The Moss Trail is 800 m long and its name is related to the story “The Boys of Moss Village” by Andrejs Upītis. 3 people from Sūn village – Andrs, Ješka, Bukstiņš – wandered around these places looking for the traces of the Bear of Happiness. Walking up from the linden alley and turning left into the Moss Trail, the path seems to lead uphill. It does, and by the time they reach Kalnamuiža Lake, the walkers have risen 18 metres above the water level of the Daugava.

The trail is easy to walk and cycle on. From the very beginning, the message of A. Upītis to the seekers of happiness that “happiness is here”, so everyone in their own home, will speak to everyone. The people of the White House teach the deepest wisdom that the greatest value is family and hard work.

On the Moss Trail, you can also meet a lord of the manor and a gypsy, a forester and many colourful characters of the people of Moss, made of wood – Tauķienė and Plauķienė, Ciepsliņa, Radzieni…

People like to believe that something will bring happiness – for some, even the Bear of Happiness. He really brings happiness to every hard-working and kind-hearted person – just stroke his paws.

And at the beginning/end or at the beginning/end of the trail everyone will be greeted and accompanied by the elder of the village of Moss, Buķis and Mrs Buķienė.

In the LVM property you have to follow the rules known to all – watch, observe and remember, if you are quiet, squirrels will come to visit you, but you can see the great fur of a small predatory animal.

On the shore of Kalnamuiža Lake there is a gazebo, here you can sit, relax, have lunch. You can have a campfire, and you can see the clean water by climbing the footbridge on the lake.

The Laimes Lācis trail is also 800 m long, winding around Kalnamuiža Lake, and the Round Lake, the work of the “Moss Village Boys”. Walking along the footbridges and direction signs, you get the impression that the lake is a natural lake with two islands. But it is not. The lake was designed by Max von Sivers, the owner of Skrīveri Manor Castle and a dendrologist. The islets are reached by 2 bridges, which are illuminated during twilight hours, as is the outermost islet. The lake is home to white water lilies, which bloom profusely in summer. In spring, the green frog makes the loudest noise – small but loud. As you walk further, you can see the site of the old lake, about which there are several tales and stories. Look carefully at the trees – they are good storytellers. As you walk around the lake, you will come to the southern shore of Kalnamuiža Lake, where there is a brick water well. A blow-pump fed water to the castle and the trees of the Skrīveri Arboretum. In autumn, walk especially carefully along the trail, as you will be delighted by the aspen, snipe and boas.

Photos from the Aizkraukle TIC archive.