FOR CYCLERS
SALACGRĪVA - TŪJA
TOURISM SERVICES
Northernvidzeme invites!
In the North Vidzeme Biosphere Reserve and in its nature reserves you are
allowed to walk freely, observe animals and landscapes, pick berries and
mushrooms, sunbathe and use rowing boats in the sea aquatorium. Though
cars are only allowed to drive on the roads. Tents may be pitched and fires
may be built only at specially indicated places (near Veczemu cliffs, in
camping places).
Accomodation :
In Salavgrīva:
5 Kapteiņu osta, 64024931;
5 Brīze, 64071717;
3 Roķi, 29218952
In Svētciems:
3 7 Vējavas, 64071667;
7 Rakari, 64071122
In Vitrupe:
3 4 Korķi, 29239788;
4 Bērziņi, 29425352
In Ķurmrags:
4Ķurmrags, 29113777;
4 Olnieki, 29111919
In Tūja:
3 Klintskalni, 29212885;
5 Jafa Tūja, 25807788;
7 Jūrasdzeņi, 26550574;
1 Juras bura, 29847299;
The tourism route is a part of North Vidzeme Biosphere Reserve­
Latvia’s major special area of nature conservation (approximately 6%
of total country’s area). There is variety and diversity in the
landscape, biotope and spiecies. Salaca is one of the most important
salmon spawning ground in the whole of the Baltic sea region. The
landscape of the river valley, with its limestone’s outcrops, attracts a large
number of watertourists. The coast of the Gulf of Riga is within a
comparatively short distance (aproximately 50 km) and stands out with
great natural landscape and biotope diversity. In the northern part of the
reserve are streched maritime meadows, in the middle part­ sandy
seashores, but in the southern part­ rocky seafront in lenght of 20 km. On
Estonia’s borderland there are Northern swamps, while Seda moorland is
one of the most important bird resting and feeding grounds during
migration. Territory in North Vidzeme stands out with its wide variety of
forests as all types of Latvia’s forest occur there. For visitors there are
interesting walking paths and viewing towers constructed in Randu
meadows, Southern part of lake Burtnieks, Planču swamp, Niedrāji­ Pilkas
marsh, on the Lake Dziļezers and Lielezers shores. Skaņākalna park in
Mazsalaca is one of the most popular tourist sites in whole Northern
vidzeme. A wide variety of cultural monuments are located in this territory,
for instance, one of the first of Latvia’s settelments­ so called Fishermen
graveyard (5.­ 2. millenium BC).
Shops: in Salacgrīva, Tūja
Catering: in Salacgrīva, Tūja, during
summer season in some resting­
places
Cash point: in Salacgrīva
Pharmacy: in Salacgrīva, Tūja
Tourism information:
Salacgrīva Tourist information
centre,
http://tourism.salacgriva.lv,
64041254
Ainaži Tourist information centre
www.ainazi.lv, 64043241
Limbaži Tourist information centre
www.visitlimbazi.lv, 64070608
Rural Tourism Asocciation „Lauku
Ceļotājs”, www.celotajs.lv, 67617600
The landscape of Vidzeme stony seashore
Nature Reserve „Vidzeme stony seashore” is a seashore
covered with boulders and pebbles and jagged by little capes
and bays. It is the only place in the Baltic Sea where sandstone
THE DESCRIPTION OF THE ROUTE
exposures that were formed 350­ 380 million years ago can be seen on
the beach. This is very changeable and dinamical part of the Sea shore,
Cycling route provide the possibility to see the Vidzeme seashore from Salacgrīva especially after bigger storms.
to Tūja­ cycling on larger and smaller forest roads, and pushing the bicycle along
the coastline; introduces oneself with the fishing villages of the Vidzeme coastline
and the unique natural heritage as well as the most stony landscape of Latvia’s
seaside. The cycling route is suitable for active cyclers, who are ready to ride
along roads of various difficulty levels, that range from effortless to hard to pass
through.
Challenging
Time suggested: from april to october
section of the
route­ the real
Length: 35 km
adventure!
Approximate time: circumstantial­ depends on physical condition and time spent
on sightseeing. Approximately 1­2 days.
Level of difficulty: relatively difficult as it includes hard to pass through sections.
Road surfacing: asphalt, forest roads of high and low quality as well as seashore
sand, stones
Starting point: Tourist information centre in Salacgrīva
Finish: Tūja­ near tourist unformation board
Route process: Salacgrīva­ Ķeguļrags­ Vitrupe­ Mantiņi­ Ķurmrags­ Tūja
Marking: marked with yellow paint blazes
One of the
Distance from Riga: 103 km
Logistics: buses run along VIA Baltica motorway: Rīga­ Salacgrīva­ Rīga (on resting­places
with magnificent
average: 11 times a day)
over the
Alternatives: sections that are hard to ride through can be avoided by cycling views
seashore
along the VIA Baltica motorway, but one has to take into consideration the high
level of risk as the motorway is narrow and the traffic is intensive.
Important to know: Everybody takes their own responsibility for realizing the
route! Everybody is responsible for their own and their children’s security.
There are other active tourism routes in North Vidzeme Biosphere Reserve–search
for them in www.celotajs.lv!
ROUTE PROCESS:
1 . section: Salacgrīva- Meleki (1 7 km)
Starting from Salacgrīva Tourist information centre cycle along Sila street you will reach
Lauteru pine forest. Cycle forward along the forest road (approximetely 8 km) until you
reach Svētupe river where on the oposite side is the campsite „Vējavas” which has a
tourist information stand. Before „Vējavas”, turn right and continue cycling until you see
Lāņu manor house. When passing private houses in this area be aware of dogs!
Continue on, following yellow signs on the trees and you will reach a parking place. After
leaving the parking place, continue cycling on the bicycle road which links together three
parking places. Second parking place is the best place to rest, refresh (with any snacks
you have; there is no possibility to buy anything!), use facilities (do not expect anything
more than a little wodden cot) and introduce oneself to the information situated on the
stands and enjoy the view over the seaside.
Once you pass the third parking place continue cycling along the motorway (not more
than 1 km!) and turn right in the third turn on an unpaved road (look for the yellow blaze
on the electricity pole).
The estuary of Salaca river into Riga Bay in Salacgrīva
Part of the route with medium level of difficulty due to sand and overgrown road.
2.section:Meleki- Veczemu Cliffs (6 km)
Now you have reached the most picturesque part of the route, where it is advisable to
reduce speed and enjoy the view.
After turning right from the motorway, cycle along the forest until the road splits apart and
at the crossroad turn left. The road goes along Meleku bay and the historical Dzeņu,
Lielkalnu and Veczemju farmsteads. After aproxximetely 5 km you will reach the
magnificent Veczemu Cliffs.
Easy part of the route.
Veczemu Cliffs
3. section: Veczemu Cliffs - Tūja (1 2 km)
As the old seaside road has washed away, after enjoying splendid views of Veczemu
Cliffs, you have to push your bicycle along the coastline. And why not? As it is the best
way to see all the beauty of the place. After passing Zivtiņu oucrops and Ežurgu cliffs ,
start to look for a yellow sign which leads you up and simbolizes that you can go back on
the road and continue cycling forward. On your way towards Tūja there are several rest
areas that offer great views of Rīgas bay.
The most difficult part of the route­ suitable only for enthusiastic cyclists!
WORTH TO SEE:
1Salacgrīva­ fishing town with its glorious and rough beauty of the seashore and the
traces of the ancient Liv language are still heard in the speech of the local people.
Salacgrīva attracts tourists with a wonderful beach and large public events – the
Fishermen Festival and the popular music festival "Positivus" which is also known
outside Latvia. Friends of nature are attracted by wide rand meadows north of
Salacgrīva. These are the largest shore­side meadows and a unique natural formation
with large biological diversity and significant bird nesting places.
Tūja pier and boats plank
2Krauju stones island is the only stone island in Latvia. It is situated approximatey
200 meters from the sea shore and its shape is reminiscent of a half moon.
is a rare place in Latvia, where, booked in advance, you can
join the sea fishing (1­2 people, early in the mornings) and take a look at the old­ time
harvesting lampreys on the Svētupe river ias well as in the evenings watch the
preparatory process for lampreys and other fish.
3Campsite „Vējavas”
4Veczemu Cliffs. 480 m wide, up to 3,5 m high sandstone cliff at the sea. Deposits
from middle Devonic period, Burtnieki series. Cliffs have got many reliefs, notches,
alcoves and caves. In some places sandstone is light coloured, in northern part of cliffs
there is seen pink and bluish clay. Before the storms of January 2005 the width of cliffs
was 160 m only.
5Ķurmrags is one of the most expressive cliffs at the seashore of Vidzeme. There are
One of the most beautiful sections of the route­ rock seashore
also remains of the old light house that slipped off the cliff 15 years ago.
6Tūja pier and boats plank­ way. The construction was started in the summer of
1938. In between the boats­ the plank and Tūja brick factory railway track was built
up where they transported bricks to the factory.
7Tūja brick factory. In the year 1935 a brick­kiln operated in Tūja, clay lodes from
the Devon period were used for brick production. Bricks of high quality were
produced here and they were used to revet, for instance, Rīga’s Powder tower.
Old lighthouse in Ķurmrags
Information leaflet created by using Baltic Country Holidays "Lauku Ceļotājs" materials
Photographs: Veronika Časnoviča