This tour of the Forest Trail covers the national parks of Dzūkija and Žemaitija and the Nemunas Loops Regional Park in Lithuania. The starting point of the route is Druskininkai, a popular SPA and mineral water resort on the banks of the river Nemunas. Here, we recommend dipping yourself in mineral water baths, enjoying the trip with the cable car over the river Nemunas, visiting the musical fountain, and walking along the river promenade. For the next two days from Druskininkai, the Forest Trail passes through the Dzūkija National Park to the town of Merkinė. In this most forested and unpopulated region in Lithuania you can enjoy hiking along solitary forest roads, visit ancient mounds and ethnographic villages, where the traditions of bee-keeping, crafts, mushrooms and berry harvesting are still kept alive. You will then head to Birštonas, one of the key resorts in Lithuania with its valuable mineral waters. The town finds itself in the Nemunas Loops Regional Park, which includes four large and one smaller loops of the river. The Forest Trail stretches from Birštonas through the entire Nemunas Loops Regional Park up till the town of Prienai. Next, hikers will get to Kaunas, the second largest city in Lithuania and its former capital city. Kaunas is notable for its modernist architecture. The catchment area of the river Nemunas and the river Neris is situated here. Heading on, from Lampėdžiai to Vilkija, the Forest Trail runs for two days along trails and small countryside gravel roads next to the right bank of the river Nemunas, also crossing resort territory of Kulautuva. This section is characteristic of beautiful riverscapes, waterfront meadows and small villages. For the final section, first you must get to the Žemaitija National Park, where the Forest Trail runs around the Lake Plateliai, which is the largest lake in the historic Samogitian region. Old pine and fir forests and mixed forests are among the most precious natural values of
the park. A transfer will take you to Plungė, and from there a train will take you to Vilnius or Kaunas.

The “Pilsbergu krogs” guesthouse and café is 300 metres from the steep shores of Jūrkalne. It is in an historical building that has been restored. The Restaurant is open for the whole year. Foods from European cuisine as well as local dishes like local fish are served. Catering for tourist groups, banquet hall for up to 30 persons, restaurant hall for 25 persons and summer terrace for 30 persons.

Bioloģiskā lopkopība. Saimniecībā audzē dažādus dzīvniekus – Galoveju šķirnes liellopus, Merino aitas,  kazas, muflonus, dažādus mājputnus un sliekas, kur katram dzīvniekam ir sava svarīga loma. Piedāvā dzīvnieku apskati un ieskatu bioloģiskajā saimniekošanā, atpūtu pie dabas.

Piemājas saimniecība nodarbojas ar augļkopību un biškopību!

The idea of the centre is to strengthen health by using clean food, so here you can enjoy delicious meals from slightly processed, vitamin-rich foods. The centre mainly uses fresh products from the garden of the centre and local farms. The specially developed menu plans consist of delicious vegetable soups and stews, as well as various porridges. Healing cures include not only certain meals, but also treatments and workouts that must be ordered in advance.

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. 

Atrodas Valmieras – Ainažu autoceļa (P 16) malā starp Matīšiem un Aloju. Iekārtota vecajā un atjaunotajā dzirnavu ēkā. Nedēļas nogalēs piedāvā izklaides pasākumus, klāj galdus un īrē telpas svinībām.
Latviešu virtuve: Aukstā, frikadeļu, skābeņu, pupiņu, šķelto zirņu un skābu kāpostu zupas, Valmieras salāti, rosols, mājas kotletes, aknu strogonovs, pelēkie zirņi ar speķi, cepta menca, siļķe krējuma mērcē, mednieku desiņas, maizes zupa, rupjmaizes krems.

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.

This route invites you to visit the Kurzeme region and try the traditional dishes there. The tour starts from Riga and takes you to some beautiful nature areas for a walk that will serve as physical exercise to build up an appetite. You will feast on traditional smoked fish at Dieniņas Fishermen's Yard, take a masterclass in  baking “sklandrausis”, a traditional carrot pie, visit fishing villages in Slītere National Park, and savour refined meals in Ventspils city pubs. Nice attractions en route are the steep coast of the Baltic Sea in Jūrkalne and the medieval town of Kuldīga. In a 19th century watermill, which nowadays is an organic farm, the hostess will give you a masterclass in cooking regional dishes from fallow deer, trout, vegetables and fruit. The last stop on the return back to Riga is the Chocolate Museum at Pūre.

The restaurant is in Lielā Street in the centre of Talsi, offering food from the cookbooks of grannies and the global cuisine, as well as an extensive wine list. The restaurant works with local farmers.

Latvian cuisine: Sauerkraut soup with roast breast of pork, wild mushroom and grit soup, herring with cottage cheese, porridge, sautéed roast with sauerkraut, roast lamb, cottage cheese buns, Latvian beers.