Preferably, you should do it with the help of a knowledgeable guide who will seek out the route that suits you the best. Whether far from Riga or in the city itself, whether by boat or on foot, whether offering rarities appreciated only by true connoisseurs of nature or spelling out the ABCs of wildlife in an engaging way – unusual adventures can be pursued in all these variations. Nature is so abundant and multi-faceted that everyone will find different things on the same nature trail depending on the level of their preparation.
Four national parks, 42 nature parks, four nature reserves, one biosphere reserve, two botanical gardens… These places will enable you to locate the vast and varied recreational opportunities, diverse nature trails and unusual discoveries.
You can go mushroom-picking, berry-picking or fishing, immerse yourself in the romance offered by boating trips or join in some of the less tame outdoor pursuits offered by Latvian adventure parks.
Only Latvia has this kind of diversity on its sea coast. From coastal meadows near the Estonian border, where rush growths reach into the water and offer shelter to rare birds, insects, amphibians and plants, to the bluffs at Jūrkalne; from the rocky Vidzeme beach to the tranquil and fragile pristineness of the Livonian Coast and Cape Kolka. You can explore it by car, by sail boat, on foot or by bicycle: each of these journeys offers its own particular magic.
Bird watchers will have their own captivating routes, as Latvia is criss-crossed by bird migration paths. In Pape in the south-west of the country, an ornithological station has been set up; an enormous diversity of birds can also be observed around Cape Kolka during migration; an ornithological research centre can also be found on Lake Engure. Bird watching towers have been erected in many places throughout Latvia. Well-informed guides and interesting birding tours are offered by Motacilla, a company of the Latvian Ornithological Society. A summary of the best birding sites can also be found here.
Unhurried relaxation in a particularly pure environment is offered by certified ecological farms, or guest houses, of which there are more than 20 across Latvia. Meanwhile, in places like the Laumas nature park you can follow the sports and miniature golf trail or bee, bird, plant or forest trails to your heart’s content. See how it is to be a bee or lose yourself in the great wood nymph adventure!
