Slīteres National Park
Slīteres National Park is in the Kurzeme region of Latvia.
Understand
History
In 1921, the Zalie Kalni Nature Reserve was established in the Republic of Latvia. During the Latvian SSR era, it underwent expansion, leading to the creation of the Slitere Nature Reserve. Throughout the Soviet period, the coast of the Kurland Peninsula was designated as a border zone, necessitating a pass for visitation.
In 2000, following Latvia's regaining of independence, a national park was established, based on the original reserve. This park stands as the smallest national park in Latvia, and its infrastructure is less than ideal. In particular, you are likely to encounter not only asphalt roads, but also gravel roads.
Flora and fauna
Lynx, elk and wolves roam the park, but you're unlikely to see them.
Get in
If you are driving from Riga directly to the park, then you need to go through Tukums and further along the P131 road to Kolka. The road goes along the coast of the Gulf of Riga. If you want to see something else in Courland, then it makes more sense to go through Kuldiga or Talsi to Ventspils, and from there along the P124. Both roads are slow; it takes several hours to drive from Riga.
Fees and permits
Entry to the park is free; however, there is a fee for entering Kolkasrags and for its parking.
Get around
See
- 🌍 Cape Kolka (Kolkasrags), Kolkas pagasts, ☏ +371 29149105, kolkacape@inbox.lv. Cape, lighthouse on an artificial island, sandbank, bird-watching, café, boat rental, smoked fish, fishermen villages. Also, see: http://kolkasrags.lv
- 🌍 Bažu bog (Bažu purva rezervāts). The largest swamp of the Slīteres National Park, covering 1,880 ha. The bog is not as impressive as the Great Ķemeri Moorland, but worth while you are there. A satellite image provides a good map of potential trails, many of which are artificial tracks running through the swamp in horizontal and vertical direction.
- 🌍 Slītere Lighthouse (Šlīteres bāka), ☏ +371 29444395. Sa Su 10–17:00. Located near the Šlītere Blue Mountains, 5.3 km from the coast. The 5th floor of the lighthouse is 100 m above sea level with a magnificent view of the Slitea National Park and the Baltic Sea.
Mazirbe
Mazirbe is the main settlement on the Liv Coast, the territory where the Livs, a people who once spoke a Finno-Ugric language (related to Estonian but very distant from Latvian), still reside. The Liv language has effectively become extinct, with no native speakers remaining and very few who can understand it. However, people who identify as Livs still exist, and in Mazirbe, there is a small museum dedicated to Liv culture, as well as a separate Liv Culture House.
- 🌍 Livonian Cultural Centre (Līvu tautas nams). It is expected that there should be something like a museum here, telling the history and culture of the Livs, and thematic cultural events should also take place. However, as of 2018, the building was closed for renovations. In any case, it is interesting in its own right, as it was built in 1939 according to the design of the Finnish architect Erkki Huttunen and represents a remarkable example of Finnish functionalism.
- 🌍 Livonian Folk House, Kolkas pagasts, ☏ +371 26565853, +371 25486038, livufonds@inbox.lv. The only Livonian folk house in the world, Livonian culture, exhibitions, collection of household objects, celebration of Livonian holidays.
Eat
- 🌍 Mazās Irbes pica, Mazirbe, ☏ +371 20 015 044, mazasirbespica@gmail.com. Sa 11:00–20:00; Su 11:00–17:00. Pizzeria in Mazirbe.
Sleep
Observation towers
Sometimes observation towers with roof can be good solution for overnighting in the middle of nowhere, if you got a sleeping bag and mattress.
- 🌍 Cape Kolka Observation Tower (Skatu tornis). 20 m in height. Space for 4–6 mattresses. Very windy on the top level, which could spoil the shelter functionality.
- 🌍 Šlīteres National Park Observation Tower (nearby the Šlīteres Lighthouse, right at the road). Space for 3–6 mattresses. At the road, which can be loud in the morning.
Backcountry