Dūmele: Lake History, Forest Paths and Cycling Route

Dūmele combines a multifaceted landscape history with paths and experiences for days planned in different ways. The former Dieviņezers is at the centre, with the village situated on its northwestern side. Those looking for a holiday apartment or holiday house for their trip can therefore regard Dūmele as a starting point for historical discoveries, a cycling tour and quiet impressions of the landscape.

The History of the Former Dieviņezers

The former Dieviņezers was once one of the largest lakes in Courland. It was 7.5 kilometres long and 1.6 kilometres wide. Today, it is not a present-day lake but the memory of this former watery landscape that shapes the character of the surroundings. The Dūmeles ezerpļavas are associated with legends and stories about the former Vīdala (Dieviņa) Lake, giving the landscape a special cultural dimension.

The drainage of the lake is also part of Dūmele’s history. In 1838, a canal was dug to drain the water of the former Dieviņezers into the sea. After it was drained, old tree stumps and ship remains were found on the lakebed. These details make the former extent of the lake imaginable without confusing the historical landscape with a present-day body of water.

Cycling Route and Paths through the Landscape

For an active day, the Gar Dižjūr un Mazjūr cycling route (Slīteres aplis) passes through Dūmele. This allows you to include the village in a cycling tour and complement your historical exploration with movement through the landscape. Families or travel groups with different interests can therefore give their days different emphases: a cycling tour creates a different focus from exploring the stories surrounding the former lake.

Another distinctive route connection is offered by Apakšceļš, a secluded old path surrounded by forest between Košrags and Dūmele. The path is connected with a former horse track that crossed the Bažu purvs. Apakšceļš thus points not only to the present-day landscape but also to a former connection through the area. The Dūmeles dižakmens is also considered an impressive erratic boulder and complements the natural features you can discover while exploring Dūmele.

Which Accommodation Location Suits Your Holiday?

When looking for accommodation in Dūmele, it is worth first defining the focus you want for your trip. If you are interested in historical landscapes and stories, the history of the former Dieviņezers comes to the fore. If you would rather spend the day on a cycling tour, the cycling route passing through Dūmele is an important reference point. The Apakšceļš forest path, in turn, is suited to travel plans in which old routes and the character of the landscape play a role.

Dūmele therefore remains more than simply a place to spend the night: the former lake, its drainage, the legends of the Dūmeles ezerpļavas, the cycling route and Apakšceļš offer several ways of approaching the same landscape. For further regional orientation, you can also view Košrags, Saunags, Pitrags, Kolka, Dundaga and Mazirbe.

For the overarching travel overview: Dundagas Novads.