Kaive offers several distinct themes for a stay: oak sculptures in the park, views of Kaives ezers, a walk along the stream, and cultural and historical sites in the surrounding area. When planning, it is worth distinguishing between the offerings: by the lake there is a swimming area, playground and fire pit; advance reservations are required for the 3×9 Herbal Nature Trail.

Sculptures and Lake Views in the Park

Kaives muižas parks features oak sculptures created in 2006 by sculptors from Latvia and other countries during the “Koks un cirvis” symposium. From the park, you can see the open-air stage and, beyond it, Kaives ezers, which is surrounded by birch trees. The park’s two points of interest are clearly distinct: the sculptures commemorate an international symposium, while the view brings the stage and lake together in one vista.

Facilities at Kaives ezers

Kaives ezers has an equipped swimming area, a playground and a fire pit. The swimming area makes the lake a focus in its own right for a stay by the water; the playground and fire pit complement the available facilities. If you plan to use them during your visit, check their condition in advance, as they may be maintained or altered.

A Walk Along the Stream and Herbs from Piebalga

The 3×9 Herbal Nature Trail offers a different focus from the lake: you can walk along the Dzirnupīte stream. Advance reservations are required. So only include the trail in your day’s plans once your reservation has been confirmed. The herb theme also includes the “3×9 Zālītes” farm, where blends and single-variety herbal teas are made from hand-picked herbs gathered from the meadows of Piebalga. While the trail invites you to walk along the stream, the farm focuses on processing meadow herbs.

Culture at the Hall and Living Craft Traditions

The hall at Kaives Tautas nams has equipment for 3D film screenings. This is a different cultural focus from the sculptures in the park: here, the emphasis is on cinema technology, while there it is on oak woodwork. Craft activities have also been part of cultural events in Kaives pagasts. On 18 April 2026, a workshop on making bracelets using knotting and beadwork was held as part of the recurring nationwide event “Satiec savu meistaru!” It was led by Inese Suta; the event was being held for the 18th time that year and aimed to preserve cultural heritage.

Nature and Cultural Sites in the Surrounding Area

Different landscape features come together in other parts of Kaives pagasts. The Ogre runs for about 12 km through a low-lying floodplain there. In the southern part of the pagasts lies about 270 ha of Palšu purvs, a specially protected natural area of European importance. The floodplain along the river and the protected area thus represent different aspects of the natural landscape.

Cultural and historical sites also add to the picture of the surrounding area. Jaunantēnu rija in Jaunantēni, Kaives pagasts, is listed as a state-designated architectural monument. The Leimaņu manor complex with its park in Kaives pagasts is considered culturally and historically significant. The rija and manor complex are classified differently from the river landscape and protected area, giving visitors looking beyond Kaive a distinct architectural and cultural history focus.

Discover more destinations: Vecpiebalga, Dzērbene, Greiveri.

Go to the main travel overview: Vecpiebalgas Novads.