Langstiņi offers two distinct ways to plan a trip: exploring the history of the holiday village on Langstiņu ezers and walking a circular route around the entire lake. Even before the First World War, Langstiņi developed into a holiday village, with summer houses on the southern and southeastern shores. When planning your trip, it is therefore important to decide whether you want to focus on local history, the route around the lake or a visit to the swimming area.

The holiday village’s history and wartime period

On the southern and southeastern shores of Langstiņu ezers, Langstiņi began developing into a holiday village with summer houses even before the First World War. During the First World War, the Russian army dug an anti-tank ditch connecting Langstiņi with Baltezers. These are two distinct chapters: its development as a summer destination before the war and the military disruption during the war. If you are interested in the history of the area, you can focus on this chronology rather than treating the summer houses and the ditch as part of the same chapter.

The lake as a walking destination

Langstiņu ezers is a flow-through lake in Garkalnes pagasts, Ropažu novads. “Pastaiga Langstiņos” is a circular walking trail that goes around the entire lake. The route therefore has a clear form: it makes a complete circuit of the lake. There is also a swimming area at Langstiņu ezers, in Garkalnes pagasts, Ropažu novads. These two options offer different ways to spend your time: one is a complete walk around the lake, while the other is a visit to a swimming area. First decide which activity you want to shape your trip around; this will help you plan your day according to your interests without combining both destinations into a single activity.

Getting there by bike or bus, and parking

A section of the Berģi–Upesciems–Langstiņi cycle path, completed in 2017, leads to a tunnel beneath the Sigulda road. If you are planning a specific cycling trip, check the current route before setting out. Visitor information dated August 12, 2024, lists bus 28 for travel from Riga to Langstiņu ezers. The terminus stops are Jugla and Langstiņi; you can get off at Mediķu iela, Krievupes iela or Langstini. Check the timetable and the stop that suits your visit before departure. There is a parking lot at the recreation area on Krievupes iela. Before setting out, check whether it is available for your visit.

When choosing accommodation, it helps to first decide what you want to focus on: learning about the area’s history, walking around the lake or visiting the swimming area. Then check which travel option suits your plans. This way, your decision to visit Langstiņi is based on the specific activities you want to prioritize there.

Discover more destinations: Garkalne, Upesciems, Priedkalne, Sunīši, Baltezers, Bukulti

Go to the main travel overview: Garkalnes Novads.