Vacation apartment in Mārupe – nature, cycling routes and aviation

Mārupe offers bog landscapes, the shallow Lake Babīte, pine forests, and cycling and hiking trails. There are also insights into Latvian aviation history, a rhododendron nursery, and Cycling Route No. 3, which runs along the runway of Riga Airport. Between nature observation, physical activity, and culture, this creates a diverse picture of the region.

Nature

Beberbeķi Nature Park covers 275 ha and protects biologically valuable pine stands and dune relief. At different times of year, the park is used for recreation and walking; when there is snow, its dune relief is suitable for skiing. The “Mārupe–Beberbeķu dabas parks” cycling route leads to this nature park with its unique pine forest, dunes, and Lake Beberbeķi.

Lake Babīte is a shallow, gradually silting coastal lagoon lake with an area of 2,988 ha and an average depth of 1–2 m. It is one of Latvia’s ten outstanding birdwatching sites. A total of 184 bird species have been recorded there, 36 of which breed at the lake. The embankment at Lake Babīte is used for walking, while the lake is used for fishing. Thirteen protected bird species have been recorded in Melnā ezera purvs; the area is an important nesting and resting site for birds during migration.

The Medema Bog covers 3,400 ha. In relatively undisturbed areas, it features characteristics of raised and transitional bogs, forested habitats, and diverse large-mammal fauna. More than 100 bird species have been recorded in the vicinity of the Medema Bog; the Mārupīte River also rises there. Jaunmārupe Nature Park is located by the Pavasari Reservoir and has been a locally protected area since 2000. It contains a naturally formed network of paths.

Cycling and hiking trails

Cyclists can choose from routes of varying lengths and surfaces. Marked Cycling Path No. 114 is 32.64 km long; 15.8 km of it runs on a sandy surface and 17.24 km on asphalt. The “Mārupe–RIX Rīgas lidosta” cycling route passes the former Bieriņmuiža (Lindenruh), the hunting lodge of the Bērēni von Rautenfeld family. Route No. 3, “Mārupe–Beberbeķu dabas parks,” runs along the runway of Riga Airport and allows visitors to observe air traffic from close range.

The “Mārupes lielais und mazais loks” cycling route is suitable for easy evening or weekend rides alone, with friends, or with family. Cycling Route No. 2, “Mārupe–Jaunmārupe,” is intended for leisure activities and visiting places of interest in Mārupe and Jaunmārupe. Another route leads from Jaunmārupe to Cenas tīrelis, a specially protected nature reserve with a 5 km boardwalk and a 6 m-high observation tower.

The hiking trail through the Medema Bog has a small observation platform as well as white and yellow wayfinding markings. From the starting point, it is 7 km in total, out and back. The free audio guide “Medema purvs – soli pa solim” is available via the izi.Travel app. It covers approximately 2.3 km in one direction, or 4.6 km round trip, and leads from the first bridge over the ditch to the raised bog.

The “Jaunmārupe–Božu ūdenskrātuve” cycling route also showcases various landscapes: it passes through Jaunmārupe with its horse pastures, by the extensive grounds of the golf club, and along paths through pine forests to the Boži Reservoir. The 23rd section of the “Jūrtaka” hiking trail, called “Bulduri–Rīgas centrs,” runs for 1 km through Mežāres in Babītes pagasts.

Water and other activities

A lit promenade with benches runs between Jaunmārupe Nature Park and the Pavasari Reservoir. In Salas pagasts, there are opportunities for active leisure activities on the waters of Lake Babīte and the Lielupe River. Horseback riding is one of the activities that characterizes Mārupes pagasts and the town of Mārupe.

Culture and aviation

In spring and early summer, the “Babīte” Rhododendron Breeding and Experimental Nursery of the University of Latvia attracts visitors. The Rīgas aviācijas tehnikas muzejs offers a different focus. It is the only museum of its kind in Latvia and has one of the largest aviation collections in Europe. The Aviation Technical Museum has 47 exhibits; visitors can also view the cockpit of a Mi-6 helicopter there.

There are two aircraft observation sites in the Skulte area. One of them is located at the end of the extended runway, on the glide path. From there, aircraft can be seen from below as they take off or land. The Mārupes Tourism and Crafts House is located at Bebru iela 10 in Mārupe, Mārupes novads, LV-2167.

More destinations

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To the higher-level travel overview: Latvia.