After years of guiding nature tours in Latvia, I’ve come to appreciate how much variety the country offers within a small area. Forests, bogs, rivers, and wild coastline often sit just a short drive apart, yet each feels completely different once you step into it.
This article brings together what I consider the top 10 nature tour destinations in Latvia — places that consistently work for hiking, kayaking, bog walking, and coastal exploration. I return to these destinations with guests again and again. Each time, I adjust the routes based on season, weather, and pace.
This is not meant to be the final word. Latvia has far more to offer, and this list will grow over time. But if you’re looking for the best places to experience nature tours in Latvia, this is the right place to start.
1. Ķemeri National Park — Bogs, Wetlands & Forest Trails Near Riga
If I had to choose just one place to introduce Latvia’s nature, it would be Ķemeri National Park. Vast raised bogs, sulphur springs, wetland forests, and rich birdlife shape a landscape that feels unlike anything most visitors have experienced before.
Bog boardwalk walks work well throughout the year. In addition, bogshoe walking opens access to quieter sections beyond the main paths. Early mornings and shoulder seasons usually offer the best conditions.
Depending on time and interest, visitors can explore Ķemeri in different ways. Short visits often focus on the Great Ķemeri Bog Discovery. Longer days allow for the more immersive Best of Ķemeri National Park in One Day. An excellent alternative is the Great Ķemeri Bog and Sloka Swamp Forest Hiking Adventure, which combines bog landscapes with forest ecosystems.
At the same time, bogs are not limited to Ķemeri. More than 10% of Latvia is covered by bogs. Similar landscapes can be found in places like Cenas Tīrelis (Cena Mire) near Riga and across Vidzeme and Kurzeme.
2. Gauja National Park — Forest Hiking and the Best Kayaking in Latvia
Gauja National Park is one of the most versatile nature tour destinations in Latvia. Sandstone cliffs, mixed forests, and wide river valleys make it ideal for both hiking and water-based activities.
While many visitors associate Gauja with hiking, it is also the best place for kayaking in Latvia. The Gauja River flows gently through the park. As a result, paddlers experience long scenic bends, sandstone outcrops, and a strong sense of moving through the landscape.
This is why the Gauja River Valley one-day kayaking trip has become one of the most popular kayaking routes for travelers staying in Riga or in Sigulda. It combines active paddling with relaxed pacing and nature interpretation.
In addition, Gauja National Park holds some of the most beautiful sections of the Forest Hiking Trail (Mežtaka). This route forms Latvia’s section of the long-distance Baltic forest trail and adds even more value for forest hiking in Latvia.
3. Baltic Coastal Hiking Route (Latvia Section) — Wild Coast & Long Beaches
Latvia’s coastline stretches for almost 500 km. Outside the main resort areas, it remains surprisingly undeveloped. The Baltic Coastal Hiking Route (E9) follows dunes, pine forests, fishing villages, and long, open beaches.
Walking the entire Latvian section would take weeks. However, coastal hiking features prominently in two- and three-day nature tours, where the most scenic sections are combined into manageable itineraries.
For this reason, the coastal route remains one of the best examples of slow Latvia nature travel, especially outside the peak summer season.
4. Slītere National Park & Cape Kolka — One of Latvia’s Wildest Day Hikes
Where the Baltic Sea meets the Gulf of Riga, the landscape changes dramatically. Pine forests, dunes, windswept beaches and small Liivs’ fishermen willages define this remote corner of Latvia.
Being two hours drive from Riga this area works still works well as a long and immersive day hike and sighseeing for those ready for a proper full day remote experience. The Kolka Cape and Slītere National Park coastal hiking tour offers one of the most complete single-day nature tours in Latvia in for active travellers.
5. Abava River Valley — Canoeing Through Rolling Landscapes
The Abava River is one of my favourite routes for relaxed kayaking and canoeing in Latvia. The current remains gentle, while the landscape alternates between forested banks and open farmland.
Often, kayaking here is combined with short hikes or countryside stops. As a result, the experience feels balanced rather than purely athletic. Abava River Valley in One-Day Kayaking & Sightseeing Trip would be a good fit for a full day expereince here.
6. Salaca River — Northern Latvia’s Classic Kayaking Route
The Salaca River ranks among the most popular rivers for kayaking and canoeing in Latvia, especially during summer. Plenty of water compared to some smaller rivers, sandstone cliffs that rival the beauty of those in the Gauja Valley, and easy access points make it ideal for both day trips and overnight paddling.
However, water levels and timing still matter. Therefore, local planning plays a key role in avoiding crowded sections.
7. Forest Hiking Trail (Mežtaka) — Deep Forest Travel Across Latvia
The Forest Hiking Trail crosses Latvia from south to north. Along the way, it connects national parks, river valleys, rural villages, and long forest sections.
Most visitors do not need to walk the entire route. Instead, many forest hiking tours in Latvia focus on the most scenic sections, particularly in Gauja National Park and Vidzeme.
8. Latgale Lakes — Multi-Day Kayaking in Eastern Latvia
Eastern Latvia is shaped by water, and Latgale’s lake districts offer some of the calmest and most atmospheric kayaking destinations in Latvia. Island-dotted lakes, reed beds, and quiet shorelines create ideal conditions for slow, immersive travel.
Because of the distance from Riga, Latgale works best as a minimum two- or three-day trip. Short visits rarely do the region justice. Instead, travellers can inquire for authentic custom-made 2–3 day kayaking journeys, often combined with visits to Rāzna National Park, one of Latvia’s most scenic inland lake landscapes.
These trips usually include overnight stays in local guesthouses and the chance to try food specific to Eastern Latvia — simple, regional dishes that reflect the area’s cultural character. As a result, Latgale stands out as one of the best regions for travellers looking to combine nature tours in Latvia with deeper local experiences.
9. Piejūra Nature Park — Easy Coastal Nature Tours in Latvia Near Riga
Just east of Riga, Piejūra Nature Park combines forest trails, dunes, and quiet beaches, all within easy reach of the city.
Thanks to its proximity — including sections that run through Riga itself — the park is ideal for a half-day nature tour from Riga, especially in spring and autumn. Four Natural Ecosystems in One Hike is a great example of how much variety can be experienced in a short walk.
10. Kayaking & SUP in Riga — Urban Nature on the Water
Nature experiences do not always require leaving the city. Kayaking in Riga or paddling on a SUP reveals green riverbanks, canals, and a slower rhythm hidden from street level.
Local pioneers like Lūzumpunkts helped establish Riga as a genuine urban paddling destination. For the best experience, early mornings and evenings work best.
Planning Nature Tours in Latvia
Latvia works best for travellers who value:
- Small groups and private tours,
- Flexible itineraries,
- A balance of hiking, water activities, sighseeing and rest.
Many destinations listed above appear across different tours depending on season and conditions. This overview covers the core nature tour destinations in Latvia.
For more locally grounded stories and ideas, explore the our blog.
And if you’d like to explore these unique natural places in a more personal way, it’s always possible to shape a custom-made trip around your interests, timing, and pace.
Final Note from a Local Guide
Latvia delivers memorable natural landmarks at every turn — wide bog horizons, river-carved valleys, deep forests, and open coastlines — inviting you to explore them actively and without rushing.
That’s why the best nature tours in Latvia are shaped by local knowledge, good timing, and respect for the land — not by rushing to tick off all the highlights.
See you in the Baltic outdoors,
Rolands from Baltic Nature Adventures
