Hiking Tour: Vecāķi – Carnikava – Saulkrasti – Skulte – Limbaži – Puikule – Aloja – Mazsalaca (No. 3)

Tour duration: 6 days
Overall difficulty level: Moderately easy
Price: EUR 280 per person

The tour is most conveniently started in Riga, the capital of Latvia, with more than 80 direct airBaltic destinations across Europe.

Daily Programme

Day 1 – Arrival in Riga

Arrival in Riga. Free time to explore the historic city centre, included in the UNESCO World Heritage List.

Day 2 – Riga, Vecāķi, Carnikava, Lilaste (~20 km)

Meeting at the selected hotel in Riga or at the railway station. Travel by train from Riga to Vecāķi. Hiking along the Baltic Coastal Hiking Route – Jūrtaka (E9) along the sandy coast of the Gulf of Riga to Carnikava, crossing the pedestrian bridge over the Gauja River and visiting a historic fishermen’s homestead preserving lamprey fishing traditions recognised as Intangible Cultural Heritage.

Arrival in Lilaste, located within the Piejūra Nature Park.
Overnight and dinner in Lilaste.

Day 3 – Lilaste, Saulkrasti, Skulte (~20 km)

After breakfast, hiking continues along the Jūrtaka (E9) through the Piejūra Nature Park, crossing the Lilaste River and reaching Saulkrasti. Visit to the Saulkrasti Bicycle Museum, followed by a coastal hike to Skulte, where the shoreline becomes increasingly rocky.
Overnight in Zvejniekciems.

Day 4 – Skulte, Limbaži (~25 km)

After breakfast, transfer by bus to the Green Railways routes within the North Vidzeme Biosphere Reserve. Initial information about historic railways is available at the former Lāde railway station. Activities offered by Green Railways farmsteads include horseback riding, rural mini-zoo visits and local gastronomic products.

Swimming opportunities are available at Lādezers, Lielezers and Katvari Lake. Exploration of the Hanseatic town of Limbaži.
Overnight in the Limbaži area.

Day 5 – Limbaži, Puikule, Aloja (~20 km)

Hiking along the Green Railways route Puikule–Aloja, located within the North Vidzeme Biosphere Reserve. The Puikule railway station historically served as a key transport hub. A rest stop with pizzas baked over an open fire is planned at Aloja railway station.
Overnight and dinner in Aloja.

Day 6 – Aloja, Mazsalaca (~15 km)

Hiking along the Green Railways route Aloja–Mazsalaca. Crossing the Salaca River by bridge in Mazsalaca and concluding the journey with a two-hour guided canoe trip on the Salaca River to the Skaņākalns cliffs. After the canoe trip, a meal at a scenic riverside restaurant. Transfer Mazsalaca–Riga or return by public bus.

Accommodation

Accommodation in 3–4 star hotels, manor houses and high-quality guesthouses.