Walking forest nature trails in Latvia and Estonia

Arrive in Riga.

Pick-up the hired car at the airport.

Accommodation in Riga.

Hiking: Inčukalna Devil’s hole trail (~3 km)

En route you can see the Inčukalns hunting palace and Devil’s Cave. It is said that the Devil used to live in this cave, but was banished by the God of Thunder. The cave features a massive dome-shaped ceiling and a spring said to possess healing powers.

Drive Inčukalns – Sigulda (19 km)

Hiking in Sigulda from the centre of town till Paradīzes Hill (~5 km return)

You will see the ravine of the River Vējupīte, Kraukļu Gorge –Paradīzes Hill with excellent views to the ancient valley of the River Gauja.

In Sigulda you can also visit the Sigulda castle ruins, Gutman’s Cave, Turaida Museum Reserve.

Accommodation in Sigulda.

Hiking Līgatne Nature Trails (5.5 km)

Līgatne nature trails will reveal many wildlife species typical to Latvia. Here one can see the wild animals of Latvia – stags, roe deer, wild boar, bears, foxes, lynx, and two species of birds.

Drive Līgatne – Kārļi (21 km)

Hiking Forest Trail: Amata Veclauču bridge – Zvarte Rock (~3 km)

The Amata Trail in Gauja National Park is an excellent place for walks and nature discovery, exploring one of Latvia’s deepest river valleys. At the end of the tour you will see Zvarte Rock. The height of the vertical red rock top reaches 35 m. It is located on the left bank of the River Amata and is one of the most picturesque rock exposures in Latvia.

Private transfer to hotel.

Accommodation in Kārļi.

Option 1: Hiking Cīruliši Nature Trails (3 trails of different lengths 2.7 km, 3.5 km and 6.2 km).

Sightseeing in Cēsis. Walk in the charming Old Town, the ruins of the Livonian Order Castle and the new castle,

Accommodation in Cēsis.

Hiking in the Northern Gauja protected landscape area (5-6 km)

You will see the Cirgaļi inland dunes and observation tower, which is 27 m high and offers an excellent view of the River Gauja, fields and forests.

Drive: Cirgaļi – Alūksne (~78 km)

We suggest exploring this beautiful town of Alūksne, situated in the north-east of Latvia, in the Alūksne highland, on the shore of Lake Alūksne. It is worth visiting the Temple Hill – an old Latgalian castle mound and place of the Old Town, the Sun bridge, the Castle manor park, Alūksne Lutheran Church and the Bible Museum.

Accommodation in Alūksne.

Hiking Peļļi and Paganamaa Trail – 7 km – trail along 7 lakes, which crosses the Latvian/Estonian border twice.

It is recommended to climb to the Drusku castle mound near Korneti – an impressive terrain for Latvia, and here you will see as far as the Hanja highlands of Estonia.

Drive Veclaicene – Haanja (32 km).

Accommodation in Haanja or surroundings.

On this day you will see the highest point of the Baltics – Suur Munamagi (318 m above sea level). It provides its visitors with a splendid 50 km range view of the Estonian nature. A viewing tower is built on top of this hill. In Haanja there is also the National Geographic yellow window, which draws guests’ attention to special places, historical events, traditions, culture and nature in South-Estonia.

Drive Haanja – Vana Vastseliina (~25 km)

Hiking the River Piusa Trail: Vana-Vastseliina – River Piusa valley – Lindsi – Obinitsa (~15 km)

The Forest Trail section starts at Vastseliina Episcopal Castle ruins and goes along the primeval valley of the River Piusa to Obinitsa. There is also the highest sandstone outcrop wall in Estonia – Härma Walls, and several sites of former mills. We recommend to visit Obinitsa Museum, which offers an opportunity to learn about the unique history and culture of Setomaa through exploring the family life, traditions and customs of Seto families.

Take the bus: Obinitsa – Vana-Vastseliina (~15 min., bus only operates on working days)

Drive: Vana-Vastseliina – Värska (~42 km)

Accommodation in Värska.

Hiking the Pikalombi nature trail in Värska (3.8 km shorter trail, 9.1 km longer trail)

On these trails you can enjoy pine groves, birch groves, meadows and the Velna bog that emerged during the ice age. The trails give you a wonderful opportunity to explore the scenery of Värska Bay and Lake Peipsi and the surroundings of the old Setomaa villages.

Drive: Värska – Järvselja (~50 km)

Hiking the Järvselja Primeval Forest Nature Study Trail (1-5 km)

It is one of the oldest protection areas in Estonia. In Järvselja primeval forest it is all up to nature – both the birth and death of the trees. And this is the perfect place to observe how new life begins from a dead tree. The primeval forest offers a good overview of an ancient virgin forest and of the forest’s lifecycle without mankind interrupting the evolution. Here, you will see the King’s Oak (Kuningamänd), which is over 360 years old, as well as spruces that are more than 40 metres high – making them one of the highest trees in Estonia.

Drive Järvselja – Tartu (45 km)

Sightseeing in Tartu.

Accommodation in Tartu.

Explore the coast of Lake Peipsi, Alatskivi Castle, Avinurme crafts centre.

Hiking the Kurtna trail (4.5 – 5.5 km)

It starts and ends at a car park with a fireplace site near Lake Martiska. A marked trail forms a part of the Kurtna Landscape Conservation Area and introduces a variety of plants, landscapes, and lakes. Along the way, you will pass 12 interesting locations and lakes.

Drive Kurtna –Toila (25 km)

Accommodation in Toila.

Drive: Toila – Valaste (11 km)

Explore the beautiful Valaste waterfall. It is located on the Ontika limestone cliff, and is more than 30 m high, making it the highest waterfall in Estonia. The waterfall can be admired from the side as well, which offers a lovely view of the layers formed over 400,000 million years.

Drive: Valaste – Käsmu (102 km) Leave the car in an accommodation place.

Hiking: Oandu – Vosu (10 km).

The trail goes through a beautiful, wooded inland dune area, where hikers can see cuts on pine trees, used to extract resin from the trees. In autumn, mushrooms and blueberries adorn the edges of the trail.

Private transfer to the start point and back to the accommodation.

Accommodation in Käsmu or surroundings.

Hiking Käsmu – Eru (9 km)

This part of the Forest Trail passes through the fairy tale-like Käsmu Peninsula with its wooded dunes and moss-covered rock fields.

Private transfer back to the accommodation.

Accommodation in Käsmu or surroundings.

Sightseeing in Tallinn.

Accommodation in Tallinn.