Hike from Base "Ods" - Ķīburi
Distance: ~15 km
Route type: Circular
Start: Recreation base "ODS" or Ķīburi
Duration: 4 – 5 hours
Accessibility: On foot
Surface: Gravel roads, off-road, unmarked forest trails (~4 km)
Getting there: The easiest way to reach the start is by car, which can be left at the "ODS" recreation base if pre-notified. Alternatively, you can use an intercity bus and travel to the "Ķīburi" stop.
Route description:
This route travels along country roads, gravel roads, and scenic forest trails along the Bārta River and Ķīburi stream. There are three places where you will need to cross a ditch or a small river, but as we know, challenges make adventures memorable. It is recommended to start the route from Bārta. The section along the Bārta River starts at the "ODS" recreation base and leads all the way to the Dūkupji waterfall. The trail along the river's bank is partially marked and will take you through the former "Neptūns" recreation base. Another highlight of this route is the Ķīburi stream, which is hidden deep in the forest and will reveal its secrets only to brave travelers. The Ķīburi stream will truly surprise with its views and the seemingly untouched forest that embraces it like a warm blanket.
Rest spots marked on the map:
(1) "ODS" Recreation Base
(3) Rest area near the Dūkupji waterfall.
Sights:
(12) Vīles Bridge – As we see it today, it is not quite the same as the one built by the Germans in 1916. The first bridge was made of wood. When the railway was being constructed, several sawmills were established near the future line, where materials were sawn on-site, including those for the new bridge. The entire bridge structure rested on four wooden supports in the Bārta River, with 600 mm narrow railway tracks placed on top.
(13) Dūkupji Waterfall – Height: ~2.2 meters. About 10,000 years ago, there was an approximately 1-kilometer thick ice layer in this area. As the glacier moved, it carried rocks and minerals from the area it passed over. Later, as the glacier gradually melted and its movement slowed, the transported rocks settled on the Earth's surface. This led to the formation of moraines, or glacial deposits, which cover a vast area of Latvia today. After the glacier retreated, rivers in Latvia encountered this rock material and created numerous waterfalls that cascaded over the moraine. Today, such natural formations are rare and are found only in the Baltics.