Walk : Baltic Coast              route map

 

Description

 

The unspoilt silver sands of the shores of the Gulf of Riga stretch for miles east and west of Riga and are fringed with sand dunes and pine forests.  Jurmala, with restored traditional wooden villas has long been a favourite resort of Latvians.

This walk is as good in winter, when the Baltic is frozen, as in summer, when you won’t be able to resist a swim.

Duration

anything from half-an-hour to all day

Suggested Itinerary

 

The suggested walk visits the coast at Jurmala. The railway runs parallel to the coast, so you can start at any station and finish at any other.

Alternatives would be Vecaki or Saulkrasti (below).

Airport

Riga

Accommodation at start

Numerous hotels in Riga.  See airport page for links.

Transport to start

Take a train from Riga on the Tukums line (most have destination Sloka). There is no station named Jurmala, but the stations in sequence along this stretch of coast are : Lielupe, Bulduri, Dzintari, Majori, Dubulti, Jaundubulti, Pumpuri, Melluži, Asari, Vaivari. The one closest to Jurmala centre is Majori.  Trains run about every half-hour and the journey takes about 35-45 minutes.

 

For Vecaki or Saulkrasti, take the Skulte line.  Trains are roughly hourly and take an hour to reach Saulkrasti.

 

Train times at LDZ (select Electric trains, Tukums or Skulte tab)

Route

 

Get off the train at any station, head north to the coast, turn left or right and keep going until it’s time to go home.

 

From Vecaki you can walk west to the mouth of the Daugava river, which prevents you reaching Jurmala, or east to the mouth of the Gauja river (see Sigulda walk), which prevents you reaching Saulkrasti.

Waymarking and terrain

It’s a beach; keep the sea on one side and the land on the other.  Exit routes back to the railway are well signed.

 

Transport from end

as start

Accommodation at end

as start

Maps

 

Jana Seta 1:100,000 map ‘Rigas Rajons’ (Riga Region) is all you need. This has enlargement of Saulkrasti area on reverse.

Jana Seta 1:20,000 map ‘Jurmala’ shows more detail and has photographs, history and tourist information in English on the reverse.

Comments

 

 

 

The frozen Baltic

The Daugava estuary

Jurmala

 

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Comments are welcome – mail me at John@Jomidav.com