Zaķi is easy to place on the Forest Trail: Section 11 ends here, while Section 12 follows the Zaķi–Zvārtava–Gaujiena route. When planning, it makes a difference whether Zaķi is the end of one stage or the starting point for the next section described. The trail passes through distinctive landscapes; the section ending in Zaķi also lies within the Ziemeļgauja protected landscape area, a Natura 2000 site. Heading towards Zvārtava adds a distinct cultural focus: the castle and the museum housed there. One practical point to note is that there are no services in Zaķi along Section 11.

Forest Trail: Stages and Landscape

Section 11 runs from the Spicu Bridge to Zaķi, using small forest roads, trails and gravel roads. Section 12 follows the Zaķi–Zvārtava–Gaujiena route. Taken together, these two descriptions mark Zaķi as a transition point in the sequence of stages: the eleventh stage ends there, while the next route description names Zaķi as its starting point. When planning, you can therefore distinguish between walking as far as Zaķi and continuing on towards Zvārtava and Gaujiena.

The Forest Trail leads to the four Kokši lakes, located about 4 km from Spicu Bridge. This approximate distance is measured from Spicu Bridge. The route also crosses the Cirgaļi dune massif from north to south. The lakes and the dune massif provide two distinct landscape references for the route description: a specific group of lakes and a north–south crossing of the dune area.

The section of the Forest Trail that ends in Zaķi lies within the “Ziemeļgauja” protected landscape area, which is also designated as a Natura 2000 site. The protected-area designation and landscape features are therefore among the specific points of reference for this part of the trail.

Zvārtava Castle and Museum

Zvārtava Castle was built in 1881 and is a state-protected cultural monument of national significance. The Latvian Artists’ Union Museum is housed in the castle. Zvārtava also features along Section 12 of the Forest Trail. This means that, alongside the stages and landscapes, the castle and museum offer a distinct cultural focus.

One route description gives a specific landmark 1.5 km after Zaķi: there, the route leaves the Sēļi–Vireši (P23) road and follows a small rural road towards Zvārtava. The castle appears at the end of a long tree-lined avenue.

Connections and Accommodation Planning

There are no services in Zaķi along Section 11. Plan your logistics and accommodation in advance, and check local arrangements before setting out, as availability may change. Take this into account when planning your route, whether you intend to end a stage in Zaķi or continue from there.

The Smiltene–Gaujiena bus route connects Zaķi with Aumeisteri, Zvārtava and Gaujiena. If you plan to use this connection, check the timetable before setting out. This will help you match the listed connections between places to your walking itinerary, rather than planning solely on the basis of shared place names.

Discover more destinations: Ērģeme, Valka, Omuļi, Turna.

Return to the regional travel overview: Valkas Novads.