Saunags – Jūrtaka, Livonian Coast and Slītere National Park

Saunags is a small coastal village between Pitrags and Vaide. The village is part of the Livonian Coast, Līvõd rānda in Livonian, and combines an established cultural landscape with impressive natural surroundings. Those wishing to combine a trip with hiking, cycling, landscapes and regional history will find concrete points of interest here. The historic Livonian name of Saunags is Sǟnag; in addition, part of the village was called Dižsaunags by its inhabitants over time.

Livonian Coast and Slītere National Park

The Livonian Coast, to which Saunags belongs, is also part of Slītere National Park. The national park is designated as a Natura 2000 site and as an internationally important bird area, or IBA for short. Its territory includes sandy coastal beaches and dunes, dry meadows, dry pine forests on dunes and coastal waters. The old cultural landscape and distinctive natural landscapes have been preserved along the Līvõd rānda. This connection is useful when planning your trip if you are weighing up a day at the beach, paths through the forest or an interest in a coastal region rich in tradition.

Hiking on the Jūrtaka

One particularly clearly described hiking option is Stage 15 of the Jūrtaka. It runs for 13 km from the centre of Saunags to Kolkasrags, passes through Slītere National Park and takes approximately 5–7 hours. The route passes through Saunags, Vaide and Kolkasrags. The Saunags–Vaide section can be walked along the beach. Between Vaide and Kolka, there is also an alternative via a forest path marked by yellow markings on the trees or with bicycle route sign 558. When the water level is low, the Vecročupe can be waded across on this stage. This information helps you combine a longer hike with your preferred type of path; when travelling with children of different ages, you should particularly take the route length and approximate duration into account when planning the day.

Cycling through the Livonian villages

Saunags also offers a concrete regional connection for a cycling trip. The cycling route “Pa lībiešu ciemiem” runs through Kolka, Vaide, Saunags, Pitrags, Košrags, Mazirbe and Sīkrags. Through the villages, there is a forest-path option, partly on gravel. In addition, there is an option via the paved Kolka–Ventspils road and an option along the beach. This allows you to focus your planning more strongly on forest paths, gravel, asphalt or the beach section without mixing up the different route options.

Discover history in the village

The cultural side of Saunags includes the medieval Veckapu kalns cemetery. The cemetery can be visited near the houses of Nigliņa; at Nigliņi, Veckapu kalns is designated as an archaeological monument of local significance. The Piltene Register of 1582/1583 mentions the village of Saunags with eight farmsteads. This historical trace adds an insight into the coast’s long settlement history to the experience of its landscape.

Which accommodation suits your travel plans?

If you are looking for a holiday apartment or holiday house in Saunags, you can base your choice on your preferred daily rhythm. For the Jūrtaka, it is relevant that the described stage begins in the centre of Saunags. For cycle tourists, the village’s integration into the “Pa lībiešu ciemiem” route, with its different surfaces, is important. Those interested in history can include a visit to Veckapu kalns in their stay. First decide whether your days should be shaped primarily by a 13 km hiking stage, a cycling route through several Livonian villages, or by the landscape and local history.

For further orientation, you can also consider Dundaga, Košrags, Kolka, Mazirbe, Pitrags and Dūmele.

For the overarching travel overview: Dundagas Novads.