Health Route: The Secrets of Veckuldīga Hillfort

HEALTH ROUTE

An easy health route that allows you to enjoy the most beautiful landscapes of the Venta River as well as explore the mysterious Veckuldīga Hillfort.

The route begins on the left bank of the Venta River. In the first section, it follows the Pārventa walking trail, allowing you to stretch your legs while admiring the panorama of Kuldīga’s old town. The route then continues through Kuldīga, revealing views of the Alekšupīte waterfall, romantic cobbled streets with historic houses, and more modern architecture. Later, the trail winds along the Venta River, offering the chance to view the river’s bends from above the bank. Soon the path runs right along the riverbank, crossing a meadow and eventually leading to Veckuldīga Hillfort. To reach it, you must pass through a short section of trail that feels almost like a jungle. After visiting the legend- and mystery-filled Veckuldīga Hillfort—about which there are more questions than answers—the route continues through a countryside landscape where horses graze in the meadows and local residents grow produce in their small gardens.

Length: 9 km
Difficulty level: Low
Route type: Circular
Surface: rural trails, gravel paths and roads, wooden boardwalks, asphalt, cobblestone

Since this is a health route, participants are encouraged to perform ten exercises along the way (see the image gallery). You can choose the locations for performing the exercises according to your preference.

NATURE RESERVE “VENTA VALLEY”

The health route passes through the Venta Valley Nature Reserve, which was established in 1957 and has been part of the European network of protected areas Natura 2000 since 2004. The reserve was created to preserve habitat diversity, protect rare plant and animal species, and safeguard landscapes as well as natural and cultural heritage sites. The health route provides an opportunity to appreciate both the natural values of the area and its cultural-historical heritage. If you are observant enough, the richness of the reserve may reveal itself in full.

The reserve is named after its main hydrological feature—the Venta River. In the 17th and 18th centuries, the river served as an important waterway to Kuldīga, and it was used for timber floating until the mid-1960s. The river plays a vital role in sustaining many habitats and species by providing unique environmental conditions. The Venta is famous for its “flying fish,” which leap over Ventas Rumba waterfall while migrating upstream in search of better spawning grounds. In spring, vimba fish “fly,” while in autumn it is salmon. In addition, trout, river and brook lampreys, pike, bream, roach, tench, carp, and other fish species can be found in the Venta.

Although fifteen protected habitats of European importance have been identified in the Venta Valley Nature Reserve, the most significant include slope and ravine forests, dry grasslands on calcareous soils, and sandstone outcrops. Rare plant species found here include wild garlic, chives, Asperula tinctoria, wall ferns, and others. Among the animals recorded are swallowtail butterflies, reddish-brown longhorn beetles, rose chafers, ospreys, marsh harriers, kingfishers, and more. The best bird-watching spots are found where the Venta is lined with reeds and the banks are densely covered with shrubs.

Ventas Rumba, one of the most popular tourist attractions in Latvia, is also the most significant geological natural feature in the Venta Valley Nature Reserve. The width of the waterfall varies depending on the water level in the Venta, but one thing is certain—Ventas Rumba is the widest waterfall in Europe. As the water gradually erodes the rocks forming the waterfall, Ventas Rumba slowly moves upstream.

Several cultural and historical monuments are located within the reserve. The most well-known is the old brick bridge across the Venta, built in 1847. According to the standards and needs of that time, the bridge was wide enough for two horse-drawn carriages to pass each other. The old brick bridge of Kuldīga was once among the most modern bridges of its type in Europe and today remains one of the city’s symbols. Remnants of a canal on the right bank of the Venta near Mārtiņsala testify to historical attempts to create a navigation route above Ventas Rumba. Even older history is represented by Veckuldīga Hillfort, the largest known hillfort in the Kuldīga region.

To ensure that the natural riches of the Venta Valley Nature Reserve are preserved for future generations, they must be treated with care and respect.

Remember: Waste does not disappear in nature—what you bring with you, take back with you. If you see litter left by others, please help by taking care of it as well.

The health route was created within the framework of the project “Development of complex infrastructure and habitat management measures in the nature reserve ‘Venta Valley’” (No. 5.4.3.2/22/A/011). The project was implemented with co-financing from the European Union Cohesion Fund.