Nature Walking Trails in Vidzeme

Ogre Blue Hills Walking Trail

(images 1–9)

This is a ground trail around the Dubkalns reservoir (quarry). The car can be parked in a fairly spacious car park. Here there are swimming and picnic spots. The most fantastic view of the waters and surroundings opens from a built observation deck located at the far end of the reservoir. A place that is great to visit and enjoy nature in any season (we have been both in winter and in summer).

Deeper in the forest on a large hill stands a tall observation tower - a full 30 m toward the sky. Worth climbing to test your physical endurance. The view itself, speaking subjectively, could have been better. The only thing visible is the surrounding forest mass just slightly above the treetops.

Lielie Kangari

(images 16–24)

The "Lielie Kangari" walk in the nature reserve allows one to enjoy both forest scenery and bog, and a view of Lake Kangars. At the start of the trail there is a fairly tall observation tower (33 m), followed by a ground trail or fitness route where, following instructions on informational boards, one can exercise both physically and mentally. At the entrance a snack bus, with the option on cool days to warm up with a cup of tea or coffee or have a bowl of hot soup.

Then comes a choice - if you go left, the path leads along the lakeshore; if right, toward the bog trail. In both cases it is a good-quality and rather wide wooden boardwalk, which at one point one feels like calling a wooden highway in the middle of the bog. The trail length is small - only 2 km. Parking at the trail is on a gravel road which in early spring or rainy weather is quite muddy - plan that after the trip you will need to take the car for a wash.

Excellent accommodation - Dome House "Beyond Time" (images 10–15)

Do not be confused by the location, which on Booking.com is marked near Tīnūži - it is not there at all; even a different district - Salaspils, not Ikšķile. Next to Pilkane village and the Vācu Hills. But the place itself and its surroundings are great. Wooden energy-efficient structures resembling full-sized penguin houses, with two uniquely furnished rooms. We stayed in the Dalí room (named after the surrealism guru). The interior is fitting - vivid colours, a bed suspended on ropes, a soft pouf, a fluffy wardrobe, and eclecticism in the details.

The dome house was designed and built by the host himself, who turns out to be a talented cook as well - the breakfast was fantastic. Guests are received by the hostess and her four-legged friends, a couple of sizeable purebred dogs. All around an indescribable peace and quiet. A place where one can escape in twosome solitude from everything and everyone.

Lielezers Nature Trail

(images 25–33)

This is a wooden walking trail along Lake Lielezers in Limbaži. It begins at a developed and well-appointed lakeside beach with lake boardwalks and continues along one shore of the lake. At the end a small wooden observation tower - a lake bird-watching spot. Midway along the trail a small bridge from which, looking down, one can watch schools of fish in the water. Above the head one can feel the rustle of gull wings and their loud calls.

Trail length only 2.3 km in one direction. Must be calculated times two, as one must return along the same trail to get back to the car park. Walking, the eyes can feast on the tangle of exposed roots of trees growing on the lake shore, revealed to view by small earthen cutbanks. Good for a calm and easy walk.

A disappointment was two other nature trails marked on the map as valuable attractions - Ģīme Nature Trail in Valmiera (images 38–39) and Zaķumuiža Nature Trail. The trails do technically exist, but there is nothing to see.