The Daugava is the largest river in Latvia and the river of destiny for the Latvian people.  Since the end of the Ice Age, plants and animals travelled into what is now Latvia along the Daugava River valley, followed then by humans.  The shores of the river have some of the oldest settlements in Latvia, as well as a true wealth of different kinds of plants.  The density of outstanding cultural and historical monuments is why tourists love the shores of the river.  The Rīga-Daugavpils rail line offers comfortable travel between Rīga and Jēkabpils.  Below, find other train stations where it is worth disembarking to take circular hikes that last for a few hours or half a day before returning to the station.

Route information from Latvijas Lauku forums

The breeding of Californian red snails and production of bio-humus. You are offered a short excursion around the production, information about breeding snails and the production of bio-humus.

Klinšu smilšakmens ieži veidojušies, ūdens straumēm sanesot smilšainas, mālainas iežu daļiņas. Tās lēnām nogulsnējās un sablīvējās, topot par vareniem dabas veidojumiem! Līgatnes pagrabu alas savām rokām radījuši senie iedzīvotāji. Šī neparastā vieta ļāvusi daudzām paaudzēm izdzīvot, jo alās bija iespēja uzglabāt nepieciešamās pārtikas rezerves. Alām ir nemainīga temperatūra, kas padara tās par drošu pārtikas produktu un dzērienu glabātuvi.

Die Kirche hat einen 1800 gebauten einzigartigen achteckigen Glockenturm. Blick auf den Lūšiai-See.

This territory is on both sides of the central section of the Raķupe River. On the banks of the river, there are many different meadow habitats, as well as massive oaks growing in the places of former farmsteads which are uninhabited by now. This is an important place for rare plants and animals. There is no tourism infrastructure for visitors in the area. Visitors who are especially interested in the environmental cognition are advised to visit the territory in attendance of experienced local guide. Raķupe is not usable for water tourism because of tilts of trees and beaver dams.

The MIKO bakery bakes more than 100 types of products according to its special recipes, including cakes, pies, eclairs, and biscuits.

The Barefoot Path begins at the Valguma Pasaule Recreation Centre by Lake Valgums, which is surrounded by forest. The recreation centre includes a hotel and restaurant, and offers nature-based services such as the Barefoot Path and other walking trails.

The Barefoot Path is a 2.6 km long trail through the natural environment, along which visitors walk barefoot and experience a variety of surfaces including pine cones, glass balls, small stones and shingles of various shapes, moss, fine sand, clay, river water, turf, gravel, reeds, chipped wood, pinewood logs, wooden poles and millstones. Walking barefoot has a number of positive health effects:

it strengthens the immune system;

it improves blood circulation and stabilises blood pressure;

it strengthens the leg and foot muscles, joints and ligaments; and

it enhances relaxation, and aids mental and physiological stability.

The walk is led by an English-speaking guide. Before the walk, visitors receive a briefing. It is recommended that visitors wear comfortable outdoor clothing, appropriate for the weather. After walking the barefoot path, visitors usually feel energised, strong and happy. The walk finishes with a relaxing herbal foot bath.

The only school-based botanical garden in Lithuania was planted in 1989 at the Traupis school.  More than 8,000 types of plants grow in the garden, and all of them have been collected by Sigutis Obelevičius.

The cafe is situated in the southern part of Vecpiebalga. The interior decorations are made of oak and boast Latvian symbols, as well as stained glass.

Working hours: Monday- Thu 8:00 - 22:00, Fri, Sat 8:00 - 01:00, Sun. 8:00 - 22:00