What do you do when your travel list is bursting with must-see places along the Kurzeme coastline, and you need a break in nature to recharge your batteries? You plan the perfect day trip, pack a picnic, and hit the road. This road trip to Kurzeme combines enchanting nature trails, encounters with friendly wild horses, and a tranquil finale at the Kolka Cape.
“It was calm and beautiful—a chance to wander, breathe deeply, and reset.”
Your road trip to Kurzeme starts with a stop that’s technically not in Kurzeme but along the way…
Stop 1 of Kurzeme sea-side road trip
Lāčupīte Arboretum Nature Park
Chances are you’ve been to this area before, as it’s known for its pristine white sand beaches, just a short distance from Riga. However, you might have missed the enchanting nature trail here, which is famous for its vibrant botanical plantings and picturesque wooden cottages.
Lāčupīte Arboretum Nature trail feels like stepping into a hidden, romantic jungle. Winding paths are shaded by rhododendrons (a must-see when in bloom), and charming details create an almost dreamlike atmosphere. Whether you’re here to lose yourself in thought or take a thousand photos, it’s the perfect start to your Kurzeme road trip.
From Lāčupīte, it’s just a short drive to our next stop.
Stop 2 of Kurzeme sea-side road trip
Engure’s Old Pier
Here, irregularly shaped stones extend outward from the shore into the water, where waves crash in dramatic bursts. The stones’ varied shapes and colors create a natural mosaic that is a photographer’s dream.
It’s an ideal spot for a quick pause—a 10-minute detour on your Kurzeme roadtrip to snap some photos and enjoy the refreshing breeze. And if you feel like lingering longer, a wide sandy beach right next door offers the perfect place for a picnic you hopefully packed with you.
But if not, let’s continue our road trip to Kurzeme with another adventure.
Stop 3 of Kurzeme sea-side road trip
Engure Lake Meadows Nature Park
A lush green meadow blends seamlessly into a shimmering lake, where wild horses and cows roam freely across the expansive field. Watching their carefree adventures is a joy in itself.
For me, this place embodied freedom—a moment of pure serenity.
Hope you’re not tired yet! As we still have some fun stops planned for our Kurzeme road trip. But if you are – feel free to call it a day here.
Stop 4 of Kurzeme sea-side road trip
Kaltenes Kalvas Nature trail
Next, venture to the Kaltenes Kalvas Nature Trail. This hidden gem in Kurzeme feels like a pocket-sized version of the mystical Pokaiņi Forest. The trail’s rugged beauty lies in its thick, untamed woods, where moss-covered rocks of all sizes lie scattered across the forest floor. According to legend, the Devil himself scattered these stones here.
What an adventure it has been so far. But we are ready for our last stop of the day in Kurzeme.
Stop 5 of Kurzeme sea-side road trip
What would Kurzeme road trip be without Kolka?
Kolka observation tower
Kolka is a place where the land meets the sea in a breathtaking dance. Begin your visit with a climb up the 16-meter-tall wooden lookout tower, where the panoramic views were nothing short of spectacular.
From there, you can wonder barefoot along the beach, the water lapping at your feet as you make your way to the very tip of Kolka Cape. Along the way, the forest revealed its quirky barrel-shaped cottages, adding a dash of whimsy to the journey.
Kolka Cape (Kolkasrags)
At the cape’s end, you’ll find a small pile of stones—the weathered remnants of an old lighthouse. With every storm, the pile grows smaller, and one day, it may vanish entirely. But for now, it stands as a quiet monument to the past, with the silhouette of the current lighthouse visible far out at sea.
At first, I struggled to see what made this beach special compared to others. But there are 2 points of subtle magic:
Two Waters, Two Temperatures: On one side of the cape is the sea; on the other, the gulf. Test the waters—often, they feel different! One side may surprise you by being warmer than the other.
Colliding Waves: At the cape’s tip, waves often meet from opposite directions, crashing together at an angle. Unfortunately, the wind wasn’t in our favor, so we missed this phenomenon during our visit—but it’s something to look out for.
As the day winds down, our road trip to Kurzeme is coming to an end. But Kolka is renowned for its stunning sunsets, so if you plan to stay the night here, be sure to witness the sun dip below the horizon—a truly unforgettable experience. If not then have a safe journey back home or to your accommodation for the night.
Thoughts?
This journey offered exactly what we were looking for: peaceful moments, breathtaking scenery, and a chance to recharge. By the end of the day, I felt deeply satisfied with our itinerary—and delightfully tired.
While we managed to fit everything into a single day, there was a lot of walking, so this road trip to Kurzeme could easily be spread across two days for a more relaxed pace.
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