Best bird watching trails in Semigallia, Latvia

A heavily overgrown Lake Kaņieris is a lagoon-type lake and is a protected nature object located in Ķemeri National Park. The lake is one of the richest in Latvia in bird and plant diversity, therefore it is favoured by anglers and ornithologists. There are 14 islands on the lake, which are particularly loved by water birds as good resting spots during migration. More than 200 bird species have been identified at Lake Kaņieris overall. The richest diversity can be seen during the spring season and in early autumn. The suggested starting route point is at the sign “Putnu vērošanas tornis” or “Bird watching tower” (on the road Lapmežciems-Antiņciems), with climbing on the watching tower first and enjoying the spectalucal view on the Lake. After that continue the way to the wooden boardwalk, which is built on pontoons and links two islands, allowing to observe the beauty of the lake landscape with dry legs. The boarwalk is swinging a little here and there, as around half of it’s length consists of floating constructions. The length of the boardwalk is 600m and it allows to see the hard to reach reeds thicket, which is truly impressive. The wooden boardwalk stretches through the reed maze, sometimes shaping a kind of a “reed tunnel” and sometimes opening the view to the lake again. At the end of the boardwalk, there are additional wooden planks laid down recently, prolonging the route through the forest along the shore of the lake leading, first, to the boat base and after – along the gravel road to the starting point of the trail. The hiking takes approximately 1 hour.Show more

Lake Engure is the third largest lake in Latvia. There are 187 bird species nesting at the park territory. Lake surroundings is one of the floristically richest territories in Latvia – it stands out with a high diversity of species and naturalness. Overall, there are about 800 plant species in the park. There are animal fodders, a bird watching tower and the Orchid trail available for visitors. The Orchid trail is accessible the whole year through, though most advisable in June, during the orchid blossoming period, as of all 32 orchid species existing in Latvia, more than 22 orchid species are to be found here. Combine the Orchid trail with visiting the bird watching tower, which opens a view to the specific landscape of Lake Engure with its reed and water fields, as well as the pasture of wild horses and cows that have been present here since 2002 and now are to be met at the floodplain meadows of the lake.Show more

A short, nice, easy to hike trail allowing to reach the sea in Bigaunciems village quickly and comfortably. A wooden boardwalk along the Silinupe river coast and dunes stretches all the way up to the wide and the very beautiful beach at the old pier of Lapmezciems village. Various water birds can often be spotted at Silinupe river – mallards, common coots, grey herons etc. A free of charge parking lot is nearby.Show more

One of the most popular swamp trails in Latvia that offers a fabulous walk through one of the greatest raised bogs. Visitors may notice the carnivorous plant of sundew, and a variety of birds – wood sandpipers, white wagtails, tree pipits. The bog has been designated as internationally important Bird Area. The key feature distinguishing the Great Kemeri Bog and other raised bogs in Kemeri surroundings and making them unique on European level is the sulphurous mineral waters, which are forming deep underneath the surface of the bog and bursting out on the surface in more than 30 open springs in the vicinity of Kemeri. The boardwalk has 2 loops – a small one and a long one. The overall hiking time is around 1.5 hours. Available whole year through, though the most beautiful scenery in the bog is in spring and autumn, and especially, in early morning watching the sunrise.Show more