Turna: Lakes, Camino and Handicrafts

Turna combines a distinctive lake landscape with rural paths, wetland areas and a varied Camino stage. Those who choose a holiday apartment or other accommodation in Turna for their trip can combine nature experiences, regional traditions and a notable route. When planning, it is worth deciding in advance whether the main focus should be on water, hiking, observing the landscape or cultural impressions.

Lakes around Turna

The Turna lake group is located in northern Latvia, in the Ērģemes pagasts and Kārķu pagasts municipalities of Valkas novads. Its largest lake is Valdis, also known as Valžezers. The lake covers 24.8 hectares and is described as a public subglacial drainage lake southwest of Turna. The same lake group also includes Kukris, with an area of 21.9 hectares. This creates a landscape in which each body of water retains its own character and name.

A specific point of reference is the Turna–Strenči Camino stage. It starts at the community centre, heads towards the sports field and runs mostly along rural paths. On the route, you cross the Seda River; the stage also passes through the Ziemeļvidzeme Biosphere Reserve. In the reserve’s wetland area, gathering places of birds can be observed. Lake Rūķu lies to the left of the road and adds another element to the sequence of diverse landscape impressions along the route.

Practical information about the Camino stage

Special planning is important for the 2026 season: Walking the wetland paths in the Seda Moor may be difficult and potentially somewhat dangerous because of road construction work. Some markings may also be missing during the works. Take this circumstance into account when choosing your route and planning the timing of your excursion.

About 500 metres after starting at the community centre, there is a bathing area on the shore of Lake Valdis established by the Latvian State Forests. It has a changing cabin and a table. Valdis is one of the most visited bathing areas in Valkas novads. Samples of the bathing water were collected and tested there on 2 June 2026. The lake can therefore be included in your travel plans both as a prominent landscape feature and as a destination in its own right.

Traditions and regional experiences

The events calendar and local handicrafts also give the area around Turna a cultural dimension. “Lieldienas Ērģemes pagastā” takes place every year on Easter Monday in the Ērģemes pagasts municipality. The “Lieldienu zaķa skrējiens” run follows a six-kilometre route from Ērģeme to Turna. The two offerings have different emphases: one centres on a regional Easter event, while the other follows a set route between two locations.

The “Caka” handicraft group offers an insight into traditional skills. It has existed since 2009, preserves traditional skills, passes them on to the next generation and encourages people to discover the world of handicrafts. A holiday apartment in Turna is particularly suitable as a search option when the Camino stage starting in the town and the lake landscape are central to your plans.

More destinations in the travel section

For further orientation, you can also visit the pages on Ērģeme, Valka, Omuļi and Zaķi. This allows you to combine the search for suitable accommodation with further regional impressions without losing sight of Turna’s distinctive character.

To the higher-level travel overview: Valkas Novads.