Pape Lake Trail
Recommended starting point: At the Pape canal in the village of Pape . Rekomenduojamas atspirties taškas: Prie Papės kanalo Papės kaime
+371 29134903
GPR 56.15068 , 21.03084
Duration of Visit: 8 – 9 hours
Length:
- Small Loop: 32 km (hiking trail only)
- Large Loop: 36 km (with visits to sightseeing spots)
Signage: Directional posts
Fee: Visiting the wild horse and bison grazing areas has a fee – 4 EUR
Type: Circular
Surface: Well-trodden trail, forest road, gravel road
The trail runs around Lake Pape. The lake itself is a shallow, lagoon-type water body with brackish water vegetation. It is very shallow, with an average depth of only 0.5 meters. Along the way, you will see various points of interest, such as: a bird watching tower, bird hide, Paurupe and Līgupes, beaver ponds, floodplain meadows, a sacred grove, the sacrificial stone of Ezerskola, Pape polder meadows, black alder, pine, and spruce forests, an ornithological station, and the Pape lighthouse.
The trail does not run directly along the lake shore, but it can be accessed at certain points by slightly deviating from the trail. It is especially recommended to visit the wild horse and bison grazing area, one of the most notable sights along the route (tickets can be purchased at the information kiosk at the entrance). Here, you can also access the lake shore, offering a truly impressive surreal landscape.
If you visit all the sights along the trail, the actual length of the route is approximately 36 km. Therefore, it is recommended to choose comfortable shoes for covering the long distance. Some sections of the trail, particularly in the southern and northern parts of the lake, can be wet in the spring and autumn. Depending on the season, there may be many mosquitoes and midges, so it is recommended to dress accordingly and use insect repellent.