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.

The old wooden tower at this site was torn down and replaced with the one that is there now. The restored tower offers one of the loveliest views in Eastern Latvia – one of the eight curves of the Daugava. This is the Rozališki curve. Here you will get a whole new sense of the Daugava River and its mighty valley in a place where the waters of a hydroelectric plant bubble away in our present day and age. It is claimed that the scene that is seen on the 10 lats note is based on the view which can be seen to the West from the tower.

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 residential building of the manor house was built in the 19th century. In 1932, so neglected manor house was bought by the Latvian press king A. Benjamiņš. Nowadays, the manor house is owned by the Benjamiņi family again and there is located a photo exposition of the private life and travels of A. Benjamiņš.

Maršruts "Murjāņi - Līgatne" ved caur Gaujas senieleju ar devona smilšakmens atsegumiem, raksturīgo augu valsti un dzīvniekiem. Krastos sastopami Latvijā lielākie nogāžu un gravu meži ar liepām, ozoliem, gobām un ošiem. Upes līkumos palienē aug baltalkšņu un vīksnu audzes. Uz koku stumbriem atrodams plaušķērpis. Senieleja bagāta ar sausokņiem un kritalām, tāpēc Gaujas krastu mežos dzīvo visu Latvijā sastopamo dzeņu dzimtas sugu putni. Smilšainajās Gaujmalas pļavās un Gaujas vecupēs ir bagātīga bezmugurkaulnieku fauna. Upes krastos ir smilšakmens klintis ar čurkstu alām un zivju dzenīša ligzdām. Klinšu pakājē iztek avoti, kas uztur mikroklimatu ielejā. Gauja ir nozīmīga arī kā Latvijas lielākā lašupe. Maršruts ir daļēji marķēts un papildināts ar norādēm un informācijas stendiem.

The basic exhibition at the museum, “Traditions Related to the Sewing and Wearing of Bārta Folk Costumes From the 19th to the 21st Century”, features folk costumes for unmarried and married women, as well as for men, emphasising the diversity of elements therein.  Visitors can help to embroider or weave blouses.  The Bārta Ethnographic Ensemble offers two educational programmes – “The Bārta Folk Costume” and “Singing Women From Bārta”.

This site has a commemorative stone which speaks to Krišjānis Valdemārs’ achievements in the development of the Latvian state.  This used to be the location of the Roja or Lubezere maritime school, and the home for teachers is still there.  A private medical practice is in the building right now.  The maritime school existed from 1873 to 1915 and was wrecked during World War I.  The school trained helmsmen for short-distance trips.  Tuition was free, and classes were taught in Latvian.  Latvian sailors were known in Russia and abroad, including the Americas.  They were respected for their serious approach to their work, their honesty and their loyalty. (Source: Roja TIC)

Found in the Alsunga Museum, this workshop demonstrates how the folk costumes and accessories of the Suiti community are produced.  Visitors can learn about weaving traditions in the area and examine the colourful range of folk costumes.  Visitors are welcome to try their hand at the work under the guidance of experienced specialists.