This route passes along one of the most diverse and beautiful parts of the coastline of the Bay of Rīga.  You will see the Randu meadows, which are known as Latvia’s open-air “herbarium” because of the diversity of plants that can be found there.  The coast features various sizes of rocks and stones, as well as no shortage of lovely and sandy beaches.  This is the only place in Latvia where Devonian sandstone cliffs can be seen.  Past each horn there is a different landscape, and the last 20 kilometres of the route are paradise for bird watchers during migration season.  The route is in the Northern Vidzeme Biosphere Reserve.

Route information from Latvijas Lauku forums

This is an urban construction monument that was created between the 17th and 19th century, and it is of national importance.  The street layout around Jelgavas and Rātūža streets forms closed blocks of buildings.  There are Lutheran, Catholic, Orthodox and Baptist churches in Jaunjelgava.  One of the most outstanding architectural monuments is City Hall, which was built in 1912 and features Art Nouveau forms.  None of the city’s five synagogues has survived.  The historical centre of Jaunjelgava features a promenade that runs along the banks of the Daugava River.  This is a popular place for strolls, leisure and swimming.

Zemnieku saimniecība "Dzirnas" nodarbojas ar bioloģisko putnkopību, audzē zemenes un dārzeņus. Saimniecība apsaimnieko 11 ha zemes. Tajā iegūtās olas ar zīmolu "Vistu olas", sīpoli un ķiploki tiek pārdoti veikalos "Klēts" Rimi hypermārketos Rīgā. Savukārt zemenes pārdod dzimtajā Alsungā, kā arī pēc pieprasījuma piegādā Rīgā. Iespējams arī apmeklēt un apskatīt saimniecību, taču nepieciešmaa iepriekšēja pieteikšanās.

Tihuse farm provides accommodation and horse riding from trekking to carriage rides. A signposted heritage trail starts at the farm and tells the story of people and Nature; you can also learn about old beliefs and customs. The teahouse exhibits photos of places linked to Muhu island’s heritage.

The farmyard offers to see the domestic animals, birds and exotic maras  as well as horse-back riding on a pony. You can get a consultation about gardening and breeding small animals. It is possible to buy quail eggs, smoked meats, chicken and birdlings.

The farm uses ancient recipes from grandmothers to bake aromatic sourdough and rye bread on maple leaves, with the crunch crust being processed with flax oil. You can help to bake the bread and then taste and buy it.

A Latvian traditional farm with a herd of some 150 goats, offering tours of the farm and cheese for sale.  They offer also home-made ice-cream from the goat milk and a soup made on open-fire. Also latvian traditional sauna is available. The products can also be bought at the little market in Straupe.

The Kaltene Lutheran Church dates back to 1567, when Duke Gotthard Kettler of Courland ordered the construction of new churches in Kurzeme.  One of them was in Kaltene, and was known as the Church of St Catherine.  In 1848, a clay church was built in place of the old wooden church.  A sacristy was added in 1880, and the church was rebuilt and expanded in 1896.  It suffered much damage during World War I because a Russian mine ship attacked it.  The church was restored during the first half of the 1920s.  The altar painting, “Christ and St Peter on the Sea” was painted in 1898 by M Pohl after a panting by R. Richter.  The pulpit and organ date back to the 18th century and are cultural monuments of national importance.  The organ was built by August Martin in 1843, and it was initially in a church in Gulbene.  The instrument was brought to Kaltene in 1943 and is the oldest surviving instrument by Martin.  The bell was manufactured in 2006 by the Liepājas Metalurgs company, and a new building for the congregation was built in 2012 and 2013.  The first scenes of the feature film “Long Road to the Dunes” and the film “Forest of Bulrush” were filmed outside the gates of the church.  Nearby is the Putniņi homestead.  In 1921, Culture Minister Rainis visited the homestead.  At that time there was a store there.  The Germans burned down the homestead during World War II. (Source: Roja TIC)