Hiking in Latvia: where to find the best hiking trails

Hiking in Latvia: where to find the best hiking trails

Hiking in Latvia is an ideal way to explore a country of peaceful lakes, fairytale forests and exceptionally unspoiled landscapes

Latvia is perhaps best known for the cosmopolitan city of Riga. Beyond the noisy capital lie delightful little towns like Cēsis and Sigulda, which offer hiking, cycling, canoeing and countless other outdoor adventures.

Considering its size, the small Baltic state devotes a surprising amount of space to outdoor activities. The white sandy beaches on the coast are the biggest attraction, especially in summer.

Further inland you'll find a range of natural landscapes, including acres of ancient forests, a picturesque lake area and picturesque pastures with grazing cattle.

As always, we believe the best way to explore a country is on foot. From short but sweet day hikes to challenging long-distance hiking trails, we take a look at the best places to hike in Latvia.

National parks in Latvia

If you're planning on going hiking in Latvia, where better to start than in the country's four national parks? Home to a mix of wildlife and a rich variety of landscapes, each park offers something unique.

Forests, lakes and beaches are the hallmarks of the Latvian countryside, but there are also waterfalls, wetlands, sleepy villages, healing mud baths and plenty of outdoor activities to keep hikers entertained – all with a network of easy-to-follow hiking trails.

Gauja National Park

Latvia's first national park is home to a pristine forested wilderness, disturbed only by the flowing Gauja River and its sandstone cliffs. In fact, it was founded in 1973 with the aim of protecting the country's most valuable natural landscape.

alt="River Gauja in Latvia">Alex Stemmer/ShutterstockThe Gauja River offers a range of outdoor activities

In addition to the picturesque landscape, the park offers a range of activities at any time of the year. Hiking, cycling and camping are the most popular activities, but there are also opportunities for canoeing, rafting, caving and even bungee jumping.

There are also numerous cultural and historical monuments to visit, including the medieval Sigulda Castle, the Turaida Museum Reserve and the old town of Cēsis.

More information: entergauja.com

Ķemeri National Park

A network of wooden boardwalks, muddy paths and observation towers characterize hiking in Ķemeri. The park is predominantly wet land, so expect bogs, lakes and mossy forests. With this comes a plethora of fantastic outdoor activities such as rafting, stand-up paddleboarding and swamp shoe hiking!

alt="Sunrise over the National Park National Park">Zanete/ShutterstockSunrise over Ķemeri National Park

In the 19th and early 20th centuries, Ķemeri was known for its medicinal mud and spring water and was a popular health resort. Despite its pungent smell (similar to rotten eggs), the sulphurous water is perfectly drinkable and has numerous health benefits.

Other highlights include Lake Kanieris and its bird watching tower, the pine-clad dunes of Green Dune and the enchanting Dunduri Meadows.

Further information: kemerunacionalaisparks.lv

Slitere National Park

Located on the hauntingly beautiful Kolka Peninsula on the wild Baltic Sea, Slitere is home to a range of ecosystems including deciduous and coniferous forests, moors, wetlands and swamps. Thousands of years ago, the landscape was once part of an ancient coastline that existed before the freshwater Baltic Ice Lake developed into today's Baltic Sea.

Raimond Klavins/ShutterstockKolka Peninsula is one of the best places for hiking in Latvia

The park is home to an excellent network of hiking trails, the best of which is the 2.2 km long Slītere Nature Trail. The chain of boardwalks runs from Slītere Lighthouse through a field of lush wetlands, pine forests and bracken. The towering red-topped lighthouse is the park's gatekeeper and can be climbed for impressive views across the Gulf of Riga to Estonia.

Wildlife in the park includes moose, wild deer, buzzards and beavers, as well as gray wolves and lynx, although sightings are extremely rare.

Further information: slitere.lv

Razna National Park

Established in 2007, Rāzna is Latvia's newest national park. The peaceful reserve in the historic Latgale lake region, which surrounds Lake Rāzna, is known for fishing, sailing and horse riding. Rāzna, Latvia's second largest lake, is often referred to as the Latgale Sea due to its idyllic sandy beaches and seemingly endless views across its waters.

Karlis Ustups/ShutterstockView from Mākoņkalns over Razna National Park

Two popular hikes in the park lead to the peaks of Lielais Liepu Kalns (Great Linden Hill) and Mākoņkalns (The Cloud Hill). Both “peaks” are below 300 m (984 ft) and are therefore easy to reach for most. At the top of Lielais Liepu is Latvia's highest observation tower at 34 m (112 feet), offering visitors impressive views over the region's countless lakes.

Further information: latgale.travel

The 10 best day hikes in Latvia

We've selected the 10 best-rated day hikes based on their average rating on AllTrails, one of the world's leading hiking apps. The Latvia section has over 170 walking, running and cycling routes to choose from, complete with maps, directions and reviews.

Tom's Z/ShutterstockHiking in Latvia is a year-round activity

1. Talsi Hillocks Charm Loop

Distance: 18.5 kmDuration: 4-6 hoursLocation: Talsi, CourlandMore information

2. Viesata river circles

Distance: 8.2 kmDuration: 2 hoursLocation: Irlava, CourlandMore information

3. Big Kangari Trail

Distance: 2.4 kmDuration: 1 hourLocation: Tīnūži, VidzemeMore information

4. Dunika Moorweg

Distance: 10.8 kmDuration: 2-3 hoursLocation: Dunika, CourlandMore information

5. Great Ķemeri swamp promenade

Distance: 5kmDuration: 1-2 hoursLocation: Ķemeri National ParkMore information

SangaPark/ShutterstockWooden walkways in Ķemeri National Park

6. Circles of the Riva River

Distance: 15.4 kmDuration: 3-4 hoursLocation: Jūrkalne, KurlandMore information

7. Reserve loop of the Turaida Castle Museum

Distance: 4.7 kmDuration: 1-2 hoursLocation: Gauja National ParkMore information

8. Nature trail in Kazdanga Park

Distance: 9kmDuration: 2-3 hoursLocation: Kazdanga, KurlandMore information

Janis Smits/ShutterstockKazdanga nature trail

9. Daugavgrīvas lighthouse, pier and tower paths

Distance: 11.1 kmDuration: 2-3 hoursLocation: PiejūraMore information

10. Purplest Beach Walk

Distance: 12.4 kmDuration: 2-3 hoursLocation: PiejūraMore information

5 long-distance hiking trails in Latvia

For hikers looking for something more challenging, one of the following multi-day hikes may appeal.

Long-distance hiking trails in Latvia are generally divided into 20km sections, so there is no obligation to complete any of the trails in full. Of course, all sections can be completed as day hikes from point to point or divided into shorter treks if desired.

1. Baltic Sea coastal hiking trail

Distance: 581kmDuration: 30 daysMore information

alt="The Coast of Jūrmala">Ingus Kruklitis/ShutterstockThe Jurmala coast

Latvia's most famous long-distance hiking trail stretches along the entire 480 km long coastline. The Latvian section of the Baltic Sea Coastal Trail begins at the Lithuanian-Latvian border and ends at the Latvian-Estonian border and passes through a range of landscapes.

In addition to the white sandy beach and pine-clad dunes of Slitere and Ķemeri National Parks, the trail also winds through Jūrmala's long line of coastal communities.

The 1,400 km long Baltic Coastal Hiking Trail traverses the entire coasts of Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia and marks the final section of the 5,000 km long European long-distance hiking trail E9, which runs from Portugal to the Estonian-Russian border.

2. Baltic Forest Trail

Distance: 625kmDuration: 28-36 daysMore information

Aleks Kend/ShutterstockThe forests of Latvia

If you prefer the peace and quiet of the forest, the Latvia section of the Baltic Forest Trail is an ideal alternative. If you don't want to cover the entire route, a popular option is to start the hike in Riga and drive to either the Lithuanian or Estonian border to cover about half of the route.

The entire 2,100 km long Baltic Forest Trail passes through the most heavily forested areas and national parks of Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia. The route is an extension of the 2,560 km long European long-distance route E11, which runs from The Hague in the Netherlands to the Polish-Lithuanian border.

3. Camino Latvia

Distance: 320kmDuration: 17-20 daysMore information

Ksenija Toyechkina/ShutterstockThe fairytale town of Sigulda

The Way of St. James, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, consists of a network of ancient paths that criss-cross Europe. Eventually they all lead to the shrine of the Apostle James the Great in the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela in northern Spain. Although Latvia is one of the last corners of Europe to embrace Christianity, it also offers some pilgrimage.

An alternative to Spain's ever-popular journey is Latvia's less traveled Way of St. James. The Latvian section begins in the historic town of Valka on the Estonian border and runs across the country to the Lithuanian border. On the way it leads through the legendary cities of Valmiera, Cēsis, Sigulda and of course Riga.

4. Ancient Valley of the Abava River

Distance: 100kmDuration: 4-6 daysMore information

alt="One of several cascades of the Abava River">Toms Burkowskis/ShutterstockOne of several cascades of the Abava River

At the end of the last Ice Age, the glaciers in this part of Europe retreated, leaving behind the crescent-shaped Abava Valley. On the banks of the river lie dense oak forests, picturesque villages and a mysterious network of caves.

Today, natural parks, vineyards, a series of rushing rapids and the charming medieval town of Kuldīga attract hikers and day visitors from all over Latvia. A popular alternative to hiking is canoeing on the Abava.

5. 1836

Distance: 1,836kmDuration: 90-100 daysMore information

/ShutterstockThe 1836 route circumnavigates Latvia

The 1836 hiking trail was launched in 2014 to celebrate the centenary of Latvia's independence and follows the 1,836 km of the Latvian border. Along the way, the trail literally takes hikers through Latvia and to every corner of the country. As standard, the course also covers the entire Latvian section of the Baltic Sea Coastal Hiking Trail.

MISSION STATEMENT: SANGA PARK/SHUTTERSTOCK

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