows and forested seashore dunes which are an important recreational resource.

This pile of big rocks stands around 9 m high and is some kind of monument to Krišjānis Barons and his achievements on behalf of the Latvian people.  His parents lived at the Valpene Estate, and the rocks contain engraved names of lost homesteads from the region.  Their direction in the pyramid indicates where the homesteads used to be.  The idea for the rocks came from Imants Ziedonis, and the pyramid was built by the sculptor Vilnis Titāns.

The Rēzekne castle hill is an impressive hillock (15 m) on the right bank of the Rēzekne River. From the 9^th to the 12^th century, there was a Lettigalian castle here. In 1285, the Livonian Order began to build a two-story stone castle on the site, and its ruins have survived to this very day. Alongside the castle hill is the Eastern Latvian Creative Service Centre - „Zeimuļs”, along with a tourism information centre.

Ilmārs Vecelis takes part in the “Potter School” of the Latvian Cultural Fund and, therefore, uses ancient pottery methods that have been tested over the course of many centuries in Latgale. You can tour his workshop, attend the opening of the kiln, try your own hand at the craft, and commission and purchase finished ceramics products.

This part of the Forest Trail passes through the historical centre of Valmiera. In Valmiera you can visit St. Simon’s Church, the Ruins of the Livonian Order Castle and Valmiera Museum. We also suggest walking the barefoot trail in “Sajūtu Parks” (Park of Senses). After sightseeing in Valmiera, the Forest Trail goes through Atpūtas (Recreation) park, the beautiful pine forest and Baiļi winter ski centre. Further on you will walk along the River Abuls Trail, curving along the banks of the river until reaching the Brenguļi brewery built in an old Hydroelectric power plant. You can enjoy unfiltered and unpasteurised beer here. Further down you will enter unpopulated forest areas and the Northern Gauja protected landscape area.

The forests in Northern Gauja (“Ziemeļgauja”) are very diverse. There are old or natural boreal (northern) forests and marsh forests, oak forests, alluvial forests (formed on river sediments which periodically flood) and mixed oak, wych elm and ash forests along the river. The tour will end in Strenči Town.

The Trakai Island Castle is the only East Europe's castle which is built on a little island. The process of building this castle started in 14th century. After its fall on 1410 during a war it lost its meaning as a military base and became a living place for ruler of Lithuania. Trakai Castle is one of the most popular objects in Lithuania for tourists. Inside the castle is a museum which tells about Trakai history. 

Višķi is a populated area that started as the Višķi Estate and received the status of a village in the 19th century.  An agricultural school was opened there in 1921, followed by a one-year homemaking school in 1926.  During World War II, in 1943, the Višķi Gardening and Beekeeping School was established.  After the war, the Višķi Gardening (later Agricultural) Technical School was opened.  Because of these educational activities, Višķi ir not similar to a typical countryside village.  There is a wide area of lovely plants, including a dendrological park (est. 1936) and apple orchards.  A local guide will tell you all about the park, but you can also stroll through the village individually. 

The history of Līgatne cannot be separated from the paper factory which was once the only factory of its kind in Latvia. Tours are available in the company of a guide. During the late 19^th and early 20^th century, the company built homes, a school, a birthing centre, a hospital, a club, a guesthouse and other buildings for its employees, and most of these buildings have survived to this day. There are more than 200 interesting underground passageways which are still used as warehouses for various items, including vegetables.

Latvia's first grape selector, Pauls Sukatnieks (1914-1989) lived at Apsītes.  The house has been restored and contains household and farm equipment, as well as Sukatnieks' library and office.  The garden that surrounds the house has local and introduced colourful plants and trees, including rare ones.  Visitors can look at the types of grapes that Sukatnieks developed, as well as his vineyard.  Alongside the homestead is an information stand about birdwatching in the Dviete wetlands.  You can tour the garden and house in the company of a guide.  There is space for relaxation and picnics, and the homestead organises work sessions and educational events.