Visiting the trail in the Ķemeri National Park is a good idea at any time of the year if you like spending time outdoors and are looking for a short escape from the city life in Riga.
Summer months is the time when the trail gets more visitors and may be crowded if the weather is nice and you get there in the middle of a weekend day. To get the best photos, use every photographer’s best trick- arrive there at sunrise when the rest of the world is still sleeping. Autumn, winter, and spring might be the time when Latvia is light deprived and hasn’t seen the sun for months, which means that the sunset is not always an option. However, no matter what time and season you choose, spending time outdoors will always be beneficial.
The trail is also suitable for younger nature lovers and their little feet. Click here to print a small activity book!
The trail consists of two circles. The smaller one is 1.4 km, the longest one is 3.4 km. However, only the longest will take you to the sightseeing tower that will let you enjoy the panoramic views of the surroundings. Also, take into account that there is some extra distance to be covered from the parking place to the beginning of the trail. Depending on your speed and number of photos you take, the average amount of time you need for completing the longest circle is about 2 hours. Less if you are walking without children who may slow you down.
Practical information:
Level of difficulty: easy
Best time for visiting: any
Open: always
Entrance: free (2 EUR for parking in the tourism season)
Wheelchair and stroller accessible: no, not the trail itself
Picnic spots available: yes, by the parking place
WC is available at the parking place and near the starting point of the trail.
There are a few benches along the trail to sit down and relax.
How to get there?
By car is the best option. The trail is about 50 km from Riga if you take A10 road to Ventspils. There is a sign to Lielā Ķemeru tīreļa laipa on the left side.
By train to Ķemeri. Walk about 1 km towards the A10 highway, cross it and follow the brown sign to the trail. Lots of walking with this option…
I have no personal experience with this, but it is said that during the high season one can rent a bicycle at Ķemeri train station for 5 EUR to ride to the trail and back. Good option in summer to get to the trail but I cannot imagine where to leave the bicycles while walking the trail. Let me know in the comments if this worked for you!
Read the post I published on Instagram straight after visiting the trail in winter.
Similar activities nearby here.
Click on any photo to view it closer.
