Limbažu Novads: Holiday apartment between lake, bog and culture

Limbažu Novads is one of three administrative areas of the Ziemeļvidzeme Biosphere Reserve. Excursion destinations range from Limbažu Lielezers and a bog nature trail to a coastal nature reserve, historic manor houses and museums. Nature observation, trails of varying lengths and cultural history come together here in a diverse regional landscape.

Nature

Limbažu Lielezers is 4.3 kilometres long and up to 6.5 metres deep. The artistically designed environmental object “Bebrs” stands at Lielezers in Limbaži. There is also a tactile map of the beach and nature trail for people with visual impairments, as well as an audio story.

The nature trail at Limbažu Lielezers is a 2.3-kilometre accessible trail connecting the town beach and the boat base with a birdwatching tower. In places, the trail runs as a wooden boardwalk through reed beds; from the birdwatching tower, there are views across the lake.

The Niedrāju-Pilkas bog nature trail is a 1-kilometre circular walk that ends at an approximately 3-metre-high viewing platform. On the coast lies Randu pļavas, a nature reserve encompassing a section of the Vidzeme coast between Ainaži and Kuiviži.

Trails

The 7-kilometre Green Way “Limbaži–Katvari” follows the route of a former railway line. It is suitable for cycling, hiking and cross-country skiing. In addition to the circular walk in the bog and the trail by the lake, this provides a longer route and several explicitly mentioned ways of getting around.

Culture and history

The “Melngaiļa sēta” Culture and Education Centre houses permanent exhibitions about the life and work of Emīls Melngailis. The Bārda Family Memorial Museum “Rumbiņi” preserves the memory of the poets Fricis Bārda, Paulīna Bārda and Antons Bārda, who were important to Latvian culture. The museum includes preserved buildings from a 19th- and 20th-century farmstead.

In its permanent exhibition “Spožas pogas, ķiveres”, the Ainažu Ugunsdzēsības muzejs presents the history of the town of Ainaži and displays exhibitions from the collection of the Latvian Firefighting Museum. Visitors can also see the volunteer fire brigade’s depot there.

The Pāles novadpētniecības muzejs documents and presents the cultural and historical heritage of the municipality of Pāle. By prior arrangement, it offers guided tours that can take place on the requested day and at the requested time. The museum is considered the only museum in Latvia where visitors can learn about the history of the Livonians in Vidzeme.

The Lībiešu muzejs Pivālind in Staicele is housed in one of the town’s oldest log houses, built in 1870. The Pivālind Museum offers insights into Livonian history and traditions, local place names and their connection with the Livonian language. The exhibition rooms and the history exhibition of the Limbaži Museum are located in the new castle of the Riga Council, built at the beginning of the 19th century, the former administrator’s building of the Pilsmuiža estate, at 7 Burtnieku Street. The Limbaži Museum also includes the exhibition “Baumaņu Kārlis and His Time” about the author of the national anthem of the Republic of Latvia, as well as the permanent exhibition “Perpetuum mobiles”.

Places and experiences

Bīriņu pils, built in 1860, preserves historic buildings and other historic objects on its estate grounds. Guided tours of the castle rooms and tower are offered there. The stables area has horses, a pony and rabbits. The Bīriņu pils manor park is ideal for peaceful walks and includes, among other places, Emīlijas Park and Mīlestības saliņa.

The Minhauzena muzejs displays weapons, hunting trophies and a wax figure of Baron Münchhausen. The Minhauzena Forest Trail offers routes of 1 kilometre, 3.4 kilometres and 4.3 kilometres, featuring 55 figures from stories depicted as wooden sculptures. The Minhauzena muzejs also includes a large wooden play ship with slides, swings and climbing elements for children.

The homemade Gogelmogels plombir ice cream is produced at “Ceplīši” in the village of Stiene according to a classic recipe using pure natural ingredients and no additives. The Svētupes muižas komplekss complex is open seasonally from June to September and hosts cultural, art, sporting and motorsport events, as well as guided tours.

More places

Other places at this destination level include Vidriži, Mustkalni, Ainaži, Bīriņi, Lāde, Vārzas, Šķirstiņi, Limbaži, Nabe, Ķirbiži, Lādezers and Kaijciems.

For the higher-level travel overview: Latvia.