The Lustiņdruva Trail is located in a specially protected nature area – the North Vidzeme Biosphere Reserve. Historically, Lustindruva was already used as a recreation area in the times of the manor and the First Free State, during which period the manor gardener created walking paths in the forest.

Let’s go:

First, when standing in front of the map pavilion, look around you! The big pine tree behind you is the Midsummer Gathering Pine. It is about 200 years old.

Let’s follow the signs and go into the forest! After 50 steps from here, turn right into the first path that leads into the forest. The Insect Hotel is waiting for you at the top of the first hill .

It was built in April 2014 under the guidance of artist Raimonds Bričs, then during the Forest Days, under the guidance of Professor Voldemārs Spuņģs and naturalist Maris Olte, volunteers filled it with rattles, reeds, clay bricks and other natural materials suited to the lifestyle of different insects. On the other side of the Insect Hotel is the Insect Café, behind it is a steep cliff – Ellīte.

Follow the path and you will come to a crossroads – on the right the path leads you through the former bottom of the mill lake, over a bridge, to the Community Centre. If you are observant, there are many not-so-common plants growing here (windmill, bank-rush, small-flowered fireweed, bulbuls, river buttercup, etc.c)

Going straight ahead, you can’t miss the Big Chair, which will be very useful if you have a jubilarian in your party, but if not, from there you can observe the surroundings, count anthills, bird cages and enjoy the 200-year-old pine trees, which are one of the greatest assets of this habitat. Songs sung in this place resonate far away.

Then the path leads to the Great Rati, which serves as a grandstand for forest competitions or just for relaxing.

Then along the Hare Trail you reach the Forest Telephone. Ask your companions to go down the stairs from the cliff and there is a second Forest Telephone. The conversation can begin! No money, no credit card, you’ll know everything!

Crossing the Kire Bridge, on the other side there is the Big Table and Miss Box where you can sit and eat the sandwiches you brought with you.

When you come out of the yard of the parish administration, to the left of the information stand, you will see a rope attraction – sit and ride!

There is a car park.

GPS: 57.8176557, 25.6139854

Photos from the archives of Valka TIC.