The trail (the length 1.2 km) introduces with the habitats of dunes and century-old pines, partly covered with sand. Biologists estimate that the oldest tree, the “mother of pines”, could be around 200 years old. Coastal pine forests serve as a barrier between the sea and land protecting inland areas from impact of the sea and winds. Felling coastal forests was forbidden by law already back in 1643, during the Duchy of Courland. Still due to economic activities, the seashore forests were often fell and fires occurred there occasionally. As a result, the sand which had for centuries been hold by trees, started drifting at Cape Kolka. In the 1930ies, there were about 142 hectares of sandy areas in the Slītere National Park, and 11.5 hectares of those were drifting sand. To stop drifting, the sand areas were carefully afforested. Afforestation was started before WW I and it was completed in the 1970ies. To plant new trees, first the sand had to be stopped. Just 26km to the south from Kolka there was one of the largest sand dunes in Latvia, 25km in length. Every year it devoured 0.3 hectares of land. The sand was stopped covering it with heather, twigs and branches of pines and junipers. Pine trees were planted between them.

Today in Kolka, the old, low pine trees tell about the once drifting sand. After storms, when the water washes the bluff and tree roots are exposed, one can see that the tree trunks once have been covered with sand more than 1 meter high. The trees on the seacoast usually have crooked trunks and flag-shaped crowns formed under influence of persisting sea winds. Now these forests are designated biotope “Wooded dunes of the coast”.

Stable white dunes (biotope 2120) do not form in Cape Kolka as they are washed by sea waters during spring and autumn storms. Embryonic dunes develop here (code 2120) with plants that usually grow in dunes. These plants have adapted well to poor soils, heat, drought, and the saline sea water.

The Kolkasrags Pine Trail is in Slītere National Park.

After the establishment of the Livonian state, the pope consecrated this land in honour of the holy Virgin Mary.  This created Terra Mariana or Māra’s Land.  The road between Ludza, Rēzekne and Daugavpils runs along an ancient trading route that once connected Vilnius and Kaunas to Pskov and, later, to St Petersburg and Warsaw.

Very beautiful and poetically picturesque with rivers and lakes that are in Latvia’s forested land and among hillocks that offer a wonderful look at the distant horizon – that is Māra’s Land, which is also known as the Land of Blue Lakes.  Lake Rāzna is the second largest in Latvia, and when the weather is clear, Mākoņkalns Hill or Padebešu Hill is reflected in its water.  Atop the hill are the oldest ruins of fortifications in Latgale, dating back to the Livonian era.

Rēzekne is known as the heart of Latgale, because it has always been the centre for Lettigalian culture and education.  People contributed donations for the 1939 construction of a monument to Māra of Latgale.  It is dedicated to those who fell during Latvia’s independence battles and the liberation of Latgale.  The monument also speaks to the Catholic identity of Latgale.  The monument was rededicated on August 13, 1992, the date of the assumption of the Virgin Mary.  A Catholic festival at Aglona and the monument to Māra of Latgale – these are integral components of this part of Latvia.  The present day is marked out clearly by the new Gors concert hall in Rēzekne, and well as the Zeimuļš student interest education centre.

Daugavpils is Latvia’s second city and an important centre for industry, culture, education and sports.  The Daugavpils pellet factory is unique, and the oldest pellet casting tower in Europe is now open to visitors, as are the restored Daugavpils fortress and the new Rothko Museum.

Not far from Daugavpils are the small Birķeneļi semi-estate and the Rainis Museum.  Latgale was the “land of new days” for the poet, and the museum now hosts gatherings of young artists and craftspeople.  The ancient tradition of ceramic art that is typical specifically of this part of Latvia is still thriving.

The company produces butter, cream, cottage cheese, cottage cheese products, yoghurt and desserts, using high-quality milk that comes from more than 100 local farms and three co-operatives.  Technological processes are observed and improved during the manufacturing process so that the product retains its value in terms of taste and nutrition.  Tourists are welcome, and tastings are available.  This is one of five companies in Latvia that can produce “Summer Solstice” cheese as an EU guaranteed traditional product.  The company’s products also have the “Green Teaspoon” quality mark.

Baznīca šajā vietā – blakus Livonijas ordeņa pilij (nav saglabājusies) atradās jau ~ 1380. gadu. Tagad redzamais dievnams (patiesībā – atliekas) tika nopostīts pēc 2. pasaules kara un uzspridzināta 20. gs. 70. gados. Tā drupas ir iekonservētas un virs altārdaļas uzstādīts balts koka krusts. Atrodas Salaspils dienviddaļā starp Rīgas HES dambi un ūdenskrātuvi.

Operdziedātāja Jāņa Zābera muzejs "Vecais ceplis" atklāts 1973. gada 11. augustā - dziedātāja dzimšanas dienā - viņa dzimtajās mājās. Muzejā apskatāmas fotogrāfijas no viņa dzīves gājuma, afišas un operu tērpi. Tāpat pieejami dziesmu un operu āriju ieraksti mākslinieka izpildījumā.

Muzeju pārzina Jāņa Zābera brāļa meita ar ģimeni. To ir iespējams apmeklēt, iepriekš saskaņojot laikus.

The Rožlejas farm is in the Džūkste Parish of the Tukums Administrative District, where the Eastern Courlandian highlands interact with the Heath lowlands.  The parents of the current owner, Jānis Ukše, began work there in 1989, establishing a natural farm to grow sugar beets and then also wheat.  Thanks to thoughtful farming, Rožlejas has, over the past quarter-century, turned into one of the largest grain farms in Western Latvia.  The owners have taken active part in EU projects to purchase modern equipment and to build hangars for the storage of grain and equipment.  The farm specialises in winter barley and winter wheat, using ~1,200 ha of land for that purpose.

In terms of territory, it is the most impressive dune range in the Baltics. This is the only place in the Baltics, where one can enjoy open dune sands that are still active and, under the influence of wind, form the so-called eolian relief forms. There are trails, wooded trails and a paved bikeway for the conveniences of visitors. In order to protect the dune, The Dunes of Curonian spit National Park has been established .