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For the trail · alpventurer.com/zilo-kalnu-karjers

Zilo Kalnu Karjers, a great spot for an outdoor trip

Zilo Kalnu Karjers · Latvia

In short

Zilo Kalnu Karjers is a forest and lake destination near Ikšķile, Latvia, with trails for walking, running and swimming. The guide describes walking through the forest to Dubkalnu Karjers and an observation tower. Carry around 2 litres of water, as there is no nearby water source.

What to pack

Every hike

  • Water: half a litre for every hour of walking
  • Food and snacks for the day
  • Rain jacket
  • A warm layer (fleece or light down)
  • Sun cap, sunglasses and sun cream
  • Boots or trail shoes with good grip
  • Phone with the map offline, and a power bank
  • Small first aid kit
  • Headlamp, in case it gets late
  • Some cash and your ID

Water and sun

  • Swimsuit and a quick-dry towel, if you fancy a dip

The guide

Zilo Kalnu Karjers National Park is one of the most beautiful outdoor destinations in Latvia, located near the capital city of Riga. It offers a great outdoor experience for everyone, with activities such as hiking, running, swimming, and more.

A hiker in a red jacket overlooks the snow covered quarry and forest at Zilo Kalnu Karjers

How to get there

Getting there is easy! You can travel by car, bike, or train from Riga. The nearest city to the National Park is Ikšķile, which is approximately 30 km away from Riga. There are many trains that go from Riga to Ikšķile. Once you reach Ikšķile, you can find the last supermarket where you can buy food and drinks before heading to the park. From there, follow the street called Ezera iela for about 5 km, and you will see many small houses used by locals.

About the Zilo Kalnu Karjers hike

A hiker rests in a hammock between trees above a snow-covered landscape at Zilo Kalnu Karjers

Once you reach the Ezera iela, you will walk through a great forest before arriving at the beginning of the National Park, where you will find a helpful map. Just follow the trail, and after a while, you will see the big lake called Dubkalnu Karjers. The lake is very beautiful, and during the winter, it freezes, making the view impressive! During the summer, you can enjoy swimming in the lake.

After walking around 500 meters from the lake, you will see an observation tower called Ogres Zilo kalnu skatu tornis, which is 30 meters high. From the tower, you can enjoy a perfect view of the National Park. Remember to carry around 2 liters of water with you as there isn’t any water source nearby.

If you want to escape the city crowd, Zilo Kalnu Karjers National Park is the perfect getaway destination. I strongly suggest you visit this place.