Korneti is the administrative centre of Veclaicene municipality. The words “Korneti” and “Veclaicene” are used synonymously by the locals. This beautiful place between the lakes Ieva and Dzērve was chosen by German barons in the middle of the 18th century for the construction of a manor house. Today, only the ruins of the old manor castle remain (5 decorative corner posts of the building are visible). You can learn more about the history of Kornetai and the surrounding area in the Veclaicene History Repository, which is located in the historic House of the Guardians.

The highest point of Dzērve Hill reaches 203.5 m asl. The 27-metre-high observation tower “Korneti” is located at the top of the hill and is open to visitors 24 hours a day. The hill and the lookout tower can be reached by walking along the “Drusku pilskalna trail”, which offers a wonderful view of the Alūksne and Haanja highlands, the beautiful lakes of the Peļļu-Korneti ravine and, in good weather, even the highest peak in the Baltic States – the Great Munamägi in Estonia.

The Drusku Castle Hill Trail is not only an interesting adventure, but also an informative nature study trail where, if you look carefully, you can spot many protected plant and animal species. Information about the protected landscape area is available along the entire length of the nature trail: Eurasian beaver, 12 rare and protected bird species, forests, the importance of dead wood in nature, lakes, the Druski Mound itself and cultural history. The trail is 3.5 km long and steep, with stairs in two sections and a total length of 206 metres.

There are four more nature trails with different routes and eight cycling routes in the protected landscape area. Choose the one that suits you and come and discover the beauty of nature!

Photo by Ainars Gaidis