Grāveri between lakes, nature and cycling routes

Grāveri combines a distinctive lake landscape with regional cycling routes and cultural traces. Those planning a trip with nature observation, water experiences and excursions can combine different focuses here. When choosing a holiday apartment, it is worth considering your personal daily rhythm: should the stay focus primarily on Lake Velnezers, a cycling tour, other lakes or the history of the town?

Lake Velnezers and protected landscape

Lake Velnezers, with its clear green-blue water, lies in the surroundings of Grāveri. The lake is 17 metres deep; in some places, visibility reaches down to a depth of 12 metres. The 53-hectare protected area “Čertoka ezers (Valnezers)” surrounds Lake Velnezers, protects the lake’s ecosystem and the surrounding landscape, and was established in 1977.

In the wider surroundings of Grāveri, the recreation area at Lake Velnezers offers several specific points of interest: a viewing platform on the water, an elevated observation platform and an almost 700-metre circular path around the lake. This allows the visit to be organised in different ways, for example with a walk, views across the water or a deliberate pause at the platforms. When planning your visit, you should consider which of these experiences you would like to give the greatest emphasis.

Other lakes and activities

Lake Cārmaņa also adds to the natural character of the surrounding area. Its highly indented shoreline and wooded banks define the lake. There are also specially protected habitats and the specially protected plant species mieturu hidrilla. Those interested in different forms of landscape can include Lake Velnezers and Lake Cārmaņa in their travel plans as two distinct nature themes.

In the surroundings of Grāveri, the “Locu sala” holiday village offers boats, kayaks, SUP boards and fishing opportunities. This selection opens up various possibilities for spending time by the water, without every activity requiring the same daily routine. Accommodation in Grāveri can therefore be a suitable option if you would like to combine trips to the lakes with more active or more relaxed days.

Discover Grāveri by bicycle and on the road

A local cycling route connects Aglona, Grāveri, Kombuļi, Krāslava railway station and Krāslava. In addition, the section of the Ezerzemes route that passes through Grāveri is designated as a recommended EuroVelo 11 route. For cycle tourists, this makes the town an interesting reference point within a larger route plan. The P60 first-class state road is paved and has a 6–7-metre-wide carriageway. You can take such specific details into account when preparing your individual arrival and excursions.

Local history and travel planning

Grāveri is home to the Orthodox Archangel Michael Church at 34 Ezeru Street. Grāveri is also recorded as the home village of Metropolitan Alexander (Kudrjašovs). These details complement the natural experiences with a local and biographical perspective. If, in addition to lakes and cycling routes, you would like to discover cultural traces, you can include this aspect in your exploration without limiting your stay to a single theme.

When searching for a holiday apartment in Grāveri, the planned combination is therefore particularly important: nature at Lake Velnezers, other landscapes, water activities, cycling routes or local history.

If you would like to extend your trip beyond Grāveri, you can also include Aglona, Priežmale and Ladiškina in your further planning.

For the overall travel overview: Aglonas Novads.