Historians say that the Livs or Livonians lived in the territory of Latvia long ago, starting in the 10th century.  They populated Northern Kurzeme and the river banks of the Daugava and Gauja rivers.  They asked the first German tradesmen who appeared in the area about the price of textiles at the market in Visby.  This means that they were familiar with the island of Gotland.  The Livonians were courageous and spiritually strong seafarers, because only strong men can live with the sea, go fishing and seal trapping, and take root in the by no means fertile sands of the seashore.

The territory between Ģipka and Ovīši is known as the Livonian coastline.  There are still romantic seashore fishing villages of Livonian origin, as well as Cape Kolka, where the great Latvian activist Krišjānis Valdemārs insisted that it was the centre of Europe.  Livonians all along the seashore responded to his call by taking part in building sailing ships all the way up to Ainaži, where there was a maritime school.  That allowed the ships to sail to the far corners of the world, thus creating a century of sailing ships.  This wasn’t possible without the Livonians.  Also on the coastline are the oldest lighthouses in Latvia, with the one at Ovīši still serving as a star that shows the route for seaborne ships that are heading for Rīga.

The Livonian heritage is also seen in the tradition of fishing for lamprey eels – something that is still very much in place in Carnikava, Svētciems and Salacgrīva.  Old-time fishing equipment that cannot be seen anywhere else is on display in the latter town.

The Latvian nation emerged when the Livonians flowed together with the Lettigalians, the Livonians joke.  It may be that there is some truth in the anecdote.  Liv or Livonian culture, lifestyles and history are closely linked to Latvia and cannot be separated from it.

1.2 km long, the trail passes through a unique terrain of hillocks and forests, with the height of the valley rising to as much as 15 metres.  Visitors will find a diversity of plant life, as well as the beautiful little Kauliņupīte River, which crosses the rail at two points.  The health trail was established in the late 1990s.

The Jakiškiu Estate was first mentioned in documents in the late 16th century.  The estate had elements of Classicism in terms of its architecture.  Among the buildings, the only ones that have survived are the mansion, an ice cellar and a steam-driven windmill.  The estate has not been restored, so it is still authentic.  Its artistic soul is preserved by various objects that remain from the time when people lived at the estate and from the Soviet era.  Alongside the estate are a few fragments of a park, which covers approximately 2 ha.  There is an ancient alley of linden trees that are on both sides of the entrance road, as well as several other valuable types of trees and a small pond.

Taka iesākumā ved pa mežu ieskautu bijušo šaursliežu dzelzceļa līniju, pa kuru pagājušā gadsimta vidū izveda kokmateriālus. Tās tālākā daļa izmet nelielu loku pa Suistna purvu (Suistna raba), kur uzcelts skatu tornis ar izcilu sūnu purva ainavu ar nelieliem ezeriņiem. Takas garums vienā virzienā ir 4,5 km.

Handicraft house Heltermaa is a local Hiiumaa grocery and handicraft shop, open during the summer season. The selection is very wide, starting from ceramic dishes and ending with Hiiumaa lemonade.

The saloon is in the restored complex of the Smuku Estate (16th century). During the summer, meals are served on the terrace of the “Zirgu stallis” guesthouse, while during the winter, they are served alongside the fireplace in the bar.

Latvian cuisine: Milk dumpling soup with dried bacon (Kurzeme lunch), herring baked on coals, stacked rye bread with whipped cream, “countryside milk bun” (fresh milk, sugar, cinnamon, berry sauce), a cheesy potato with honey-roasted pork.

The ancient Dviete river valley information centre “Gulbji” is one of the most important information facilities in the nature park and is housed in a single family farm that is 100 years old and is typical of the historical region of Selonia. Visitors can study an exhibition that is dedicated to the park, buy products from local craftspeople and farmers, and enjoy a beverage that is made from the distillation of beaver glands. To the North and East of “Gulbji” is the Putnu island paddock (250 ha) with livestock adapted to life in the wild – Konik horses and Highlander cows. There’s a bird watching tower on the shore of Lake Skuķi, which is 500 m away.

The workshop is in a farm, and the weaver produces blankets, carpeting, floor pathways, tablecloths, pillows, woven baskets, trays and souvenirs, as well as folk costumes on commission. She will be happy to show you her weaving and wicker-work skills.

This beautiful castle (1797-1802) is seen as the most brilliant example of Classicism in Latvian architecture.  It, like the Eleja Castle, was designed by the architect of the royal court in Russia, Giacomo Antonio Domenico Quarenghi and the architect Johann Georg Adam Berlitz.  The ornate interior was unique for Kurzeme at the time when the castle was built.  Empress Catherine II gifted the castle to Charlotte von Lieven (1742-1828) after Charlotte served as governess for the empress’ grandchildren.  An agricultural school operated in the building from 1921 until 1941, and it was very much damaged and pillaged during World War II.  Restoration began later, when the Mežotne experimental selection station was housed in it.  The lovely building houses a hotel and can be toured.  Around the castle, which is on the banks of the Lielupe River, there is one of the most beautiful English-type gardens in Latvia – perfect for a stroll.