Around Usma Lake

The route allows you to enjoy the landscapes around Usma Lake over a distance of 50 km, crossing three municipalities.

Usma Lake is the sixth largest lake in Latvia, covering 34.692 km². Its shores are indented and pointy, each with its own unique name – Godeļdanga, Bukdanga, Ķuņķrags, Dižgabalrags, and others. Ten rivers flow into the lake, and one – the Engure River – flows out. The lake has seven islands, including Moricsala, home to the Moricsala Nature Reserve, the second oldest in Europe, established in 1912.

A great starting point for this adventure is the Usmas Meķi Recreation Base, where you can park your car and rent bicycles if needed. Another recommended starting point is Usma Village.

The route follows small country and forest roads. In dry summers, some sections may be sandy and bumpy. The best picnic and swimming spots are located on the eastern shore of the lake at local tourist accommodations and campgrounds, and there is also a well-equipped beach in Usma Village. Tourist sites are evenly spaced around the lake, allowing for a journey with short breaks to explore the surroundings.

Along the way, you can stop at the 26 m high Ūdru Hill Observation Tower, offering panoramic views of the lake, its islands, the Usma Basin, and the surrounding forests. On clear days, you can even spot Stende, Mundigciems, and Talsi. The beautiful scenery is enhanced by the white sails of yachts cruising the lake, docking at the nearby marina, which has been operating for nearly 50 years.

The route also passes two Usma churches: one in Renda Parish, built on the foundations of the original wooden church, which now stands in the Latvian Ethnographic Open-Air Museum, and the other in Usma Village, the newest church in the area. This wooden church with a shingle roof is open to visitors during daylight hours.

For those wishing to spend more time exploring the area and enjoying the active and water-based recreational opportunities, we recommend splitting the route into a two-day adventure, spending the night at one of the campgrounds along the lake.