Discover Lāde: Lakes, History and Trails

Lāde offers a variety of discoveries for a trip: historic buildings, lakeshores, marked trails on former railway lines and special places related to medicinal plants and regional excursions.

Historical Traces at Lake Lāde

One of the notable sights is the medieval Nabes Castle. It has been included in the state register of protected cultural monuments as an archaeological monument of national significance. The tower of the medieval Nabes Castle, also called Nabben, stands on the southwestern shore of Lake Lāde. A residential tower from the outer castle of Nabes has survived to this day; it was first mentioned in writing in 1318. This creates a historical focal point where visitors can explore different periods of the area’s architectural and settlement history.

Lāde Manor is also one of the destination’s cultural points of interest. The manor house was built in 1870 in the Classicist style during the tenure of the manor lessee Heinrihs Bērens von Rautenfeld. Lāde Manor is located on the eastern shore of Lake Lāde. Another historic stop is Jaunlādes muiža, the former Lāde primary school. It is located on the eastern shore of Lake Auziņu and was built in 1933. The Lāde Library is located at “Lādes Vītoli” in Lāde and can serve as an additional point of orientation in the town.

Cycling and Hiking on Marked Routes

For active days, the Lāde–Aloja Greenway route offers a specific route idea. The section begins at Lāde railway station, passes through Limbaži and continues to Aloja. The “Zaļie dzelzceļi” network uses former railway lines for cycling and hiking trails. The “Zaļie dzelzceļi” route and its connecting sections are marked. The Mucenieku Bridge is also located on the Lāde–Limbaži section of the Greenway route.

The route can also be combined with a culinary break: On the route section between Lāde railway station and Limbaži, you can visit the N. Bomja “Lielezers” bakery and shop there. For families or travel groups with different interests, this is an opportunity to combine an active excursion with a specific stop without devoting the entire day exclusively to one sight.

Lakes, Medicinal Plants and Relaxation

On the eastern shore of Lake Auziņu, near “Avotiņi”, there is a functional open-air exhibition by Jānis Ulmis on medicinal plants, featuring more than 300 plants. Visitors to the exhibition can learn how to prepare medicinal teas and other plant-based preparations. This makes the site a special excursion destination for anyone who would like to combine observing nature with practical insights.

Licensed fishing and boat rental are available at the “Skariņu” recreation base. In the immediate vicinity of the destination, the “Lādes ezers” association offered boat rental. In this way, experiences on the water complement the cultural and sporting themes. Whether you are planning a day on marked trails, at historic sites or taking part in an activity on the lake, Lāde offers several different travel ideas that can be taken into account when choosing accommodation.

Which Accommodation Suits Your Travel Plans?

When looking for a holiday apartment in Lāde, it is worth first deciding on your preferred daily routine. Those who want to combine cycling and hiking can include the Greenway route, Lāde railway station, Limbaži, the Mucenieku Bridge and shopping at N. Bomja “Lielezers” in their plans. For travelers interested in culture, Nabes Castle, the surviving residential tower, Lāde Manor and Jaunlādes muiža are the main attractions. Those who prefer quieter experiences can include the lakeshores, the medicinal plant exhibition near “Avotiņi” or the facilities at the “Skariņu” recreation base.

In this way, choosing accommodation in Lāde becomes not only a question of where to spend the night, but a decision based on your own type of travel: historical discoveries, active trails, nature-related experiences or days by the water. A holiday apartment or holiday home can serve as a starting point for your travel plans without requiring all excursions to follow the same pattern.

More Places for Planning Your Trip

If you would like to compare Lāde with other places in the surrounding area, here are the nearest points of interest: Bīriņi, Mustkalni, Ķirbiži, Ainaži, Nabe, Vidriži, Kaijciems and Lādezers.

To the higher-level travel overview: Limbažu Novads.