Latvian legislation prohibits economic activities on the reserve lands. This achieves a natural balance and a special balance in the territories that are unique ecosystems. Nature reserves in Latvia are four reserves where you can stay only after receiving a special permit. But the free access of travelers to the Latvian national and natural parks is not limited.
Pristine landscape
The most famous nature reserve in Latvia is Moritsala on Lake Usma. It was founded back in 1912, and even then the shores of the lake, its bays and two islands were included in the protected areas, one of which gave the name to the entire protected object.
Moritzala is unique not only for the huge number of rare species of animals and plants that live and grow here. Over the past couple of centuries, there has been no economic activity on the island of Moritzala, and therefore the authentic landscapes here look exactly the same as they did two hundred years ago.
You can get to the territory of Moritzala only if you have permission to visit the reserve from its administration. The service department, located in the Slitere National Park in the Talsi region of the republic, is in charge of issuing passes.
Walking with a sea view
The Baltic Sea is the main attraction of northern Latvia. Special nature protection zones on the seaside are perfect for ecological, hiking and cycling tourism:
- The North Vidzeme Biosphere Reserve of Latvia is six dozen kilometers of the coast of the Gulf of Riga of the Baltic and an object of international importance according to UNESCO. In addition to observing rare, but typical for this area, birds, the reserve offers hikers walks to the Red Rocks with grottoes and caves, rafting on the Salaca River, famous for its rapids, and an excursion to the sacrificial caves of Libiesu. The administration of the reserve is located in the town of Mazsalac, where you can get professional advice and assistance from a guide.
- The visiting card of Slitere Park is an old red lighthouse, soaring 82 meters into the sky. Today it serves as a museum, whose exposition tells about the history of creation and modern conservation programs of this nature reserve in Latvia. One and a half dozen routes for hikers and cyclists have been developed in the park for fans of bird watching, rare species of which significantly add to the ranks of local inhabitants during periods of seasonal migrations.
