Listen to the audio of the trail:

Description:

This is a completely new nature trail built in the end of 2018. The trail stretches along Lake Usma, which is the sixth largest lake in Latvia for its total area and the second – for its water storage capacity. The trail opens the view to the fabulous and famous Morics Island, also mentioned in Latvian songs. The island is part of the Moricsala Nature Reserve with a total area of 818 ha. It is the second oldest nature reserve in Europe, founded in 1912. In 1727, the Saxon Count named Morics, fleeing from the Russian troops, retreated to the island with his soldiers. However, seeing the predominance of the Russian troops, the Count decided to flee from the island under the guise of the night, and went to Ventspils, later becoming the famous French army marshal. Since then, the island has been called Moricsala, although it was originally called the Fish Island. The island has an invaluable natural value, as it is home to 1/5 of all Latvian plants and many valuable insect species.

Download the GPX of the trail

In order to open the GPX file with the trail route on a mobile phone or computer, please install one of the hiking apps or maps, e.g., Wikiloc, Outdooractive, ViewRanger, OS Maps or any other GPX file reading programme or application.

Location: Usma

Suggested starting point: Open-air sanctuary

Starting poing of the trail in the map: Lat:57.20721,Lon: 22.15261

Accessibility:

Hiking time: 15 min

Distance: 0,7 km 

Marking: Not marked, but can easily follow the trail

Type: Loop

Difficulty: 

Trail surface:Wooden boardwalk, path

 (During rain and in winter the trail is slippery)

Facilities: 

Getting there: by car, by bus

Rules to follow: 

Trail administrator: Usma Parish Council, +371 29287631, usma@ventspilsnd.lv

Info: Ventspils Tourism Information Centre, 6 Dārzu Street (Ventspils Ferry Passenger Terminal, 1st Floor), +371 29232226, tourism@ventspils.lv, www.visitventspils.com

Closest shops: Spāre, Ugāle, Pope

Closest gas stations: Ugāle